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.

  • Cutting Where It Counts

     In January, then-Secretary of Defense Robert Gates warned us that government’s fiscal management might at some point become one of the nation’s largest threats to national security:

    August 9, 2011 - By Margaret Swink

  • Aspen Security Forum

    August 9, 2011 - By Ploughshares Fund

  • The Lesson of Fukushima, Hiroshima and Nagasaki

    August 8, 2011 - By Joe Cirincione

  • A Warhead’s Life

    The U.S. currently possesses nearly half of the world’s nuclear warheads. Each warhead type has its own story and takes its own path through the system. All of these warheads are born in the Department of Energy (DoE) and then reside with the Department of Defense (DoD). Many warheads eventually return to the DoE for dismantlement but some become “trapped” in the DoD through a seemingly endless cycle of upgrades, redeployments or storage in the stockpile.

    Below is an attempt to trace the path a warhead may take as it moves through the phases of its life-cycle (full view).

    August 5, 2011 - By Peter Fedewa

  • How the Debt Deal Creates an Opportunity to Cut Nuclear Weapons

    August 3, 2011 - By Joel Rubin

  • Willing an End to Nuclear Weapons

    Ann Krumboltz, Executive Director of the Brainerd Foundation in Seattle has a “big picture” perspective on what philanthropy can do – from achieving durable environmental protection to engaging civil society in addressing such issues.   She believes that “as a ‘boomer’ growing up in the nuclear age, it’s hard to imagine a better legacy than sustaining Ploughshares Fund’s inspired and groundbreaking approaches to ending nuclear weapons and conflict that could lead to their use.”

    July 26, 2011 - By Ploughshares Fund

  • The Global Costs of Nuclear Weapons

    July 21, 2011 - By Kelly Bronk

  • The Nuclear Cut at the Deficit

    This week, Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) released "Back in Black," a $9 trillion plan to reduce the U.S. national debt over ten years.

    July 19, 2011 - By Ben Loehrke

  • Aspen Security Forum

    July 18, 2011 - By Anonymous

  • How to Shave a Bundle Off the Deficit: Spend Less on Nukes

    Congress is in the midst of an intense debate over a massive defense spending bill, and budget negotiations between the Administration and congressional leaders are at a pivotal stage. One key part of our nation's budget must be on the table: nuclear weapons.

    July 15, 2011 - By Joe Cirincione