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The US president's unfettered authority to order the use of nuclear weapons and an unstable US nuclear posture create a compound existential risk. Reducing the risk requires eliminating the dangerously unstable warfighting contingencies of first use of nuclear weapons and launch on warning of nuclear attack from the repertoire of presidential options; re-configuring the nuclear chain of command; and building a robust and enduring nuclear command system to stabilize the contingency of second-strike retaliation on which true deterrence depends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The FAS Nuclear Notebook is researched and written by Hans M. Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project with the Federation of American Scientists, and Matt Korda, a research associate with the project. This Nuclear Notebook reviews the status of France's nuclear arsenal and finds that the stockpile of approximately 300 warheads has remained stable in recent years, but that significant modernizations are underway with regard to ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, submarines, aircraft, and the nuclear industrial complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What does the United States need to do - and what could it reasonably not do - in terms of ensuring the reliability of its nuclear arsenal and reducing the huge cost currently foreseen for maintaining that reliability? Clearly, in our view, the United States could invest less in what is broadly called "nuclear modernization" and still maintain a reliable nuclear arsenal. Reducing such investments, however, would require hard decisions about the overall shape of the US arsenal and the need to continue to support some legs of the current triad of nuclear-capable airplanes and land- and sea-based missiles. The United States could for example reduce costs without compromising security by phasing out the most vulnerable leg of the triad, ground-based nuclear missiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the Russian nuclear forces for 2006. The country continues to reduce its total nuclear forces in 2005, however, it plans for a new weapon systems and upgrades of existing one. Russian President Vladimir Putin attempts to reassert the country's nuclear strength and reinstate large-scale military exercises. Statistical data on the operational Russian strategic offensive weapons, nonstrategic and defensive weapons and projected strategic warheads from 2006 to 2015 are presented.

Focuses on the planning for the disposal of nuclear arsenals and warheads despite an absence of arms reduction agreements. Disposal arrangement for uranium-based and plutonium-based weapons; Consideration for the secrecy of information on the design and construction of nuclear weapons; Steps in the implementation of the disposal programs.

Focuses on the legislative deliberations for the Omnibus Defense Authorization Bill for 1985. Amendment limits to the total number of nuclear warheads to be produced and deployed; Appeal for the termination of research and development on nuclear warheads; Arguments for an increase in conventional forces from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the U.S. government.

The article describes the dispersion of United States' tactical and strategic nuclear weapons at home, at sea, in Europe and in Asia. There is an estimated 14,800 nuclear weapons that are kept in the U.S. and about 7,000 weapons are dispersed at sea. In Europe, these weapons include different kinds of surface-to-surface missiles, nuclear artillery shells and nuclear capable fighter-bombers. In Asia, an estimated 1,700 tactical nuclear weapons are maintained on land, reportedly in Korea and the Philippines. INSET: 'Broken Arrows'.

The article presents the author's comments on certain risks and dangers that Hawaii faces for being the U.S. military command and weapons stockpile center of the Pacific. Hawaii faces the local environmental hazards of nuclear weapons as well as the dangerous fallouts of a potential nuclear war. Local hazards of nuclear arsenals include: dangers of weapon accidents, naval pollution of waters in the area due to radioactive liquid waste, and naval reactor accidents, etc.

The article provides information on multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) in the U.S. MIRV missiles carry comparatively smaller individual warheads that allows a single launch of missile to strike several targets. The technology of MIRV tends to continue any strategic arms restriction in certain degree of ambiguity that enhances the expected development of strike-force advantage in the future. Its development tolerates SS-9 force capable of throwing 300 MIRV and assumes to intensify the strike force power of 500 MIRVs.

The article discusses the author's perspective on the problems on the detection of atomic test explosions. He points that an agreement which bans nuclear weapons testing would be worthless unless violations could be detected. He also presents the main techniques for detection of nuclear weapons testing which include the detection of acoustic waves, electromagnetic radiation, and radioactivity. He adds that a test-ban agreement which could be checked only by outside monitoring would be successful of its purposes.

The article reports on disarmament control policies regarding atomic energy. According to the author, President Dwight D. Eisenhower's proposal discusses disarmament and cooperation in the development of useful applications of atomic energy. He also discusses "Operation Candor" that focuses on the realities of atomic threat and cooperation with trusted allies wherein it was considered in facing the problem with the development of Soviet Union's hydrogen bomb. Moreover, the disarmament agreement include the maintenance of low level of atomic and other weapons as a preventive measure for possible atomic attacks.

