Publication Archive

Back
Global Risk
Blog
If Arms Control Collapses, US and Russian Strategic Nuclear Arsenals Could Double In Size

Russian noncompliance with New START Treaty makes retaining limits on strategic nuclear forces even more important.

02.07.23 | 9 min read
read more
Global Risk
Blog
The C-17A Has Been Cleared To Transport B61-12 Nuclear Bomb To Europe

The C-17As of the 62nd Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord serve as the Prime Nuclear Airlift Force (PNAF), the only airlift wing that is authorized to transport the Air Force’s nuclear warheads.

01.09.23 | 3 min read
read more
Global Risk
Blog
The 2022 Nuclear Posture Review: Arms Control Subdued By Military Rivalry

On 27 October 2022, the Biden administration finally released an unclassified version of its long-delayed Nuclear Posture Review (NPR). The classified NPR was released to Congress in March 2022, but its publication was substantially delayed––likely due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Compared with previous NPRs, the tone and content come closest to the Obama administration’s […]

10.27.22 | 14 min read
read more
Global Risk
Blog
NATO Steadfast Noon Exercise And Nuclear Modernization in Europe

[Updated version] Today, Monday October 17, 2022, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will begin a two-week long exercise in Europe to train aircrews in using U.S. non-strategic nuclear bombs. The exercise, known as Steadfast Noon, is centered at Kleine Brogel Air Base in Belgium, one of six airbases in Europe that store U.S. nuclear […]

10.17.22 | 7 min read
read more
Global Risk
Blog
A Step Forward in Mitigating Existential Threats

It’s no secret that the world is becoming increasingly complex and interconnected. And as our societies become more technologically advanced, the risks of a global catastrophe become greater. Natural disasters or severe climate change in one part of the world can quickly become a humanitarian crisis in another, an airborne virus can spread around the […]

08.03.22 | 4 min read
read more
Global Risk
Blog
New Environmental Assessment Reveals Fascinating Alternatives to Land-Based ICBMs

A new Air Force environmental assessment reveals that it considered basing ICBMs in underground railway tunnels––or possibly underwater.

07.13.22 | 8 min read
read more
Global Risk
Blog
On the Passing of FAS Board Member Don Lebell

The Federation of American Scientists regrets to share news of the passing of long-time board member Don Lebell at age 95. Don Lebell was an active voice in national security, working not only with FAS, but with the Ploughshares Fund’s Nuclear-Free Society and the Department of Defense’s Task Force on Globalization and National Security, Amnesty […]

04.15.22 | 1 min read
read more
Global Risk
Blog
Lakenheath Air Base Added To Nuclear Weapons Storage Site Upgrades

US Defense Department documents show that NATO has quietly added the United Kingdom to the list of nuclear weapons storage locations that are being upgraded. The documents do not identify the specific facility, but it is believed to be the US Air Base at RAF Lakenheath in southeast England approximately 100 kilometers northeast of London. […]

04.11.22 | 4 min read
read more
Global Risk
Blog
Amidst Nuclear Saber Rattling, New START Treaty Demonstrates Importance

Shortly after Russian military forces invaded Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin said that he had ordered Russian nuclear forces on high combat alert – apparently to deter the United States from getting directly involved, and the United States condemned the statement as “unacceptable” nuclear saber rattling but refused to respond in kind, the two vehemently […]

04.06.22 | 7 min read
read more
Global Risk
Blog
Flying Under The Radar: A Missile Accident in South Asia

For the first time ever, a nuclear-armed state accidentally launched a missile at another nuclear-armed state. How did this happen?

04.04.22 | 10 min read
read more
Global Risk
Blog
India’s Nuclear Arsenal Takes A Big Step Forward

India just tested a “new generation” nuclear-capable ballistic missile. We take a deep dive into why the missile is so special, and what it means for India’s nuclear forces.

12.23.21 | 6 min read
read more
Global Risk
Blog
NNSA Removes F/A-18F Super Hornet From Nuclear Bomb Fact Sheet

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has quietly removed the F/A-18F Super Hornet from its B61-12 nuclear bomb fact sheet. No public explanation has been offered for why the aircraft was removed or added in the first place. The F/A-18F was added to a “November 2021” fact sheet published in early December, which listed the […]

12.15.21 | 4 min read
read more