Nuclear Weapons
Reagan and Gorbachev sign the INF Treaty (1987). Reagan library.
RECENT ANALYSIS
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Jun 29, 2010
Why the latest US-Russian arms control agreement is only a START
The ‘New START’ Treaty signed by Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev in Prague on 8 April 2010 is an important step in the renewed drive for nuclear disarmament, but its overall contribution towards the goal of a world free from nuclear weapons should not be overstated writes Andrew Futter in this new analysis. -
Jun 1, 2010
John Isaacs Speaks in Malaysia
However you feel about the role of the United States in initiating the atomic age, whatever you think of the long American and Soviet arms race, it is my firm belief that the United States must provide leadership to end the nuclear arms race – and move towards a world free of nuclear weapons, said John Isaacs in a speech delivered in Malaysia on 2 June 2010. -
May 20, 2010
GOP Critics vs. the Pentagon
A distressing trend has developed in relation to the politicization of U.S. nuclear weapons policy - President Obama is criticized, while Pentagon support for the president is ignored. In short, there is a pattern emerging of selective and misleading outrage, with partisan critics caricaturizing Obama's policies while neglecting to mention or acknowledge that the policies he is advancing enjoy the strong support of the nation's military leadership, writes General Robert Gard in the Lexington Herald-Leader. - See more articles »
START Resource Center
Click here to read "Strengthening U.S. Security Through Non-Proliferation and Arms Control: Recommendations for the Obama Administration"
2009-2010 College Debate Topic on Nuclear Weapons: A Guide to Background Materials, Publications, & Organizations
By the late 1960s, it became apparent that while the arms race between the United States and Soviet Union was yielding thousands of additional nuclear weapons, it was not leading to greater security for either country or the world at-large.
Thus, in 1968, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as the NPT, was opened for signature. In addition to establishing an international commitment to nonproliferation, the NPT laid the groundwork for eventual disarmament by all existing nuclear states. This disarmament vision was embodied in Article VI, which called upon signatories to negotiate "effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race" as well as "general and complete disarmament."
The NPT served as a prelude to the first round of Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT I) between the U.S. and Soviet Union. On May 26, 1972, SALT I produced bilateral pledges to freeze at existing levels the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers possessed by each country and to take other steps to mitigate the arms race. Most notably, SALT I also produced the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty banning missile defense systems as well as an interim agreement on strategic offensive arms.
In the past 30 years, various important agreements were negotiated and signed between the United States, Soviet Union (and its successor states), and other parties to reduce strategic nuclear stockpiles. These include the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Strategic Arms Reduction Talks I (START I) and the Lisbon Protocol, Strategic Arms Reduction Talks II (START II), Strategic Arms Reduction Talks III (START III), and the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT or Moscow Treaty).
FY2010 BUDGET ANALYSIS
Oct 21, 2009 Analysis of FY 2010 Defense Authorization Conference Agreement (HR 2647)
Jun 2, 2009 Obama Nuclear Nonproliferation Budget Disappointing
May 15, 2009 President Obama’s First Budget Shortchanges Nunn-Lugar
May 8, 2009 Analysis of the Fiscal Year 2010 Pentagon Spending Request: May "Full Request"
Feb 26, 2009 Fiscal Year 2010 Pentagon Defense Spending Request: February "Topline"
ARTICLES & FACT SHEETS
Jun 1, 2010 John Isaacs Speaks in Malaysia
Apr 19, 2010 Young Voices Critical to Advancing Nuclear Security
Dec 10, 2009 Nuclear Weapons: The Modernization Myth
Dec 9, 2009 Fact Sheet: 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference
Dec 9, 2009 Fact Sheet: 2010 Global Nuclear Security Summit
Dec 3, 2009 Pruning the Nuclear Triad? Pros and Cons of Bombers, Missiles, and Submarines
Nov 12, 2009 For Safety, Ban Nuclear Tests
Nov 2, 2009 How to Ratify the Test Ban Treaty
Jul 15, 2009 Factsheet on the Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT)
Jul 2, 2009 Backgrounder on Obama-Medvedev July 2009 Moscow Summit
Jun 22, 2009 Factsheet on the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty
Apr 16, 2009 A Strategy for Achieving Senate Approval of the CTBT
Nov 14, 2008 Understanding and Preventing Nuclear Terrorism
Apr 15, 2008 Potential U.S. Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) Fact Sheet
Apr 15, 2008 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) Fact Sheet
ADDITIONAL READING
- Congressional Research Service, "U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Development, and Issues," updated August 5, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program: Background and Current Developments," updated July 23, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban-Treaty: Background and Current Developments," updated May 28, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements," updated April 9, 2008.