Readings and resources on nuclear weapons issues

The final opinion paper for The Unstable Nucleus should be on some topic related to nuclear weapons.   While nuclear weapons policy may seem intimidating to understand, there are several hot topics in current debate that would make great subjects for an opinion piece.  Topping that list:  how should the world react to Iran's nuclear ambitions?  How should the world react to North Korea's nuclear weapons?  Should the U.S. ratify the CTBT?  (The CTBT is a great topic to choose because U.S. public opinion could make a significant difference in what happens).   Or, more generally, do you support or reject Obama's agenda for "global zero"? 


Below are a lot of resources to use for understanding nuclear policy in general, and to get started on some of the specific topics that are under discussion right now.  Of course, many other topics are possible for the final paper!  Feel free to email me if you'd like some more ideas or feedback.

U.S. Nuclear Policy - General Issues

Full Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) document representing the Obama administration's public policy on nuclear weapons (look for the link to the pdf on the right side of the page.  The "executive summary" is the short version).

Some interpretation, commentary, and critique:
Time Magazine article summarizing the key ideas of the NPR
Federation of American Scientists blog analysis (the FAS was founded by ex-Manhattan Project scientists to provide non-partisan viewpoints on security issues.  They tend to support the "global zero" agenda)
Critique from the Heritage Foundation (a conservative think-tank)

How "global zero" started to be taken seriously in the U.S.:
A famous 2007 Wall Street Journal article by four influential former statesmen that put the idea of "global zero" back into serious debate and influenced Obama's policy.
Obama's landmark speech on nuclear weapons in Prague in 2009

...And why some think it's a terrible idea:
Time Magazine opinion piece on why nuclear weapons should get a Nobel Peace Prize.
National Review opinion piece on why supporting nuclear disarmament is just naive, and another on why the disarmament agenda could have nasty unintended consequences.

Iran

You will have no trouble finding tons of material on your own (and there is more posted earlier on this blog).  A few more articles to fan the flames of this contentious debate:
A nice overview on the issue from the BBC.
Opinion piece from CNN on why an Iranian bomb would be bad news.
Opinion piece from Canada's Globe and Mail criticizing the U.S. rhetoric on Iran.
A similar piece from the Guardian UK saying that diplomacy is the way to go, not military action.
Republican presidential candidates have made this a key issue for debate.  Some news on the positions taken by Newt Gingrich,  Michele Bachmann, and Mitt Romney.
Associated Press piece on Iran threatening to attack Turkey if attacked.

North Korea

BBC backgrounder on the stalled nuclear talks.
Sig Hecker's report on the newly revealed uranium enrichment plant in North Korea, from last year.
Article on current status of the issue and U.S. response, from the Washington Post.
Yonhap article on South Korea's cooperation with the IAEA.

CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty)

This may not be in the news a lot right at this moment, but it's a great topic to write about because it will make a big difference to the world whether the U.S. eventually ratifies it or doesn't, and the ratification decision rests with senators (who can be influenced by public opinion).  So, here's a place where your voice could have a real influence - consider writing a letter to your senator and actually sending it!

Main webpage for the CTBTO (the organization in place to monitor for global nuclear tests if the treaty goes into force).
Background information on the political history of the CTBT in the U.S., from the Nuclear Threat Initiative (a nuclear non-proliferation organization).
Opinion piece from the LA Times supporting the CTBT.
Opinion piece from the Weekly Standard against the CTBT.

Other topics (just a few that I've noticed in the news recently)

Atlantic Monthly article on Pakistan:  are their nukes secure?
Isreal:  some recent analysis from Ha'aretz Daily of the policy of "nuclear ambiguity" and why it's here to stay.
Opinion piece in the New York Times about plans for a new plutonium facility at Los Alamos.