Arms Control Wonk

click on the image for a larger version This is the second in a series of preparatory posts leading up to a discussion on the Safir’s guidance system. The first discussed the orientation of the Safir at launch and showed, as closely as the errors associated with photo-interpretation would allow, that it’s first stage guidance …

The work of the JASON defense advisory panel — better known as “the JASONs” — tends to be taken quite seriously. Certainly, the conclusions of JASON’s scientists on issues related to nuclear warheads are followed closely in the arms control community. For local examples, see here, here, and here. Fairly or not, JASON is seen …

In June 2005, Senator Richard Lugar released the findings of a survey he commissioned of nonproliferation experts. Eighty-five of us responded. Here are some of our pessimistic findings: Question 1: In your estimate, how many nations that do not currently possess a working nuclear weapon will be added to the nuclear weapons club during the …

What better occasion than Christmas to ponder nuclear terrorism? According to a Dec. 19 story by Thom Shanker and Eric Schmitt in the New York Times, the forthcoming Nuclear Posture review will be just as much about preventing nuclear terrorism as about nuclear deterrence. It’s a good idea, and — in hindsight — a perfectly …