The article focuses on the psychological effect of atomic weapons on the American people. According to the government, American people will not panic during atomic attacks for the military were trained to be ready during an attack. However, the author opposed the government's statement and concluded that these people would panic. Moreover, he suggested two factors regarding his conclusion that include the public has exhibited various symptoms including hysteria and the psychological effects of atomic attack is more damaging than physical effects.

The article discusses the implications of the atomic arms race and cites possible solutions to avert its catastrophic outcome. The strategic use of atomic bombs in warfare invites proliferation of its development in which case a need for an atomic armament control plan is deemed necessary. Several frameworks upon which disarmament control policies should be based is presented one of which is an international agreement which will set limitation on arms production including atomic armaments. The control scheme, however, requires a knowledge in the dynamics of developing an atomic bomb such as plutonium and uranium content or the amount of fissionable material.

Focuses on the defense policy of Canada. Essential components of Canadian security policy; Declaratory support of the white paper; Non-nuclear proliferation of Canada.

The article comments on the views of Mr. Marseille related to the possession of nuclear weapons. The author emphasized that Marseille attacks the Russell-Einstein appeal which was signed by ten eminent scientists. The author pointed out that the whole doctrine of liberty of opinion contended that there should be free competition among ideas and that the competition should be conducted by argument not by force. The author believed that the changed circumstances have compelled a change of policy, but the new policy has precisely the same sincerity as the old one and has the same main purpose which is to preserve the human race.

The article presents a detailed discussion about the distribution, stockpiling, and production of nuclear fuels. It explains that the advantage to be acquired by a nation through seizure of production facilities or of stockpiles must be minimized because of the ease of producing weapons from such material. However, the seizure would be a serious violation to the treaty because it tells that the country is inclining on atomic warfare. It mentions that there is no certainty whether or not enough additional fuel can be made in a power reactor to regenerate the original supply.

The article discusses the development of a U.S. nuclear weapons policy called Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) Program. RRW was introduced in the conference report to the fiscal 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act. It was supported by Ohio Republican Congressman David Hobson. Hobson argued that the program would improve the reliability of the stockpile without nuclear tests thus saving government's money and highlighting the nation's commitment to nonproliferation by scaling down the nuclear complex and the vast reserve stockpile. It is noted that the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's RRW design was selected.

Comments on the U.S. government spending for nuclear weapons-related activities under President George W. Bush's administration. Amount of the nuclear weapons spending for the year 2004; Amount proposed for the development of a robust nuclear earth penetrating warhead; Amount that will be spent for the completion of the Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrotest Facility in 2007.

The author presents the reasons why nuclear weapons testing should continue. According to the author, who happens to be a nuclear weapon designer, if they stop weapon testing then they would not get the new weapons systems which is their primary responsibility. He also asserted that if weapon testing will be discontinued, then United States' expertise on nuclear weapons would slowly evaporate and the weapons stockpile will be in jeopardy at a relatively rapid rate. He further added that any move that degrades nuclear forces will also decrease the military capability of United States relative to that of the Soviet Union.

The article focuses on the pros and cons of the Vladivostok agreement which formalizes and legitimizes a numerical ceiling for strategic weapons, an arrangement that both the U.S. and Soviet Union believe serves their security needs. It does not specify an upper limit to the total number of warheads permissible in each arsenal. It has little effect on the present and projected force levels of the strategic nuclear arsenals, as well as the weapons development programs, of either the Soviet Union or the U.S. The agreement poses danger because Soviet technology will match accuracies of a few meters for the Soviet warheads and the performance edge will be eliminated. By creating visible parity, the agreement offers a realistic opportunity for future negotiated reductions of nuclear arsenals.

The article presents a discussion about the backward humanitarian step regarding India's detonation of a nuclear device. It states several significant aspects that makes the action of India a backward step for mankind. It explains that the action marks a further proliferation of nuclear weapons, breaking the system of restraints which had been permitted by an increasing number of countries since 1968. The action demonstrates the increasing ease and investments with which nuclear weapons can be produced and therefore gives an example to other countries.

