The New Arms Race

Nuclear weapons do nothing to protect us from 21st century threats. Yet the US government is planning to spend over $2 trillion during the next 30 years to rebuild its arsenal – plans that could push Russia, China and other countries to build even more nuclear weapons. In short, the world is on the brink of a new nuclear arms race that will only accelerate if current plans stay on track.

Every dollar spent on re-building our arsenal is a dollar less for our true defense needs. We need to end wasteful nuclear programs and to realign our spending priorities with today’s threats.

Latest News and Analysis on the New Nuclear Arms Race

Grantee Spotlight: Hans Kristensen

A growing number of leaders like Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, are increasingly concerned about the US government’s $1 trillion plan to rebuild our nuclear arsenal – a plan that could trigger a new arms global arms race with Russia and...

July 26, 2016 - By Will Lowry
Joe Cirincione Testifies before the Democratic Platform Committee

Ploughshares Fund President Joe Cirincione recently testified before the Democratic Platform Drafting Committee, highlighting the urgent threats posed by nuclear weapons: "The use of one nuclear weapon...

June 20, 2016 - By Ploughshares Fund
Testimony of Joseph Cirincione

While most of us have forgotten that nuclear weapons still exist today, national security leaders have not. They take seriously former Secretary of Defense Bill Perry warning that we 'are on the brink of a new nuclear arms race' with all the perils, near-misses and terrors many thought ended...

June 20, 2016 - By Joe Cirincione
Five Things Obama Could Do Now

In Hiroshima, Obama has said that he will only make brief remarks and speak on the nature of war in general. President Abraham Lincoln’s remarks at Gettysburg were also brief, a mere 10 sentences. He also spoke on...

May 26, 2016 - By Joe Cirincione
New Report: Ghosts of the Cold War

The era when two global superpowers fought for world domination is long over – but the nuclear weapons continue to haunt us. The United States has about 2,000 nuclear warheads deployed on a “triad” of submarines, bombers, and land-based missiles. These doomsday weapons – the ghosts of the Cold...

April 19, 2016 - By Tom Collina
Your Nuclear Weapons Taxpayer Receipt 2016

How much did you pay for nuclear weapons? No one likes tax day. The paperwork. The anticipation of a return. The shock of owing more. None of it is fun. Least of all paying for wasteful programs that do little to nothing to keep the American people safe. Like the plan to spend ...

April 14, 2016 - By Will Lowry
Fewer Warheads, More Spending

Ploughshares Fund grantees Tri-Valley CAREs, which advocates an end to new nuclear weapons development activities at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, and Hans Kristensen of the ...

April 5, 2016 - By Will Lowry
Beyond the Summit: New Approaches to Nuclear Security

This week marks the fourth and final Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC, a first-of-its kind initiative spearheaded by President Obama shortly after he pledged to "seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons" back on April 5, 2009. We were all inspired by his vision and...

March 31, 2016 - By Philip Yun
New Arms Race on PBS Newshour

The Pentagon wants to spend $1 trillion on new nuclear weapons over the next three decades. This is irresponsible, immoral and dangerous. Our country is in economic distress. Instead of lavishing money on weapons to kill millions, our government should be helping to educate and employ millions....

February 29, 2016 - By Joe Cirincione
Cutting Costs, Reducing Risk

America’s nuclear spending spree has sparked a dangerous new arms race. Over the next 30 years, the United States plans to spend $1 trillion on new nuclear weapons based on submarines, bombers and missiles. This plan increases the risk that Russia and China will follow suit, and that nuclear...

February 26, 2016 - By Tom Collina