Center for American Progress Center for American Progress
Issues National Security Nuclear & Biological Weapons

Nuclear & Biological Weapons

Top Features

Contain and Engage

Contain and Engage

Joseph Cirincione and Andrew Grotto outline five options and an effective strategy for resolving the nuclear crisis with Iran.

Other Nuclear & Biological Weapons Features

June 17, 2008

The U.S. Air Force's Indifference Toward Nuclear Weapons

During the Cold War, the U.S. Air Force received a bulk of the country's defense budget because of its significant role in delivering nuclear weapons. But after the Soviet Union disintegrated, the air force became more interested in traditional air missions and the next generation of fighter planes. This disinterest manifested itself in two recent nuclear-related mishaps that cost the air force chief of staff and secretary their jobs. Generally, the military considers nuclear weapons costly and unnecessary, as conventional weapons can capably complete nuclear missions. By Lawrence J. Korb
April 2, 2008

AP: China Gives IAEA Intel on Iran

By Andrew J. Grotto
April 1, 2008

Shooting for the Stars: Ballistic Missiles by the Numbers

Ballistic missiles are no longer the threat to the U.S. they once were, yet missile defense programs are still funded generously.
March 11, 2008

BBC Poll Offers Odd Frame to the Issue of Iran Nukes

The headline from the press release of a new BBC World Service poll reads Declining Support for Tough Measures against Iran’s Nuclear Program: Global Poll. This poll is flawed and should be interpreted with caution. By Andrew J. Grotto
February 22, 2008

Will Iran Ever Address Key Issues?

New report shows Iran is willing to explain many lingering issues, but not the most sensitive ones relating to alleged weapons-related activities. By Andrew J. Grotto
February 14, 2008

Russia's Subtle Shift on Iran

Iran’s ballistic missile tests last week have sparked unusually harsh criticism from Russia. According to the BBC, Russian officials have said the tests "raised suspicion over the true aim of [Iran’s] nuclear programme." This is remarkable coming from Moscow, and the latest sign of a potentially significant shift in Russia’s stance on Iran. Through 2007, Russia was the main obstacle in UNSC efforts to tighten the thumb screws on Iran, preferring bilateral diplomacy with Tehran over the international sanctions route. By Andrew J. Grotto
January 17, 2008

The Eliminators

A large majority of former national security cabinet officials want to eliminate nuclear weapons, reiterating their call with an op-ed this week. By Joseph Cirincione, Alexandra Bell
January 16, 2008

Ask the Expert: The Death of a Doctrine

What should we expect from the Bush administration on non-proliferation and Iran in 2008? And how can we begin rebuilding U.S. strategy? By Joseph Cirincione
December 28, 2007

Top Five Nuclear Issues of 2007

Looking back at 2007 and ahead to 2008 reveals nuclear threats but also opportunities, write Joseph Cirincione and Alexandra Bell By Joseph Cirincione, Alexandra Bell
December 16, 2007

Bloggingheads: A Would-Be Messiah

By Joseph Cirincione
December 6, 2007

A Diplomatic About-Face: Bush Writes Kim. Should Iran Be Next?

After sending a letter to North Korea’s leader, what’s stopping the president from engaging Iran, ask Grotto and Cirincione. By Andrew J. Grotto, Joseph Cirincione
December 4, 2007

Nuclear Shock Therapy: New Report Refutes White House Case for War with Iran

White House war fever is checked just in time by its own intelligence agencies, write Joseph Cirincione and Andrew Grotto. By Joseph Cirincione, Andrew J. Grotto
November 16, 2007

A Report Half Empty: Iran Needs to Level with the IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency deserves more answers from Iran on its nuclear development program, argue Joseph Cirincione and Andrew Grotto. By Joseph Cirincione, Andrew J. Grotto
November 1, 2007

Cassandra’s Conundrum

By Joseph Cirincione
October 11, 2007

The Nuclear Catch

By Joseph Cirincione, William W. Keller, Gordon R. Mitchell
August 21, 2007

The Middle East's Nuclear Surge

Joe Cirincione and Uri Leventer argue that Iran's still-developing nuclear program is already sending ripples through the Middle East. By Joseph Cirincione, Uri Leventer
August 7, 2007

Atomic Echoes

Joseph Cirincione looks back on the rise of nuclear arsenals and discusses why we may be ready to heed the original warnings of nuclear scientists. By Joseph Cirincione
July 23, 2007

Nuclear Summer

Cirincione and Leventer discuss this summer’s dramatic reminder of all four nuclear threats and the harbinger of a fifth. By Joseph Cirincione, Uri Leventer
July 18, 2007

Arms Control's New Movement

By Joseph Cirincione
July 12, 2007

Smarter Sanctions for Iran

Legislation to broaden sanctions against Iran will only work if it is focused on clear international objectives, argues Andrew Grotto. By Andrew J. Grotto
July 12, 2007

China's Proliferation Policies and Practices: Testimony of Joseph Cirincione

Senior CAP Fellow Joseph Cirincione testifies on China's proliferation and the impact of trade policy on defense industries in the U.S. and China.
May 10, 2007

