Extra resources on nuclear weapons

Here are a few places to look for perspectives and information on nuclear weapons policy issues:


Against Nuclear Weapons:

1)  Global Zero:  an anti-nuclear weapons movement.  A set of links across the top of this page may be useful for researching anti-nuclear arguments.  Also, at the bottom of this page you can download a complete report proposing a new version of the U.S. "Nuclear Posture" that will help to achieve global zero.

2) Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists:  This is a long-standing anti-nuclear journal/website with lots of articles about different aspects of nuclear weapons topics from an anti-nuclear stance.  One useful example:  an opinion essay claiming the notion that nuclear weapons aid stability is false. 

3) Union of Concerned Scientists:  This group takes a moderate anti-nuclear weapons stance, arguing for arms reduction and stronger treaties.  There are many very useful policy papers and fact sheets here.  In some additional pages on the site, like this one, you can also get technical critiques of missile defense plans and other key topics that are under current debate.

For Nuclear Weapons:

There aren't really "pro-nuclear weapons" organizations out there the same way that there are anti-nuclear weapons groups.  However, here are a few specific opinion pieces that represent a pro-nuclear stance and may be useful starting points for understanding those perspectives.

1) A very recent opinion piece by three senators on Obama's budget for nuclear weapons "modernization," arguing that more money needs to be spent on this.

2) A policy backgrounder from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank, that lays out a role for a strong ongoing U.S. nuclear weapons program. 

3) Opinion pieces from the National Review on why nuclear disarmament is naive and why "global zero" is a bad idea.  You may also find more recent articles on this web site if you search for specific topics.

4) Time Magazine opinion essay on why nuclear weapons should get the nobel peace prize.

5) The case against the CTBT, again from the Heritage Foundation.


Finally, two documents that are important for understanding the current U.S. stance:

1) Text of President Obama's speech in Prague in 2009

2) The current U.S. Nuclear Posture Review:   Outlines U.S. nuclear policy - you can download the whole document from the website.  Also on the website you can find information about missile defense and other topics.