Ploughshares Blog: Ploughshares Fund

On Thursday, Rachel Maddow asked me if President Obama was going to fulfill the visionary agenda he laid out four years ago in Prague. I paused. What should I say? I support this agenda to move us step by step towards what Obama termed "the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons." But progress has been slow. I took a deep breath and answered the only way I could: honestly. Read more »
Posted by Joe Cirincione on April 5, 2013
I just returned from a week in Beijing. What a change. Scores of modern skyscrapers with international brand names and products emblazoned atop have sprung up where none existed as little as five years ago. Shining shopping malls are filled with the latest fashions and products.  Streets are choked with thousands of cars and buses where packs of bicycles and motorcycles once ruled. Read more »
Posted by Philip Yun on November 14, 2012
Lisa Esherick is a painter, teacher, gardener and a person committed to a world where “everyone and everything thrives.” A resident of Berkeley, CA, Lisa is involved with many organizations, both local and international, that support the arts, education, health, food and housing, the environment and social justice. Ploughshares Fund is a special favorite. Read more »
Posted by admin on November 13, 2012
In the wake of last week's election, pundits and politicians alike are starting to think about what the next four years may hold. While not heavily discussed during the campaign, it seems that nuclear policy is coming up high on many people's lists of issues that are likely to receive major presidential attention in the next term. Read more »
Posted by admin on November 12, 2012
It's not easy to know how much our nation pays for our nuclear weapons programs. There is no official nuclear weapons budget. Instead, government spending accounts are often opaque, poorly defined and always spread out over several government agencies. But, as we debate appropriate levels of defense spending, Ploughshares Fund believes that it's important to get a sense of what the overall nuclear budget looks like. Read more »
Posted by admin on October 7, 2012
Everyone’s talking about the negotiations in Baghdad. After months of hostile rhetoric and rising tensions, Iran is coming to the table with the international community to try and find a resolution to the impasse over its nuclear program. Read more »
Posted by Margaret Swink on May 23, 2012
Is Mother’s Day any one’s favorite holiday? We all love our mothers, but sometimes the pressure to find the right gift to express that love can be intense. To most of us, she’s one of the most important people in our lives, which is why it’s perhaps more difficult to find a gift that seems as important as she is. But what if Mother’s Day meant something more than commericialism? What if Mother’s Day was about peace? Read more »
Posted by Margaret Swink on April 10, 2012
The idea of ‘peace on earth’ is thrown around a lot this time of year. At Ploughshares Fund, we’re working to make it a reality. With the elimination of each nuclear weapon, we get closer to that goal. Whether we are urging Congress to reduce the nuclear budget, bringing together American and Russian leaders for informal dialogues, or speaking out against military action against Iran, our aim is always the same – to create a safer future. Read more »
Posted by Megan Murphy on December 23, 2011
To say that nuclear weapons policy is complex is a bit of an understatement. Attempting to keep up with what’s happening with North Korea, Pakistan, Iran and Russia can be overwhelming, and the science behind nuclear weapons is an entirely different intricacy. Discussing the differences between ICBMs, MIRVs, and SLBMs isn’t most people’s idea of coffee table banter. Read more »
Posted by Megan Murphy on December 8, 2011
One of the things that we're proudest of here at Ploughshares Fund is that we are a public foundation. Unlike most other funders in the field, our resources stem from individual contributions rather than a large endowment. In fact, roughly 75% of our annual contributed income comes from individuals who passionately believe that a world free of nuclear weapons is a desirable and achievable goal. We're proud to partner with these individuals to support some of the smartest people in the business. Read more »
Posted by admin on December 8, 2011