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.

  • There are plenty of songs out there that reference some kind of nuclear holocaust but few, if any, are as up-tempo and cheerful as satirist Tom Lehrer’s “We will all go Together when We Go.” This performance was recorded in 1967, in the midst of the Cold War.

    March 5, 2012 - By Peter Fedewa
  • Ploughshares Fund is conducting interviews with some of our first donors - recording their stories of why they initially took a risk on Sally Lilienthal’s big idea. Board member and former Ploughshares executive director Gloria Duffy interviews Lew Butler, our first chairman of the board below....

    February 28, 2012 - By admin
  • It might not have received a nomination for Best Picture, but ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ is our stand out film this Oscar season.

    February 24, 2012 - By Megan Murphy
  • Ever since their remarkable op-ed "A World Free of Nuclear Weapons" hit the Wall Street Journal in 2007, the world has been fascinated by the continuing efforts of five former high-profile Cold Warriors to rid the world of nuclear weapons. A new book, The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and their Quest to Ban the Bomb, by former New York Times journalist Phil Taubman takes us behind the scenes of this remarkable group.

    February 21, 2012 - By admin
  • Washington is slowly moving toward tightening budgets and being smarter with its security dollars.

    February 14, 2012 - By Ben Loehrke
  • After months of work on the campaign to slash the nuclear weapons budget, the concept is firmly taking hold in Congress.

    February 9, 2012 - By Megan Murphy
  • 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."

    February 2, 2012 - By Joe Cirincione
  • Sometimes, it’s important to look at the big picture to get some perspective. In 2008, there was no New START treaty with Russia, Osama bin Laden remained at large plotting terrorist attacks with Al Qaeda, and Libyans were still under the dictatorial rule of Muammar Gaddaffi.

    January 31, 2012 - By Megan Murphy
  • Today, people in communities throughout the nation will stop for a moment to pause and remember the toll of the nation’s nuclear weapons testing program on downwind citizens. Some will take part in official ceremonies; others are small groups of downwinders coming together to do something as simple as light candles in memory of loved ones who have died. They’ve waited a long time to be officially recognized by the government that harmed them.

    January 26, 2012 - By Anonymous
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    January 25, 2012 - By Megan Murphy