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Between them, the United States and Russia still hold over 95% of the world's nuclear weapons. Reducing these stockpiles helps increase global stability, builds the international non-proliferation regime and reduces the chances that nuclear materials will fall into the hands of terrorists. Following is analysis and opinion from Ploughshares Fund staff, grantees and guests on the ongoing efforts to reduce nuclear weapons stockpiles in the U.S. and Russia.
Fukushima 2013 to 20013? Legacy of the Nuclear Age
Next week marks the second anniversary of the nuclear accident at the Fukushima reactors in Japan. Remember? The days and weeks we collectively crossed our fingers as heroic workers improvised and threw everything they could at melting reactors and damaged spent fuel pools to stave off disaster? Seems like a long time gone and Fukushima has, in our collective consciousness, faded into a historical nuclear footnote. “Close call,” we may think, “but the danger is over.” Not quite. In fact, not even close. Read more »
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Posted by Paul Carroll on March 7, 2013
Japan, Chernobyl, fukushima, Hanford, Nuclear Zero, Russia, Three Mile Island, Yucca Mountain, United States
Experts Discuss Non-Treaty Measures to Reduce Nuclear Risks
At an event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, James M. Acton, Steven Pifer and Elbridge Colby discussed measures outside of formal treaties that could reduce nuclear risks between the U.S. and Russia. Read more »
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Posted by Alyssa Demus on January 30, 2013
Partners, Russia, Steven Pifer, United States
Top 10 Books for Your 2013 Radioactive Reading Resolution
With a new year come exciting opportunities to expand your knowledge of nuclear issues. Since you have probably read through last year’s list (well done!) and our summer list (kudos!), we’re providing you with a brand new list to satisfy your reading resolution for 2013. Covering diverse topics from Hiroshima manga (Japanese graphic novels) to the development of the bomb in Pakistan there is something to satisfy the nuclear wonk in everyone. Read more »
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Posted by Jessica Sleight on January 22, 2013
Japan, Book Review, Entertainment, Nuclear Terrrorism, Nuclear Zero, Russia, Pakistan, Iran
The Lost Art of Compromise: Sustaining American Security in the 21st Century
On the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Foreign Policy published two compelling, yet opposing, viewpoints by Leslie Gelb and Stephen Sestanovich concerning the lessons learned from those thirteen fateful days. Read more »
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Posted by admin on December 3, 2012
Cuban Missile Crisis, Partners, Russia
North Korea Preparing for Rocket Launch
On the radar: Launch Dec. 10-22; New START data; Nuclear buildup?; Obama speaking at Nunn-Lugar event; New sanctions report; Exaggerated Iran fears; Senate votes for sanctions, over WH objections; and a Nuclear mascot. Read more »
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Posted on December 3, 2012
What the Cuban Missile Crisis Failed to Teach Us About Iran
With the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis at hand, a re-examination of the thirteen days of confrontation between the United States and Soviet Union has led to new interpretations of “the most dangerous moment in human history.” Read more »
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Posted by admin on November 27, 2012
Cuban Missile Crisis, Partners, Russia, Iran
Obama’s Arms Control Goals Likely to Fall Short
President Obama’s administration portrayed the 2010 nuclear arms reduction treaty—which provides modest cuts to US and Russian strategic arsenals—as a  means to “prime the pump” to achieve deeper and more comprehensive cuts down the road. But after enduring a grueling fight with Senate Republicans to ratify the treaty, the administration decided to table new talks with Russia until after the 2012 presidential elections, when the new political environment would make an agreement easier to achieve. Read more »
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Posted by admin on November 20, 2012
arms control, Nuclear Weapons, Partners, Russia
What Iron Dome Does Not Mean for Missile Defense
  On the radar: Iron Dome isn’t Star Wars; After the reset and the elections; Talking to Pyongyang in Naypyidaw; Possible Gold standard with Taiwan; Cyber vulnerabilities and nuclear security; and the 2012 Atomic Turkey Award.   Read more »
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Posted on November 20, 2012
The $640 Billion Question
On the radar: Cold War spending vs. 21st century realities; President sees window for diplomatic solution; What to expect from the IAEA report; French nuclear spending; Deterrence in S. Asia; and Talking past China. Read more »
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Posted on November 15, 2012
Countering Threat Inflation on China’s Arsenal
  On the radar: Confidence, not hype, on China’s stockpile numbers; Thawing in Moscow; Vali Nasr on negotiations; B-61 and NATO posture; Push for ratification; and Nuclear programs that weren’t.   Read more »
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Posted on November 14, 2012