Defense and Security

Nuclear Weapons

In Brief

At least nine nations are believed to have nuclear weapons – the United States, Russia, England, France, China, Pakistan, India, North Korea and Israel. Other nations may have nuclear weapons or are working towards them, most notably Iran. At the height of the Cold War in 1985, there were believed to be 65,000 nuclear weapons in the world. As a result of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and unilateral decisions by some countries, this number has been reduced to about 20,000.

Members of Iran's Basij militia march during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran (REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl).

Article

Lessons from America’s First War with Iran

Summer 2013, Bruce Riedel

With the recent gridlock in negotiations over the Iranian nuclear issue, both the U.S. and Iran find themselves at a crossroads with the prospect for a potential conflict looming. In this climate of increased tensions, Bruce Riedel recommends that current policy be informed by lessons learned during America’s often forgotten involvement in the Iraq-Iran War.

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