Our Nuclear Now: Recent Episodes
Emily Pugh
What are nuclear weapons, and how have they changed international relations since World War II? In this series sponsored by The Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies at Claremont McKenna College, we will explore the theory and risk of using nuclear weapons today - and whether we should continue using them in the future.
How easy is it to get your hands on radiological material, and what is the biggest concern with nuclear terrorism today? Ambassador Laura Holgate speaks from her experience in nuclear security on both the government and NGO side.
Intro clip from "Sabotage: Facing the Threat" by Nuclear Threat Initiative
Nuclear Threat Initiative: www.nti.org
What does it look like to make nuclear treaties with other countries, and what is the process of launching a nuclear weapon? Nuclear Threat Initiative's Richard Johnson expands on his experience in treaty-making with Iran and North Korea as well as peaceful uses for nuclear technology.
Intro clip from CBS's "Madam Secretary: Night Watch" (4.22)
Nuclear Threat Initiative: www.nti.org
What were the challenges surrounding nuclear weapons after WWII, and how are they different now? In this episode, Director of Defense Policy Studies at Cato Institute Eric Gomez helps answer these questions. We'll discuss his and Caroline Dorminey's book America's Nuclear Crossroads: A Forward-Looking Anthology, as well as recommendations for the future of U.S. arms control.
Link to the Anthology: www.cato.org/crossroads
Sponsored by: The Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies at Claremont McKenna College.
Other References:
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Library of Congress: Cold War Background
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International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons: Anti-Nuclear Weapons Movements
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Arms Control Association: Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; Numbers of Nuclear Warheads around the World
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Department of Defense: Modernization
To learn about nuclear weapons policy, we should first understand how they're unique in international relations. What makes nuclear weapons different from conventional ones? What goes into a nuclear weapon, and what are the different types? To help us answer these questions, I've brought on Dr. Blake Wood from Los Alamos National Laboratory. With more than 20 years of experience in designing nuclear weapons, he knows a thing or two about them!