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Ploughshares Blog: Obama

Bringing Lasting Change to U.S. Nuclear Posture
  On the radar: Implementing the nuclear posture review; the Limits of sanctions; MDA’s new director; Udall-Kyl on NNSA reform; Talbott on Obama’s 2nd term, legacy; and Vintage Bulletin covers.   Read more »
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Posted on November 21, 2012
Nuclear Policy After the Election
On the radar: Outlook for 2nd term Obama, Romney the Hawk, or Moderate Mitt; After the reset; Reengaging the North; Trouble with Islamabad; Too late for B-61; and Debating the IAEA’s legal standards on Iran. Read more »
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Posted on November 6, 2012
Outlook for Iran Policy After the Election
  On the radar: Walt previews the next 4 years; Iran’s conversion; Domestic politics; Trident could go down to Georgia; Missile Crisis remembered on Halloween; Internal views on Iran’s economic plight; Paying for CTR; Obama record on Poland; and Cheaters still not prospering.   Read more »
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Posted on November 1, 2012
Nuclear Policy and the Next Administration
  On the radar: Obama’s nuclear record, budget generosity; Positions and context for a Romney administration; Russia goes for a heavy; Different rules for Asian arms race; Putin’s exercises; and Photos from the Y-12 break in.   Read more »
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Posted on October 23, 2012
The Value of Talks with Iran
  On the radar: Talk of talks with Iran; Candidates’ opportunity on arms control; Tell me how this ends; Russia tests triad; Ohio by way of Virginia; Toward a modern US nuclear posture; Lessons on Iran from 50 years ago; Russia sells missiles to India; and Palomares still not cleaned up.   Read more »
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Posted on October 22, 2012
Cost Explosions Upsetting Relationship Between Labs and Pentagon
On the radar: New DoD-NNSA dynamic; Obama’s WMD redline on Syria; Missile defense spending is going to stagnate; the Emerging U.S. military position on Iran; Developments in Israeli debate; Elliott Abrams advocates steps leading to war; and Iran IAEA personnel in danger?   Read more »
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Posted on August 21, 2012
Cutting the Nuclear Stockpile in 2012?
The ratification of New START by the U.S. and Russia set a new ceiling for deployed strategic nuclear weapons at 1,550 in each country. Given the cost of maintaining these weapons and their lack of utility on the modern battlefield, the U.S. could (and should) go even lower. Read more »
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Posted by Peter Fedewa on May 18, 2012
infographic, International security, Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Zero, President, Russia, Obama, United States
Building Global Security, One Summit at a Time
Nuclear terrorism ranks at the top of many national security experts lists of possible nightmares. It’s hard to overstate the damage that could be caused by even a small nuclear weapon in one of the world’s major population centers. But just as terrorism has become a global phenomenon, efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism has to be a global effort. Thankfully, it is. Read more »
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Posted by Margaret Swink on March 22, 2012
Japan, North Korea, Arms Control Association, food aid, Prague Agenda, South Korea, Obama
Obama's Turn on Nuclear Weapons
When U.S. President Barack Obama took to the podium during a rare visit to the Pentagon early last month, he announced a new strategy for the country's military posture abroad. The United States would shift from being able to fight two major wars simultaneously to increasing its focus on Asia. But the president also explained that reductions in the U.S. nuclear arsenal would be key to future defense: "We will continue to get rid of outdated Cold War-era systems," he said, "so that we can invest in the capabilities we need for the future." Read more »
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Posted by Joe Cirincione on February 2, 2012
Department of Defense, Joe Cirincione, new start, Nuclear Budget, Nuclear Policy Guidance, Obama, United States
@plough_shares meets @whitehouse
It’s not every day that you get to ask questions of the White House and expect an instant answer. Today, however, that’s exactly the opportunity that we have. Read more »
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Posted by Joel Rubin on November 18, 2011
Jon Carson, Partners, President, Social media, Twitter, White House Office of Public Engagement, Obama