In 2020, ICAN published its first report on global nuclear weapons spending, and we continue to publish this research annually. In our most recent report released Friday, June 13, ICAN estimated that the nine nuclear-armed states spent over $100 billion on their nuclear arsenals in 2024—a new record and an increase of nearly $10 billion…

Israel’s massive strike on Iran has set in motion a dangerous escalatory spiral. Coming at a moment when diplomatic efforts toward a new nuclear agreement between the US and Iran were gaining traction, the strike undermined fragile momentum and threatens to derail progress. The attacks risk further escalation and immense human suffering, including for US…

Today, June 10, 2025, marks one year since the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) expired. To raise awareness for this anniversary, we’ve gathered information from advocates and partners to share what RECA is, why it matters, and the impacts of RECA’s expiration.  What is RECA?  The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), established in 1990, provides…

Two weeks ago, newly appointed Pope Leo XIV engaged in a first-week tradition well known to leaders across the world: an introductory flurry of posts on X. “Peace” was the theme of his seven starter posts, which appeared on feeds across the globe on May 14.   Leo XIV drew attention to the Christian diaspora, the…

Last week, Ploughshares and the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists hosted a reception for a group of grantees and partners at our DC office to celebrate our collective efforts to reduce the threats posed by nuclear weapons. We journeyed from our usual office to the building’s event space, and despite a light smattering of rain,…

Over the last few months, I’ve written about how weapon makers are connected to humanitarian risks, and how that translates to financial risks for 401(k) investors. In this post we’ll trace the investment chain from A to Z, showing how our savings end up flowing towards military weapon manufacturers, and how you can find sustainable…

May the 4th be with you! The idea of defending the US against our adversaries’ nuclear weapons has long been enticing, leading the US to develop anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. And despite the shortcomings of several programs and the prohibitive costs of deployment, the Reagan administration launched the Strategic…

Last month, I wrote about how ethical investors try to avoid companies involved with the production of controversial weapons that inflict indiscriminate harm on civilians. But it’s more common for arms makers to be involved in the production of so-called conventional weapons that are designed to destroy specific military targets. Unfortunately, conventional weapons are often…

Ploughshares had the opportunity to sit down with Alex Bell, the new president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, to discuss what’s changed in the nuclear field, pressing issues, and how best to communicate to a broader audience about the nuclear threat and inspire them to act. As part of Ploughshares’ role…

Ploughshares is invested in ensuring that people recognize the nuclear threat is real. It’s not science-fiction or the plot of a movie set in the Cold War. It exists. It’s here. In many ways, it’s harder today to make progress on reducing the nuclear threat, despite the devastating effects that would result from a nuclear…