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Ploughshares Blog: Pakistan

Due to its status as a nuclear power, ongoing tensions with India and its relative instability, Pakistan is often called the most dangerous place on Earth. Following is analysis and opinion from Ploughshares Fund staff, grantees and guests on the ongoing struggle to deal with nuclear weapons in Pakistan.
Chemical Weapons, Syria and the International Response to WMDs
The debate over Syria’s possible use of chemical weapons has been dominating the headlines. Were deadly nerve agents used? If so by whom? Was the use intentional? These questions are important since President Obama has intimated that, if confirmed, the use of chemical weapons could change U.S. policy toward the Syrian civil war. The specifics of what the United States would do differently are unclear. What is clear, though, is that the use of chemical weapons characteristically changes the way we perceive the conflict. It is, as Obama stated, a “game changer.” Read more »
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Posted by Paul Carroll on May 10, 2013
North Korea, chemical weapons, Syria, Pakistan, United States
New Team, New Term, New Nuclear Policy
On the radar: “Obama’s Nuclear Future”; Lessons on Pakistan’s tac nukes; Interim Pu strategy; Doubts on North Korea sanctions; Queen Noor talks nukes; and Visit Berlin’s loveliest fallout shelter.   Read more »
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Posted on March 7, 2013
Reclaiming PATA in Pakistan
Within Pakistan, extremism threatens the stability of the country and the security of their nuclear weapons. The Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) remain particularly volatile. Crisis Group, a Ploughshares Fund grantee, recently released a report, Pakistan: Countering Militancy in PATA, outlining a series of reforms national and provincial leaders can take to curb extremism and reclaim political space ceded to the military. Read more »
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Posted by Jessica Sleight on February 26, 2013
South Asia, Conflict Prevention, Pakistan
After the Test: Denuclearization and Nonproliferation
  On the radar: More tests on horizon; Future diplomatic moves; MOX to cost $2B more; De-alerting; Nukestock 2013 schedule; Russian position on reductions; and Nobody unilaterally disarms quite like Republican presidents did.   Read more »
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Posted on February 15, 2013
Top 10 Books for Your 2013 Radioactive Reading Resolution
With a new year come exciting opportunities to expand your knowledge of nuclear issues. Since you have probably read through last year’s list (well done!) and our summer list (kudos!), we’re providing you with a brand new list to satisfy your reading resolution for 2013. Covering diverse topics from Hiroshima manga (Japanese graphic novels) to the development of the bomb in Pakistan there is something to satisfy the nuclear wonk in everyone. Read more »
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Posted by Jessica Sleight on January 22, 2013
Japan, Book Review, Entertainment, Nuclear Terrrorism, Nuclear Zero, Russia, Pakistan, Iran
North Korea’s Launch: Timing, Politics, and Technological Significance
On the radar: Kim’s bargaining position; Satellite much easier than warhead; Nuclear complex now on Google Earth; Likelihood of DPRK nuclear test; Strategic dialogue with Russia; $100 billion in nuclear cuts; and Continued worry about Pakistan. Read more »
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Posted on December 13, 2012
Arms control and the Future of US-Russia Relations
On the radar: After the reset; Senate passes NDAA; Iran dates; P5+1 in January; and Detecting nuclear blasts with radio telescopes. Read more »
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Posted on December 5, 2012
Nuclear Restraint and Achieving Lower Numbers
On the radar: Less is Better; Iran’s model graph; iTreaties; Eran and Guzansky; Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative; Last Resort sunk; and Using less plutonium in space. Read more »
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Posted on November 28, 2012
IAEA Report Shows Expanding Capacity, Slight Stockpile Increases
On the radar: Capacity up, operations the same; Kissinger says bring Iran negotiations to point of decision; Weakening NNSA accountability; Triad isn’t trinity; Easy cuts; and Cold War assumptions don’t fit Pakistan. Read more »
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Posted on November 19, 2012
Arms Control and the Next Four Years
  On the radar: NYT on foreign policy priorities; U.S. interests in a deal with Iran; Just do it; Outlook for Mid-East WMDFZ; Iran talks Parchin; and Pakistani and Indian Scientists on the bomb.   Read more »
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Posted on November 12, 2012