Nuclear Proliferation

Doomsday Detectives Battle Nuclear Terrorism

Greg Schnippel — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:56:23 -0800

The U.S. government has developed a suite of technologies that would enable it to determine the origin of a nuclear weapon used in an attack against the United States, according to a forthcoming book on America’s nuclear detectives.

Russia Says U.S. Seeks Weaker Treaty

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:05:21 -0800

Russia accused the United States on Friday of trying to weaken a landmark nuclear arms-control pact set to expire next year by removing limits on long-range missiles and bombers and demanding instead that a new agreement cover only warheads.

Panel Cites 'Tipping Point' On Nuclear Proliferation

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:09:38 -0800

The development of nuclear arsenals by both Iran and North Korea could lead to "a cascade of proliferation," making it more probable that terrorists could get their hands on an atomic weapon, according to an interim report from the U.S. Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States.

Official Stands by Iran Nuke Report

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:14:14 -0800

Thomas Fingar, the recently retired No. 2 U.S. intelligence official, defended a controversial year-old estimate on Iran, saying he stood by its conclusion that Iran suspended a nuclear-weapons program in 2003.

Ex-Leaders Launch Nuclear Disarmament Initiative

Greg Schnippel — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:28:46 -0800

A group of international leaders, including former heads of state and top diplomatic and defense officials, launched a new effort yesterday to eliminate all nuclear weapons.

Nuclear Weapons Decision Awaits Obama

Greg Schnippel — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:44:27 -0800

One of the most important national security decisions facing President-elect Barack Obama is whether to continue the hotly contested Bush administration plan to build the first new U.S. warheads since the end of the Cold War.

Strategic Command Chief Urges Quick Nuclear Weapons Modernization

Greg Schnippel — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:10:23 -0800

The leader of the U.S. Strategic Command said yesterday that "time is not on our side" to modernize the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile, particularly as China and Russia upgrade their nuclear warheads and delivery systems.

Iran Nears Nuclear Break-Out Capability, Report Says

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:32:31 -0800

Recent reports that Iran had enough material in its stocks of low-enriched uranium to build a nuclear weapon were premature, but Tehran is nevertheless only months away from that position if it continues to enrich at its 2009 rate, according to analysis from the Institute for Science and International Security.

Senior U.S. Official Doubts Conventional Global Strike Value

Greg Schnippel — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:33:58 -0800

A senior U.S. defense official last week cast doubt on the national security value of proposed conventional weapons capable of hitting targets anywhere around the world on short notice.

Sounding the Nuclear Alarm

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:38:55 -0800

USAF General Kevin Chilton, head of U.S. Strategic Command, argues that the current U.S. nuclear arsenal is in drastic need of a technological upgrade to ensure its reliability as the majority of the arsenal was built using technology from the 1950s.