Nuclear Weapons
Reagan and Gorbachev sign the INF Treaty (1987). Reagan library.
CENTER BLOGS, YOUTUBE, PODCASTS
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RECENT ANALYSIS
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Dec 17, 2008
Strengthening U.S. Security Through Non-Proliferation and Arms Control: Recommendations for the Obama Administration
In 2008, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation sought input from 60 scientists, academics, members of Congress, senior congressional staffers, and representatives from advocacy groups, think tanks, and foundations to assess the priorities for the next Administration on nuclear arms control and non-proliferation. This report summarizes the consultations. -
Dec 17, 2008
Nukes in the Snowflake Blizzard
Every think tank, non-profit, trade association, and lobbyist in town has produced a set of policy recommendations for the incoming Obama administration. The bad news is that I come bearing yet another policy memo for Team Obama. The good news is that my recommendations are the consensus of an arms control brain trust. -
Dec 10, 2008
Comments for Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)
This statement was presented by Leonor Tomero, director for nuclear nonproliferation, at the Department of Energy’s December 9 hearing on the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). - See more articles »
Learn about the Project on Strengthening Arms Control and Nonproliferation Click here »
By the late 1960s, it became apparent that while the arms race between the United States and Soviet Union was yielding thousands of additional nuclear weapons, it was not leading to greater security for either country or the world at-large.
Thus, in 1968, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as the NPT, was opened for signature. In addition to establishing an international commitment to nonproliferation, the NPT laid the groundwork for eventual disarmament by all existing nuclear states. This disarmament vision was embodied in Article VI, which called upon signatories to negotiate "effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race" as well as "general and complete disarmament."
The NPT served as a prelude to the first round of Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT I) between the U.S. and Soviet Union. On May 26, 1972, SALT I produced bilateral pledges to freeze at existing levels the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers possessed by each country and to take other steps to mitigate the arms race. Most notably, SALT I also produced the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty banning missile defense systems as well as an interim agreement on strategic offensive arms.
In the past 30 years, various important agreements were negotiated and signed between the United States, Soviet Union (and its successor states), and other parties to reduce strategic nuclear stockpiles. These include the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Strategic Arms Reduction Talks I (START I) and the Lisbon Protocol, Strategic Arms Reduction Talks II (START II), Strategic Arms Reduction Talks III (START III), and the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT or Moscow Treaty).
FY2009 DEFENSE BUDGET ANALYSIS
Sep 25, 2008 Analysis of FY2009 Defense Appropriations in the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act (CR) for FY2009
Sep 24, 2008 Analysis of House-Senate Agreement on the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (S.3001)
Feb 4, 2008 The FY 2009 Pentagon (DOD) Defense Budget Spending Request
ARTICLES & FACT SHEETS
Aug 19, 2008 The Future of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP): Next Steps
Aug 15, 2008 The Future of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP): Domestic Stakeholders
Aug 4, 2008 The Future of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP): The International Partners
Apr 15, 2008 Potential U.S. Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) Fact Sheet
Apr 15, 2008 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) Fact Sheet
Mar 5, 2008 History, Design, and Prospects for Improving Pakistan's Nuclear Personnel Reliability Program (PRP)
ADDITIONAL READING
- 10 Reasons to Support a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
This Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation fact sheet briefly provides 10 key reasons to support a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). - Congressional Research Service, "U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Development, and Issues," updated August 5, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program: Background and Current Developments," updated July 23, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban-Treaty: Background and Current Developments," updated May 28, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements," updated April 9, 2008.