The article reports on the announcement of Soviet Union on the resumption of nuclear testing despite of the agreement held by her, the U.S. and Great Britain on the matter. With this, the U.S. later claimed that they will also resume underground nuclear tests while suggesting the Soviet Union to eliminate all atmospheric testing due to fallout. However, the Soviet has officially rejected such offer. The reason for Soviet's assumption of the test was due to obliging military reasons. In response, the U.S. has suspected that Soviet has conducted secret testing before making it public.

The article reports on the military defense situation in relation to use of atomic bomb. The military defense involves Europe and North America wherein they are considered to be the vital defense. North America's defense involves military airplanes, radar screens and others while Europe's defense requires conventional defense methods and land armies, for they cannot be defended against atomic weapons. The Atlantic Union Proposal focuses on the importance of unity of interests, responsibilities and others.

Provides information on the nuclear weapons stockpiles in the United States, Russia, Great Britain, France and China. Categories of the stockpile; How the United States recycle the radioactive elements in their retired nuclear warheads.

The article presents a detailed discussion about the involvement of India regarding the detonation of a nuclear device. It emphasizes that a country that invests on nuclear weapons has a large chance of making its citizens starve to death due to lack of resources and wealth. It explains that the arms race has its own standards and principles to follow and India is not that fit to join that race. It mentions that India is awkward to be considered as a country that possesses nuclear weapons and arsenals.

The article offers information on the strategy and military readiness in the U.S. The ground-alert capability of the Strategic Air Command is kept secret but is believed to include 400 aircraft. The offer made by secretary of State Dulles to France of an atomic submarine plant has been questioned by the Joint Committee. Two high-ranking military men believed that the Americans has too many nuclear weapons of the kind that could destroy the Soviet Union many times over. Meanwhile, two high-ranking military officials believe that the country has too many nuclear weapons that are capable of destroying the Soviet Union many times over.

The article reports on the developments on the rules for weapons tests in different countries. Japan's appeals to stop Great Britain's coming hydrogen weapon tests at Christmas Island have been rejected, in response, Professor Matsushita, a special diplomat from Japan has visited British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, Sir Winston Churchill, the Pope and other influential people to mobilize opinions against the tests. Meanwhile, the British Labour Party is against the British hydrogen bomb tests and had asked to postpone the tests.

The article offers news briefs related to weapons development in the U.S. Senator Clinton Anderson has long been opposed to atomic cannon on the ground that fissionable material could better be used in small bombs. Meanwhile, both the State Department and Atomic Energy Commission officials stated on November 11, 1955 that the scientific expedition to the Antarctic was not seeking atomic or hydrogen-bomb testing ground.

The article focuses on atomic control. According to David L. Hill, President Dwight D. Eisenhower's speech before the United Nations General Assembly proposed to develop and make a more rational use of atomic energy. The FAS Committee on Disarmament and Atomic Control issued a release stating that the president's suggestions were needed to decrease the atomic threat. Moreover, Federation of American Scientists had worked for the prevention of atomic war, promotion of the well-being of the people and others.

The article offers world news briefs. President Dwight D. Eisenhower suggested that the decision to share atomic weapons with allies depends on various circumstances for the benefit of United States. The two sets of amendments regarding Atomic Energy Act include permitting military leaders to supply NATO allies with information about weapons and permitting U.S. to provide information, fissionable material and nuclear equipment to friendly nations.

The article offers world news briefs. Andrei Vishinsky announced that the strength of Soviet Union's nuclear weapons is equal to that of the West and suggested that Russia has developed weapons that are not available in the West. According to Harry Schwartz, Soviet Union's thermonuclear project was comparable to the American atomic bomb project.

The article reports on the problems of war in relation to atomic bombs. The first problem is related to the tolerance of the world in the power of an aggressor nation while the second problem is related to the development of measures in relieving the damage that would be done to a country who had engaged in war. These problems are not intended to frighten the people but to encourage them to do some measures in enhancing their programs related to the use of atomic weapons such as the atomic energy program and others.

The article presents a discussion on how significant the atomic bomb is for the society. Scientists points out that the uses of atomic energy is for the benefit and not for the destruction of humanity. They continue to explore the relationship between science and society, to give proper explanation and clarification to the basic purpose and goals of their discoveries. It tells of the implications of the atomic age, the probabilities of newer and more powerful bombs, and a workable system for the prevention of warfare and the control of atomic energy.