Building a future
beyond nuclear fear.
We are a hub where thought leaders, innovators, campaigners, and activists convene and take action to move us closer to a world free from nuclear threats.
Ploughshares is a relentless force committed to eliminating the threat of nuclear weapons. As the largest foundation singularly focused on reducing this danger, we grow and amplify the impact of the most effective advocates and organizations in the world through critical funding and trusted field building support.
Nuclear war affects everyone. We raise much-needed awareness to the perils of nuclear weapons development, testing, and use.
Latest from our Story Center
Beyond Maximalism: Rethinking U.S. Strategy Toward Iran
The U.S.-Iran war has exposed the failure of a decades-long strategy built on coercion, maximalist demands, and the pursuit of decisive victory. A more sustainable approach must focus on managing rivalry, reducing nuclear and regional risks, and building a durable cold peace. Launched in February 2026, the U.S.-Iran war fundamentally altered the strategic landscape of…
Global Nuclear Risk with Dr. Emma Belcher | C-SPAN — VIDEO
On June 30, 2026, Ploughshares President Dr. Emma Belcher was interviewed by Mimi Geerges live on C-Span about “Global Nuclear Nonproliferation Efforts”-the US-Iran war’s impact on nuclear risk, the importance of verification processes, and the broader global nuclear stockpile. Plus, Dr. Belcher takes live caller questions on North Korea, tailored inspections, and much more. Watch…
Nuclear Weapons Spending and its Staggering Opportunity Costs
The opportunity cost of nuclear weapons spending is staggering. In ICAN’s recently released “Premeditated: Nuclear Weapons Spending in 2025” report, we juxtaposed astronomical increases in nuclear weapons spending and a humanitarian landscape that is struggling with budget cuts. In 2025, nuclear-armed states spent a record $119 billion on nuclear arms. Meanwhile, more than 22 million…
NukeTalk Podcast
The most recent season of NukeTalk is the Nuclear Movie Club. Catch up on the season here.
9 countries in the world possess nuclear weapons.
Of the approximately 12,121 weapons that exist today, the United States and Russia have a combined total of 10,624, accounting for over 90 percent of the world’s nuclear arsenal.
