by Taylor Loy* Tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, is an essential component of most advanced nuclear weapons designs and has typically been produced in secure military facilities. Only a few grams of tritium per warhead are needed to boost nuclear weapon yields significantly. Tritium’s relatively short half-life means that it needs renewal more often […]
Op-ed: China’s military mishaps don’t add up to strategic weakness
Research Analyst Shawn Rostker wrote an op-ed in Asia Times about how U.S. policymakers can use Chinese military setbacks as an opportunity for dialogue. From waterlogged missiles to a sinking submarine, recent reports about China’s military setbacks have fueled speculation about the readiness and strength of its military forces. While these developments highlight real challenges within China’s […]
Playing With Fire Is Dangerous
By John Erath On August 11, news broke out of a fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine. Both the Russian and Ukrainian governments immediately blamed each other, but, as with previous incidents, it seems absurd that Ukraine would risk a nuclear incident on its own territory, whereas Russia celebrates its history […]
Fact Sheet: The U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise/Nuclear Weapons Complex
The U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, formerly known as the nuclear weapons complex, encompasses nine government-owned, contractor-operated sites across seven states. Additionally, it includes a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) nuclear reactor facility dedicated to tritium production. Across these nine sites, the facilities comprise three laboratories, five plants for component fabrication and materials production, an assembly and […]
5 Potential Points for Bipartisanship on Nuclear Issues in 2024
By John Erath That 2024 is an election year in the United States will come as no more of a surprise than the usual partisan bickering and the inevitable portrayals of the other side as dangerous to national security. As someone who served presidents of both parties for three decades, I want to offer an […]
