Ideas

Why Did Trump Pick a Fight with Putin Over the Nuclear Weapons Treaty?

President Trump took a hard line over New START with Russia. It's an odd battle to choose -- and a dangerous one.

Ideas

Welcome to America’s ‘Nuclear Sponge’

If ICBMs are meant to draw enemy missiles toward American soil, it’s time to rethink our nuclear strategy.

Science & Tech

Bitcoin-Style Security May Soon Guard US Nukes and Satellites

‘Blockchains' could offer crucial intelligence on whether a hacker has modified a database, or whether they’re surveilling a particular military system.

Business

The US Air Force Just Dropped Two Fake Nukes

The tests in the Nevada desert come as tensions rise with Russia and the Pentagon seeks to replace its aging nuclear arsenal.

Ideas

Powerful Countries Don't Nuke First

A no-first-use approach toward nuclear weapons is the policy of Goliath, not Gandhi.

Ideas

Nuclear Test No. 5: How North Korea's Compares to Other Countries'

Here's what other nuclear powers achieved, and what that reveals about Kim Jong Un's progress.

Ideas

North Korea Is Not Afraid of the International Community

With sanctions having no effect, few options remain short of regime change and acquiescence to Pyongyang as a permanent nuclear power.

Science & Tech

US Gets Serious about Portable Nuke-Detector Prototypes

Homeland Security spends $20M to develop devices to find bombs being transported in ships, on metro systems, or in public places.

Ideas

Obama's Last Chance to Terminate US Nuclear Policy (Thanks to Trump)

Here are four ways Obama can make humanity safer from nuclear weapons before anyone else gets the launch codes.

Threats

Despite Objections, Pentagon Takes Step Toward Buying New Nuclear Weapons

The U.S. Air Force has asked defense firms to bid to supply new ICBMs and controversial nuclear cruise missiles.

Ideas

Trump's NATO-Rattling Interview Has Delayed a Key Evolution in US Nuclear Posture

The Obama administration had been working to reassure nervous allies ahead of renouncing any first use of nuclear weapons. Now that's on hold.

Science & Tech

America’s Network of Secret Bomb Detectors Could Be Growing

Can a mysterious device help the government protect Northern Virginia from a nuclear attack?

Ideas

Yesterday’s Bipolar Nuclear Strategy Isn’t Going to Cut It In Asia

In a region with nuclear powers declared, undeclared, and potential, the U.S. needs a strategy to match.

Ideas

How to Slow President Trump From Pushing The Nuclear Button

Trump could order a nuclear war as easily as a Domino’s pizza. Here's how to change that.

Ideas

The Nuclear Football Goes to Japan

Obama will have the power of 22,000 Hiroshimas in the suitcase his aide carries with him. He still has time to change.

Ideas

The Old Arguments About US Nukes in Europe Aren’t Working. Here’s A New Approach.

Stressing the humanitarian dimensions of the debate over tactical nukes may break a long stalemate.

Ideas

How the US and China Can Talk Each Other Out of a Nuclear Arms Race

By striving for strategic stability, Beijing and Washington can relieve the pressures of oneupmanship and the risk of accidental escalation.

Threats

How Bad Would A Radiological Terror Attack Be?

An interactive map shows a wide variation of outcomes for “nuclear terrorism.”

Ideas

China's Military Wants to Put Its Nukes on a Hair Trigger

If Barack Obama gets one thing done at the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, it should be dissuading Xi Jinping from doing this.

Ideas

Some Good Reading for the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit

As the curtain prepares to rise on tomorrow's opening in Washington, take a moment to read the best from Defense One staff and contributors.