The author looks at recent nuclear 'near-misses' and urges more attention to be paid by the public and presidential candidates to the risk of accidental or inadvertent nuclear war. As a solution, he looks at the proposals for "dealerting" put forward by Dr. Bruce Blair of the World Security Institute.

The United States and Russia could take thousands of strategic nuclear warheads off hair-trigger alert by introducing an early warning system of sensors that monitor each other's land-based intercontinental missiles, according to former senator Sam Nunn, who once was chairman of the Armed Services Committee.

A fascinating and far-ranging interview with the Pulitzer prize-winning nuclear historian, Richard Rhodes. He discusses nuclear energy policy, nuclear disarmament, and the possibility of greater transparency.

Defense Minister Sergei B. Ivanov of Russia warned today that the American proposal in arms reduction talks to "warehouse" excess warheads instead of destroying them would not only encourage nuclear proliferation, but could even set off a new kind of arms race.

The commander of U.S. strategic nuclear forces has forcefully, though indirectly, challenged President Bush\'s plan to slash the number of warheads and take intercontinental ballistic missiles off \"hair-trigger\" alert.

Jayantha Dhanapala, the Under-Secretary-General for the Department for Disarmament Affairs at the United Nations, argues for global efforts to de-alert nuclear missiles and answers criticisms.

Bruce Blair, Harold A. Feiveson, and Frank N. von Hippel argue for nuclear de-alerting. \"It is time to end the practice of keeping nuclear missiles constantly ready to fire. This change would greatly reduce the possibility of a mistaken launch.\"