United States

The United States invented nuclear weapons, operates the second largest nuclear force in the world and holds the dubious distinction of being the only country to use these weapons in combat. As a result, the U.S. has a special responsibility to lead the way in reducing its own nuclear weapons stockpile and calling for other nuclear armed nations to follow suite. Following is analysis and opinion from Ploughshares Fund staff, grantees and guests on the ongoing struggle to deal with nuclear weapons in the United States.

  • House Budget Committee cuts Obama's Foreign Affairs budget request

    The House Budget Committee is recommending a $5.35 billion cut from the Obama Administration’s international affairs budget request, in contrast with the Chairman’s recommendation to fund DOD at the full amount requested.

    March 25, 2009 - By Sarah Brown

  • Did Tehran really rebuff Obama?

    President Obama's Norooz message "initiated a much needed direct conversation between Iran and the U.S," writes  Dr.

    March 24, 2009 - By Sarah Brown

  • Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in effect

    On March 21, the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone (CANWFZ) Treaty formally entered into force.  Kazakhstan, which once possessed the world's fourth-largest nuclear stockpile, signed the pact along with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

    March 23, 2009 - By Sarah Brown

  • What Would Jefferson do?

    Foreign Policy blogger Laura Rozen turned to Ploughshares Fund's Joe Cirincine to put the news of Secretary of State Cl

    March 23, 2009 - By Deborah Bain

  • Obama makes special overture to Iran

    In a significant departure from the previous administration’s tone, President Obama welcomed "new beginnings" with Iran in a surprise video message marking Nowruz, the Iranian new year. The video does not specifically address the nuclear standoff, but instead recognizes the contribution of Iran's historical culture and calls on Tehran's leaders to turn a new page. "These challenges are interconnected and Obama gets that," said Ploughshares Fund President Joe Cirincione.

    March 20, 2009 - By Sarah Brown

  • Tauscher appointed to top arms control post

    Rep.

    March 20, 2009 - By Sarah Brown

  • Obama makes special overture to Iran

    In a significant departure from the previous administration’s tone, President Obama welcomed "new beginnings" with Iran in a surprise video message marking Nowruz, the Iranian new year. The video does not specifically address the nuclear standoff, but instead recognizes the contribution of Iran's historical culture and calls on Tehran's leaders to turn a new page. "These challenges are interconnected and Obama gets that," said Ploughshares Fund President Joe Cirincione.

    March 20, 2009 - By Joe Cirincione

  • Speech at the Elliott School

    Joe Cirincione spoke to a group on  the topic of "President Barack Obama's new nuclear policy" at the Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University.

    March 18, 2009 - By Joe Cirincione

  • MOX fuel plant has no customers

    The Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel fabrication plant being built in South Carolina is over budget, nearly a decade behind schedule, and now has an ever bigger problem: no customers for its reactor fuel made from surplus weapons plutonium.

    March 17, 2009 - By Deborah Bain

  • New analysis of miltary spending shows discord with space policy

    Although the Obama administration promises to "restore American leadership on space issues, seeking a worldwide ban on weapons that interfere with military and commercial satellites," a soon-to-be-released analysis by

    March 17, 2009 - By Sarah Brown