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.

  • Today, the B-2 Stealth bomber is capable of delivering 1,280 times the destructive power that the Enola Gay brought to bear on Hiroshima in 1945. On a scale, what does that look like? And, more to the point isn’t it a little excessive? Take a look below and judge for yourself. If you make it all the way, leave a comment and let us know what you think.

    January 13, 2012 - By Peter Fedewa
  • Today, standing with his top military officials, President Obama rolled out new guidance that realigns the Pentagon toward today’s strategic realities.

    January 5, 2012 - By Ben Loehrke
  • It's been a memorable year in nuclear policy. From Fukushima to Iran, the world was reminded just how dangerous nuclear technology can be. But hope continues to remain amidst the challenges. As the year draws to a close, here's a look back at some of the hottest nuclear stories of 2011.

    December 28, 2011 - By Margaret Swink
  • Nuclear weapons are inherently the stuff of national policy. Making change to how we think about nuclear weapons, then, requires changing the policies that surround them as well as addressing the socio-political roots behind them.

    December 23, 2011 - By admin
  • The debate over the extent to which the U.S.

    December 20, 2011 - By Joel Rubin
  • A glance at recent headlines would lead one to conclude the US-Russian relationship has headed south --fast. But while Prime Minister Putin accuses Secretary Clinton of inciting protests, and President Medvedev threatens to restart the arms race, quiet diplomacy carries on between the two nations.

    December 15, 2011 - By admin
  • Experts and policymakers from across the political spectrum agree that there are billions of dollars in savings to be found in the budget for nuclear weapons and their related programs. In a time of fiscal austerity, our country needs to understand the full cost of these programs.

    December 12, 2011 - By admin
  • In Washington, it seems everything is a partisan issue these days. From government spending to immigration laws, tax policy to war strategy, policymakers are trapped in a partisan gridlock.

    December 9, 2011 - By admin
  • In a recent article, Jeffrey Lewis of Arms Control Wonk outlined what could happen to U.S. nuclear forces under a sequestration budget. He illustrates that even with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta’s so-called “doomsday” cuts to nuclear weapons related activities, the U.S. could still field enough warheads to greatly surpass the limits put in place by New START.

    What could that “doomsday” look like if the U.S. maximized its nuclear forces? (View at full size)

    December 5, 2011 - By Peter Fedewa
  • This week, a lively debate has broken out around how much our nation actually spends on maintaining our nation's nuclear arsenal. It's a refreshing level of scrutiny on a pocket of  spending that has been largely unaccountable. 

    December 1, 2011 - By admin