Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

Troops watch a nuclear test in Nevada in 1951
Nuclear Testing
Nuclear Testing

Discover expert resources on the history of nuclear testing provided by the Center. Trace key timelines across atmospheric and underground testing, examine lasting security and environmental impacts, and explore policy initiatives aimed at preventing a return to nuclear testing.

READ MORE
previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow

A nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to reducing and eventually eliminating the threats posed by nuclear, chemical and biological weapons through Congressional engagement and public education.

Countries

Learn about stockpiles of nuclear weapons and nuclear material around the globe.

Read More

Fact Sheets

Learn about nuclear weapons, defense spending, critical nuclear weapons treaties and more.

Read More

Experts

Former Members of Congress, diplomats, military officers, scientists and more.

Read More

Podcasts

From Godzilla to missile defense, take 25 minutes to learn more about nuclear weapons issues.

Read More

How ‘The Brink of War’ Calls Us to Action

by Emma Sandifer In 1986, with the Cold War winding down and the Soviet Union on its last legs, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev met in a tiny house on the coast of Reykjavik, Iceland, to decide whether there would be peace or war in the world.   The new movie, […]

Reflections On My Summer Internship: Lyle Seeligson

by Lyle Seeligson, Policy Intern, Summer 2026 My first conversation about nuclear weapons was with my mother.   It was 2008; I had just turned ten years old. She explained that we were in a war in a place called Iraq. She told me how the war had been started because we thought Iraq had dangerous weapons. She said I shouldn’t worry, though — those weapons […]

After Turning the War Around on Its Own, Ukraine Needs Support

by John Erath, Senior Policy Director Most of the media coverage of nuclear weapons issues in 2026 has focused on Iran for good reason. Iranian production of a nuclear weapon would affect peace and security in the Middle East and beyond. With the Trump administration seeming finally to settle on prevention of nuclear proliferation as […]

The United States has a responsibility to uphold non-proliferation norms. Here’s how it can.

By Conor Donlevy On December 2, 1942, Manhattan Project scientists working at the University of Chicago (including our sister organization’s founder, Leo Szilard) created the first sustained, man-made nuclear chain reaction underneath the stands of a football field using a pile of graphite and uranium. The reactor was dubbed the “Chicago Pile-1” and its success […]

Newsletter

Sign up for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation's monthly newsletter to get a rundown of top stories delivered to your inbox each month.