Nuclear weapons: how much do we know?

There has been much talk about nuclear weapons over the past several weeks. This follows the signing of a new nuclear weapons agreement between the United States and Russia. It seeks to cut the global nuclear threat.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, “nuclear weapons continue to be a threat to our security and even a small nuclear exchange, far away, would have serious human, environmental and economic consequences — greatly impacting everyone on the planet”.

Early this month the Obama administration released its Nuclear Posture Review which maps out US nuclear weapons policy for the next five to 10 years.

US President Barack Obama convened a nuclear security summit last week followed by a similar meeting organised by the Iranian government  this weekend.

How much do we (and I am referring to the non-experts) know about nuclear weapons?

The following are links for updates on the issue.

E-journal: A World Free of Nuclear Weapons

2010 Nuclear Posture Review Report

Toward true security (executive summary)

Toward True Security 2008

Nuclear Weapons: How They Work

Worldwide Nuclear Arsenals: Fact Sheet