Russia

Great headway has been made since the end of the Cold War in shrinking the Russian and US nuclear arsenals. But between them, the United States and Russia still have more than 14,000 nuclear weapons — over 93% of the world's stockpile. More than three thousand of them remain on high alert, meaning they can be launched in a matter of minutes.

Reducing these nuclear stockpiles help increase global stability, build the international non-proliferation regime and reduce the chances that nuclear materials will fall into the hands of terrorists. Instead, Russia and the United States are now on the brink of a new arms race to rebuild their nuclear arsenals.

Latest News and Analysis on Russia and Nuclear Weapons

  • 5 Steps to a Safer World - Rolling Back the Nuclear Tide, Part II

    Browsing the headlines, the world looks a dangerous place. Boko Haram is bombing its way across Nigeria, civil war in Syria, transnational terrorism and more. But the biggest danger is...

    July 11, 2014 - By Eric Sutphin

  • 3 Reasons We Still Need to Roll Back the Tide of Nuclear Weapons

    As the P5+1 negotiations with Iran continue, there are grounds for optimism that an agreement can be reached by the July 20th deadline. A deal would be a significant achievement in the ongoing battle against the proliferation of nuclear weapons. But this raises the question: what...

    July 2, 2014 - By Eric Sutphin

  • VIDEO: Can Syria's Chemical Weapons be Eliminated?

    As the world explores the feasibility of Russia's proposal to remove chemical weapons from Syria, Ploughshares Fund experts are being called upon by the media to explain what such an effort would...

    September 12, 2013 - By admin

  • Responses to Russia's Surprise Syria Proposal

    A surprise proposal by Russia offered a solution to the crisis in Syria that would also achieve a longstanding goal of the non-proliferation community: the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons program. The Russian proposal would move all Syrian chemical weapons into international custody for safe keeping and eventual dismantlement. It’s a sound policy idea – the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has roughly two decades of experience in verifying deals just like this. And so far, political responses seem to be encouraging. Below is a summary of responses to the proposal.*

    September 9, 2013 - By admin

  • Syria: Keeping Broader Goals in Mind

    As talk of strikes on Syria continues, the media has started to examine the impact military action in Syria might have on the United States foreign policy goals, most notably on

    September 3, 2013 - By admin

  • Banning the Bomb Blast

    Eisenhower wanted it; Kennedy almost got it; Clinton negotiated it; and now Obama can deliver it.  It is the longest-sought, hardest-fought for goal in the history of nuclear arms control: a global ban on nuclear weapons tests.

    August 20, 2013 - By Joe Cirincione

  • Canceled U.S.-Russia Talks Place Increased Emphasis on Diplomats

    Writing for Defense One, Joe Cirincione urges the U.S. and Russia to move past Snowden and focus on long-standing bilateral security threats.

    August 8, 2013 - By admin
  • Fukushima 2013 to 20013? Legacy of the Nuclear Age

    Fukushima 2013 to 20013? Legacy of the Nuclear Age

    Next week marks the second anniversary of the nuclear accident at the Fukushima reactors in Japan. Remember? The days and weeks we collectively crossed our fingers as heroic workers improvised and threw everything they could at melting reactors and damaged spent fuel pools to stave off disaster...

    March 7, 2013 - By Paul Carroll

  • Experts Discuss Non-Treaty Measures to Reduce Nuclear Risks

    At an event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, James M. Acton, Steven Pifer and Elbridge Colby discussed measures outside of formal treaties that could reduce nuclear risks between the U.S. and Russia.

    January 30, 2013 - By Alyssa Demus

  • 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.

    January 22, 2013 - By Jessica Sleight