Resolving the Deadliest Nuclear Threats

Cirincione outlines a strategy for addressing nuclear threats from terrorism, fuel technology, new weapon states, and existing arsenals. By Joseph Cirincione
May 8, 2007

Global Ballistic Missile Arsenals, 2007

By Andrew Wade
May 8, 2007

Get Smart on Ballistic Missiles

Detailed analysis of ballistic missile arsenals shows that the U.S.’ enormous anti-missile budget could be better spent. By Joseph Cirincione, Andrew Wade
April 30, 2007

How to Resolve the Iranian Nukes Crisis, In Just Three Steps

Confused about the Iranian nukes crisis? Here's an explanation of the situation and how CAP's experts think we should handle it.
April 2, 2007

Toxic Trains and the Terrorist Threat

New report outlines how water utilities can get chlorine gas off of railways and out of American communities.
March 28, 2007

Countering Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions

Andrew Grotto argues that U.N. sanctions are a good first step, but the U.S. must maintain this international unity to end the Iran nuclear crisis. By Andrew J. Grotto
March 23, 2007

The Value of a Unified U.N. Security Council

Spencer Boyer explains the negotiations that led to important U.N. Security Council resolutions on the nuclear crises in North Korea and Iran. By Spencer P. Boyer
March 21, 2007

Iraq: Nuclear Boomerang

By Joseph Cirincione
March 20, 2007

We Got Tubed—Again

By Joseph Cirincione
March 19, 2007

Change of Course

March 14, 2007

Curbing the Iran Nuclear Crisis

CAP’s Joseph Cirincione and Andrew Grotto propose a strategy to combine containment with diplomacy to curb Iran’s enrichment of uranium.
March 11, 2007

Is the North Korea Deal Worth Celebrating?

By Andrew J. Grotto
March 7, 2007

A New Strategy for Iran

New CAP report detailing a strategy for resolving the Iranian nuclear crisis receives warm reception from Iran experts
February 23, 2007

Pragmatism Trumps Ideology on North Korea

The deal cut with North Korea is only a first step toward a grander bargain that will require White House pragmatists to win out over the ideologues. By Andrew J. Grotto
February 13, 2007

North Korean Pressure Points

Joe Cirincione details the six factors that led to a nuclear deal with North Korea--and that could ensure its implementation. By Joseph Cirincione
January 18, 2007

Breakthrough in Sight: U.S. Talks with North Korea Get Serious

Reversing course, Bush administration tries direct negotiations with Pyongyang to curb North Korea's nuclear weapons program. It's about time. By Joseph Cirincione, Andrew J. Grotto
December 14, 2006

Still Not Ready

Study shows that states need better public health infrastructure and closer coordination; Andy Grotto that can only happen with federal guidance. By Andrew J. Grotto
December 12, 2006

Dismal Legacy of 109th Congress

Incoming congressional leaders have plenty on their plate to fix after the 109th Congress leaves town with budgeting woefully incomplete.
December 11, 2006

A Nonproliferation Disaster

U.S.-India nuclear deal blows a hole in the fabric of U.S. nonproliferation law, write Daryl G. Kimball and Joseph Cirincione. By Daryl G. Kimball, Joseph Cirincione
December 5, 2006

Ask The Expert: Facing Iran

Cirincione outlines the need for an updated nonproliferation agreement and major changes to the hazardous Bush administration approach. By Graham Webster
November 17, 2006

Committee Hearing Calls for Direct Talks with North Korea

Direct negotiations are clearly not a partisan issue, but the only feasible option to deal with the threat of a nuclear Korean peninsula. By Rachel Weise
November 15, 2006

Fix the Nuclear Trade Deal with India

A lame duck session is no time to consider the Bush administration's nuclear assistance deal with India. This pact requires more review.
November 14, 2006

Building an Effective Strategy in Iran

U.S. has nothing to lose and everything to gain from entering into direct diplomacy with Iran.
November 1, 2006

Tough Diplomacy Works: Pyongyang Responds to Sticks and Carrots

Cirincione argues U.S. must jettison "regime change" rhetoric in favor of proven diplomatic solutions to nuclear proliferation in Northeast Asia. By Joseph Cirincione
October 20, 2006

Practical Alternatives

But a tough policy of containment directed at North Korea and Iran, and a change of course in Iraq, would do the trick. By Joseph Cirincione
October 16, 2006

The Failure of Regime Change

Bush foreign policy fails America, but it’s not too late to change course. By Joseph Cirincione
October 15, 2006

Who's Next to Go Nuclear?

By Andrew J. Grotto
October 9, 2006

North Korea Nuclear Timeline

Virtually all of North Korea’s nuclear growth has occurred under conservative administrations known for their "strength" on defense. By Rachel Weise

» More

Where We Stand on National Security

CAP’s national security approach embodies progressive traditions that have protected our nation and nurtured our democratic ideals and freedom at home and abroad. Our policy priorities secure our country from attack and protect our national security interests abroad by ensuring our military forces are capable and ready, and our democratic alliances are strong and enduring. We understand that integrated military, diplomatic, and economic power guided by progressive ideals makes us safer and more prosperous.