Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological weapons. After September 11, transnational and terrorist groups are seen as potential users of WMD technology to inflict mass casualties and fear upon civilian populations. Of most concern is that former Soviet scientists, nuclear stockpiles, and research and development laboratories for chemical and biological weapons (CBW) are underfunded and under-safeguarded, creating opportunities for rogue states and terrorist groups to acquire WMD technology and expertise on the black market.
In his speech at the National Academy of Sciences Symposium Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Trinity Nuclear Weapon Testthe Transcript, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D - New Jersey) spoke of the need for Congress to engage more deeply on nuclear weapons policy, arms control and non-proliferation issues, and for the United States to increase its commitment toward reducing the number of nuclear weapons and strengthening the international non-proliferation system.
Responding to the question of whether nuclear weapons protect our nation’s security, Lt. General Robert Gard, Senior Military Fellow at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, offers that while these weapons serve a limited core nuclear deterrent function, we must address the urgent need to minimize the risk of nuclear terrorism.
Washington, DC – Seven retired military flag officers and former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, urged the Senate to cut funding for the development of new nuclear weapons in support of Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA)’s amendment to the Defense Authorization bill to remove funding for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP) (also known as the nuclear bunker buster).
Washington, DC -. Watchdog groups today accused Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld of being blind to the negative effects of U.S development a new generation of nuclear weapons.
The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation was invited to contribute resource materials for OneWorld.net’s May edition of Perspectives Magazine. The May edition’s focus is the debate on nuclear weapons, and the Center was prominently featured in the magazine’s "On the Frontlines” section.
Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (Sometimes called Nuclear Bunker Buster) FY’05 ---- (funding eliminated by Congress) FY’06 $4.0 million (in Department of Energy budget) FY’06 $4.5 million (in Department of Defense budget) Modern Pit Manufacturing Facility (to produce new nuclear...
In the Seven Myths of Nuclear Terrorism, Dr. Matthew Bunn, a Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Board member, and Anthony Wier debunk the myths that terrorists do not have sufficiency capability, opportunity, and desire to acquire weapons-grade material, build or steal a nuclear weapon, and detonate it in the United States.
Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation April 2004 The Bush Administration has taken a number of steps toward building a new generation of nuclear weapons, resuming nuclear weapons explosive testing and using nuclear weapons in future conflicts. The latest...
2004 budget request Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (Bunker Buster): FY 2004 Estimate: $7.5 million ($15 million requested): FY 2005 Request: $27.6 million (+268%) Advanced Concepts (could include low yield nuclear weapon): FY 2004 Estimate: $6 million FY 2005 Request: ...
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