by Emmy Tither* The sun began to rise over the ancient city. Outside the city’s walls, an encircling army marched silently for the seventh day, their footsteps synchronized, their faces resolute. On this final day, as the army’s priests blew their trumpets, a powerful, reverberating sound filled the air. Soldiers shouted in unison, the ground […]
Next Up in Arms Control
How Military Tritium Production in Civilian Reactors Can Further Non-proliferation Goals
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 […]
The Baltic Blueprint: A Modern Approach to NATO’s Deterrence
by Paulius Razukevicius* The world is facing potentially its most precarious moment since the end of the Cold War. China’s military and economic reach stretches across continents, sparking unease throughout the Euro-Atlantic region. In Eastern Europe, Ukraine remains a flashpoint, with conflict outcomes as uncertain as ever and Russia poised to disrupt the rules–based international […]
Lessons from South Africa: A New Strategy for Iran’s Nuclear Threat
by William Bittner* Iran is closer than ever to acquiring nuclear weapons. The risks to the international community are obvious—an arms race with the Gulf monarchies or theft by terrorists, to name just two—but so are the costs to Iran itself, which is already crippled by economic sanctions that have contributed to domestic unrest. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan […]
Printers of Mass Destruction: Seeking Pathways to Curb the Threat of Additive Manufacturing
by Ivan Siluianov* Today, the world is inundated with 3D-printed guns, which are used in major armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, and homicides. While UN member states are trying to address the impact of these weapons, one question arises: Are 3D-printers — barely regulated and widely accessible — capable of enabling the production of components for […]