A post-launch examination of the Unha-2
Two preeminent ballistic missile experts describe what they believe occurred during North Korea's April rocket launch and what the test results reveal about Pyongyang's current missile capabilities.
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Examining North Korea’s satellite launch vehicle
While details about Pyongyang's upcoming rocket launch remain scarce, a review of North Korean missile capabilities demonstrates possible launch-vehicle configurations.
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The risk’s of North Korea’s nuclear restart
Refurbished nuclear facilities could yield Pyongyang additional nuclear weapons, but the greatest risk remains that it would export nuclear materials or know-how.
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The North Korean nuclear test: What the seismic data says
The early seismic numbers reveal that North Korea's latest nuclear test was bigger than its 2006 test but that the yield was still far short of a Hiroshima-type bomb.
How to save the world's river deltas
Scientists are considering several approaches to slowing and even reversing the pandemic deterioration of river deltas.
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Reflections on the U.N. climate change negotiations in Bali
The elusive road map to a global climate agreement begins with science--which is exceedingly clear about what our targets must be.
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Time for a U.S. energy strategy
If Washington is serious about weaning the country off of foreign oil and slashing carbon emissions, it should follow California's lead.
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The Indian approach to climate and energy policy
India may not be responsible for the high greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change, but that's no reason for New Delhi to cling to poor energy policies.
Outlaw nonconsensual human experiments now
Throughout the Cold War, the U.S. government tested the effects of radiation and mind-control drugs on unsuspecting Americans. Think we've come a long way since then? Think again.
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The security impact of the neurosciences
The U.S. government is exploring using a bevy of advanced neuroscience technologies to support security-related missions--but at what cost?
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The military application of neuroscience research
Defense officials have dreamt up a range of uses for neuroscience research aimed at monitoring brain function and affecting brain performance in humans and animals alike. Yet, the impact of this research is just beginning to become apparent.
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The militarization of neuroscience
The U.S. military's interest in physics helped produce the Bomb. Now the Pentagon is mining neuroscience for a host of futuristic weapons.
The demise of the pebble bed modular reactor
With South Africa's pebble bed modular reactor teetering on the edge of oblivion, what does the future hold for this once-celebrated reactor design?
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Africa's pursuit of nuclear power
Like the rest of the world, many questions need to be answered before Africa can view nuclear power as a viable solution to its energy woes.
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Eastern Europe's nuclear dilemma
Former Eastern Bloc states that joined the EU were forced to close their Soviet-era nuclear plants. Ironically the move has pushed them back into Moscow's orbit.
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Who will succeed ElBaradei?
After a failed March vote, predicting who will be the IAEA's next director-general is murkier than ever.
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Behind the scenes of Three Mile Island
In the midst of the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history, former NRC Commissioner Victor Gilinsky writes that it was not all deadly serious--at some points it was just absurd.
Web Edition
Columnists
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Profile
Iran: Looking forward
As Tehran's hard-liners reassert their authority after the country's disputed election, it will be harder than ever to convince them to abandon their nuclear program.
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Profile
Budgeting for national security
It may seem as though President Obama is restraining defense spending, but he continues to let the Pentagon do his strategic security planning for him.
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Profile
Can the U.S. lead the way on dual-use education?
A new report by a prominent U.S. biosecurity group presents a strategy for getting the word out on dual-use life science research. Will the world follow?
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Profile
The problems with the Department of Homeland Security
Since its inception, DHS has been plagued with bureaucratic infighting and a bloated mandate, leaving the United States unprepared for a future terrorist attack or natural disaster.
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Profile
The CTBT debate begins again
With President Obama vowing "aggressive" and "immediate" ratification of the CTBT, the treaty's opponents already have started practicing their arguments against it.
Analysis
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A post-launch examination of the Unha-2
Two preeminent ballistic missile experts describe what they believe occurred during North Korea's April rocket launch and what the test results reveal about Pyongyang's current missile capabilities.
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Will the Senate support new nuclear arms reductions?
Nothing in Washington comes easy; yet early indications are that there is strong bipartisan support for a new arms control agreement between the United States and Russia.
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The demise of the pebble bed modular reactor
With South Africa's pebble bed modular reactor teetering on the edge of oblivion, what does the future hold for this once-celebrated reactor design?
Op-Eds
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Achieving détente with Iran
Despite the post-election chaos in Iran, the U.S.-Iranian relationship isn't damaged irreparably. Tehran's nuclear program just can't serve as the starting point of a new dialogue.
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Marketing new chemical weapons
Chemical weapons that were considered offensive and unsafe are getting a linguistic makeover. But don't be fooled. Their names might have changed, but they're still just as dangerous.
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Time for a missile test ban
Missile tests are occurring with alarming frequency these days--see recent activities by North Korea and Iran. So the time might be right to seek a global missile test ban.
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Locking down the NPT
The ability of countries to leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty without penalty must be rectified. The recent nuclear test by North Korea, a former treaty member, is a case in point.
Special Topics
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The North Korean nuclear test
Once again, North Korea has managed to capture the world's attention with its nuclear weapons program--this time by conducting its second nuclear test. Not surprisingly, the action drew scorn from Pyongyang's allies (e.g., China) and adversaries (e.g., the United States) alike. A technical and political look at Monday's test.
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The legacy of Iraq's nuclear weapons program
Saddam's nuclear weapons program is destroyed, but its impact on Iraq and its people persists. For years independent experts and international monitors tried to piece together the facts. Now a new report by a U.S.-led research team offers the most complete accounting to date of the condition of Al Tuwaitha, the country's largest former nuclear weapons site.
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Inside the Iranian nuclear program
Using the occasion of his country's "Nuclear Technology Day," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced two breakthroughs in Tehran's nuclear program. Iran is getting closer to its stated goal of a peaceful nuclear energy program--or according to its doubters, a nuclear weapon. An examination of Iran's quest to master the atom.
Doomsday Clock
Announcements
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Current Edition
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Emerging strategic dilemmas in U.S.-Chinese relations
Since the Cold War, arms control negotiations have been strictly a bilateral affair between Washington and Moscow. But as times have changed, so must this dynamic. Enter China.
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Interview: Stephen Schneider
With climate change now front and center on the Obama administration's radar, a leading climate researcher's decades-long effort to communicate to the public the true scope of menace is bearing fruit.
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A new theory for nuclear disarmament
The international system's dynamic, constantly changing character should warn against contemplating a grand disarmament plan along traditional lines. We need a new theory because we have a new system.
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How light water reactors figure into negotiations with North Korea
North Korea badly needs energy assistance and has long wanted it in the form of light water reactors, creating a potential bargaining chip in the next round of discussions with Pyongyang.