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 […]
Triangular Tensions: U.S., China and the Emerging Russia-North Korea Alliance
By Sarah Kirchner-Barney Alignment between Russia and North Korea has grown with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting Pyongyang on June 19 for the first time in 24 years to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The Putin-Kim Summit was supposed to be a two-day affair but was cut short, as Putin was held […]
There won’t be a debate on nuclear issues this election cycle. But if there were…
By John Erath Thus far, nuclear weapons have not figured prominently into the issues playing a role in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. They should. Whether involving Russian nuclear blackmail, China increasing its arsenal or questions about the future of the U.S. deterrent, how the President addresses nuclear issues between 2025 and 2029 will have […]
House of WMD – Season 2: Team Black vs. Team Green
By John Erath In 2022, the HBO series House of the Dragon premiered, and I posted an item on this blog discussing the show, in particular the role of dragons as a metaphor for nuclear weapons. Not surprisingly, I received more comments about that post than most of the others I’ve done. More people, it […]
What If There Were No Diplomatic Solution?
By John Erath with Sarah Kirchner-Barney “We prefer a diplomatic solution.” This is inevitably the first sentence uttered by a U.S. government spokesperson in response to any international crisis. And with good reason. What would be the alternative to a diplomatic solution? Another war with no end in sight? Obviously, resolving issues without resorting to violence would be […]