The end of Japan's nuclear taboo
As memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki fade, a new generation in Japan is doing something once thought impossible--talking about nuclear weapons.
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Britain's new nuclear abolitionists
First, four U.S. policy elites surprisingly suggested that a nuclear-weapon-free world is attainable. Now, a foursome of prominent British policy makers have made a similar call.
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Deciphering NNSA's Complex Transformation
The National Nuclear Security Administration's plan to revamp the country's nuclear complex is short on innovative ideas and not particularly well-timed.
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The U.S. Air Force's indifference toward nuclear weapons
While nuclear weapons once contributed to the air force's prestige, they're now an albatross around its neck--see a string of recent miscues as evidence.
Breaking the tyranny of oil
Instead of lamenting record-high prices at the pump, the United States should impose taxes to keep them at such levels in hopes of breaking its reliance on gasoline and diesel.
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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.
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Public safety and transporting ethanol
Ethanol production is growing exponentially, but firefighters' ability to respond to emergencies involving alternative fuels hasn't kept pace.
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Has the time come for geoengineering?
In theory, scientists understand how to manipulate Earth's climate systems enough to cause cooling, therefore blunting the effects of global warming. Is it time then to fast-track a geoengineering research agenda to refine such techniques?
The reality of France's aggressive nuclear power push
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is promising to sell his country's nuclear power technology to any country that wants it--but how plausible is his offer?
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Belarus takes a second look at nuclear energy
Although its populace has a severe, Chernobyl-induced nuclear allergy, the Belarusian government views nuclear power as the key to ending its energy woes.
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Nuclear waste repository case studies: The Netherlands
Although early in the process, the Dutch government has begun to discuss what to do with its reprocessed nuclear waste.
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The future of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear power is offered as a solution to U.S. reliance on fossil fuels and impending climate change. But can the existing federal regulatory structure handle the demands of a revitalized industry?
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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Biological threat reduction in Central Asia
Still coping with the residue from Soviet-era bioweapons programs, Central Asian scientists are using foreign assistance to improve their region's disease surveillance capabilities.
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Food-borne illness: Attack of the killer tomatoes
As the United States experiences its largest foodborne outbreak in a decade, some prudent personal precautions could prevent future illnesses from occurring.
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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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Making the dual-use problem a "piece of cake"
Perhaps scientists need to see the life sciences' dual-use problem in more personal terms.
Web Edition
Columnists
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Profile
The fallacy of the Megatons to Megawatts program
The program that turns Russian highly enriched uranium into U.S. electricity isn't as significant a boon to nonproliferation as advertised.
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Profile
Food-borne illness: Attack of the killer tomatoes
As the United States experiences its largest foodborne outbreak in a decade, some prudent personal precautions could prevent future illnesses from occurring.
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Profile
Making the dual-use problem a "piece of cake"
Perhaps scientists need to see the life sciences' dual-use problem in more personal terms.
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Profile
Breaking the tyranny of oil
Instead of lamenting record-high prices at the pump, the United States should impose taxes to keep them at such levels in hopes of breaking its reliance on gasoline and diesel.
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Profile
Establishing the next president's national security agenda: The role of the White House
It's incumbent upon either Barack Obama or John McCain to revamp how the White House offices formulate U.S. national security policy. Here's how they should do it.
Features
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Deproliferation: An approach to preventing nuclear terrorism
Keeping terrorists from acquiring a nuclear capability begins and ends with ensuring that the world's most unstable and noncompliant countries remain nuclear-free.
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Can space weapons protect U.S. satellites?
In short, no. Although many in the United States think so--despite technical evidence to the contrary.
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Biological threat reduction in Central Asia
Still coping with the residue from Soviet-era bioweapons programs, Central Asian scientists are using foreign assistance to improve their region's disease surveillance capabilities.
Roundtables
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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 future of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear power is offered as a solution to U.S. reliance on fossil fuels and impending climate change. But can the existing federal regulatory structure handle the demands of a revitalized industry? Our four discussants explore the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's future.
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Has the time come for geoengineering?
In theory, scientists understand how to manipulate Earth's climate systems enough to cause cooling, therefore blunting the effects of global warming. Is it time then to fast-track a geoengineering research agenda to refine such techniques?
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The expanding range of biowarfare threats
The development of biochemical weapons based on body substances would broaden the scope of the biowarfare threat beyond microbial pathogens and toxins. Our experts assess the impact of these new lethal and incapacitating agents.
Reports
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Nuclear waste repository case studies: The Netherlands
Although early in the process, the Dutch government has begun to discuss what to do with its reprocessed nuclear waste.
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The Trident Dispatches No. 6: Reaction to the vote
Trident renewal passes but leaves a fractured Labour Party and questions about the future of the nonproliferation regime in its wake.
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The Trident Dispatches No. 5: Voting day
A vote for Trident renewal today certainly doesn't end the debate, which promises to continue well into the future.
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Minimum deterrence
How low can nuclear arsenals go?
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The carbon frontier
Financial pioneers are literally reaching for the sky by monetizing Earth’s atmosphere. Has the omnipotent market finally met its match?
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The plant detective
A plant pathologist turned scientist-detective explains why the source of an infectious plant disease matters.
News Feed
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Are We Winning the War on Terror?
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Why should the military get a scarce pandemic flu vaccine before almost everyone else?
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Russia's Mojito Squadron
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Bharat Heavy to Triple Nuclear Investments After Pact
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Ignalina nuclear power plant asks permission to increase price on electricity
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Uranium spot price of $64.50/lb lower than expected: analysts
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Task force to review Illinois' nuclear power moratorium
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New French reactor to supply nuclear-shy neighbours
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Missouri Town Powered Entirely by Wind
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An Oilman's Bet Against Oil
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Got Water?
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Commercial Bees Spreading Disease To Wild Pollinating Bees