Starting points for your papers

For the final paper for this class, you'll need to take a stand on a current nuclear weapons issue and back up your position drawing on what you have learned in class.

There are a lot of things going on in the world right now that relate directly to nuclear weapons, and I would like to call your attention to a few of them as starting points.  A number of these articles are from the New York Times, and if you run into the paywall issues, remember that you can get access to these through the library digital resources.

1.  Addressing flaws in the management and maintenance of U.S. Nuclear Weapons.  Here's a New York Times article about this but you can find other, tied to a recent Pentagon study and a press conference today by defense secretary Hagel.

2.  Disintegrating relations with Russia and their impact on nuclear disarmament and security issues.  Lately, we've been at odds with the world's other big nuclear superpower.  This has an impact on our overall nuclear stance (and theirs).  It might modify negotiations over treaties, alter what happens in Iran, or upset ongoing projects to prevent nuclear terrorism.  On this last point, this is a really interesting New York Times article.  

3.  Of course, taking a stand on what should happen with the current talks in Iran would be great.  However, this is unfolding right at the same time you will be writing your papers, so between your first and second drafts, things might substantially change!  Just be prepared!  Here's a CNN article to get started thinking about what's going on politically in the U.S. surrounding this issue.

4.  How is Obama doing on his goals for disarmament?  Do you support the planned expenditures on modernizing our nuclear weapons infrastructure?  Here's an analysis by the New York Times to start thinking about this. 

5.  Hey, Pakistan just tested a nuclear-capable long-range missile... should we be worried about this?

6. Treaties!  Of course, great places to weigh in are on the CTBT, the proposals for the FMCT, or what should follow New START.  I will post more resources on those soon.