The first ever nuclear weapons test ("Trinity") occurred exactly 75 years ago in New Mexico.
On that day––and in the decades that followed––nuclear-armed states destroyed ecosystems, traditional lands, and communities through atmospheric testing. 🧵
fas.org/blogs/security…
On that day––and in the decades that followed––nuclear-armed states destroyed ecosystems, traditional lands, and communities through atmospheric testing. 🧵
fas.org/blogs/security…
The harms of nuclear testing have always been disproportionately felt by poor & rural folks, indigenous communities, & previously colonized peoples.
Governments lied about how "safe" nuclear testing was. Affected folks weren't warned about health effects, nor given health care.
Governments lied about how "safe" nuclear testing was. Affected folks weren't warned about health effects, nor given health care.
Today, it is rare for nuclear-armed states to even *acknowledge* the humanitarian effects of nuclear weapons.
This is because doing so would undermine each of their ongoing nuclear modernization campaigns, which collectively cost over $70 BILLION last year, via @nuclearban.
This is because doing so would undermine each of their ongoing nuclear modernization campaigns, which collectively cost over $70 BILLION last year, via @nuclearban.
Despite reductions since the Cold War, there are still more than 13,000 nuclear weapons in the world.
@FAScientists has been tracking the rise and fall of global nuclear arsenals for decades, and we are disappointed to note 5 disturbing trends re: the state of nuclear weapons.
@FAScientists has been tracking the rise and fall of global nuclear arsenals for decades, and we are disappointed to note 5 disturbing trends re: the state of nuclear weapons.
1. Every nuclear-armed state is currently in the midst of modernizing its nuclear arsenal.
Some states are increasing their stockpiles, while others are swapping out older weapons with newer, more effective ones that will endure *almost until the end of the 21st century.*
Some states are increasing their stockpiles, while others are swapping out older weapons with newer, more effective ones that will endure *almost until the end of the 21st century.*
2. Many states are expanding the role of nuclear weapons (esp. tactical nukes) in their military doctrines.
This means that many states are now increasingly posturing themselves for nuclear warfighting. This will make it very difficult to pursue significant reductions later.
This means that many states are now increasingly posturing themselves for nuclear warfighting. This will make it very difficult to pursue significant reductions later.
3. In recent years, we have also seen the decline––and general disinterest––in arms control writ large.
Today, states often seem more interested in blaming and shaming their arms control partners than pursuing measures that would make us all safer.
fas.org/blogs/security…
Today, states often seem more interested in blaming and shaming their arms control partners than pursuing measures that would make us all safer.
fas.org/blogs/security…
4. Arms races are good for business.
Weapons contractors have tremendous influence on military decisions. Sometimes, nuclear policy seems to be driven as much––if not more––by corporate interests than by humanitarian or even national security concerns.
thenation.com/article/archiv…
Weapons contractors have tremendous influence on military decisions. Sometimes, nuclear policy seems to be driven as much––if not more––by corporate interests than by humanitarian or even national security concerns.
thenation.com/article/archiv…
5a. Nuclear-armed states largely do not appear to consider nuclear disarmament to be an urgent security, humanitarian, or environmental imperative.
Instead, most states seem to consider disarmament measures to be a type of chore mandated by the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Instead, most states seem to consider disarmament measures to be a type of chore mandated by the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
5b. Moreover, nuclear-armed states seem increasingly focused on shifting the disarmament responsibility onto *non-nuclear states* by arguing that they first must create the "security conditions" that will make nuclear disarmament possible.
Although the Trinity test took place 75 years ago, its destructive legacy continues to this day.
On this 75th anniversary, we must try our best to reverse these worrying trends, reduce the arsenals, and work towards a just world eventually free from nuclear weapons.
On this 75th anniversary, we must try our best to reverse these worrying trends, reduce the arsenals, and work towards a just world eventually free from nuclear weapons.
