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.

U.S. President Barack Obama talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during a phone call in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington (REUTERS/Pete Souza/The White House/Handout).

Opinion

15-Minute Phone Call Cause for Hope in U.S.-Iran Relations

October 2, 2013, Bessma Momani

Bessma Momani discusses the phone call between U.S. President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, which she says represents a remarkable opportunity to end long-standing hostility.

Recent Activity

Refine by: Nonproliferation | Weapons of Mass Destruction | weapons | Arms Control

Book

The Opportunity
Next Steps in Reducing Nuclear Arms

2012, Steven Pifer and Michael E. O'Hanlon
Book

The Future of Pakistan

2011, Stephen P. Cohen, ed.
Book

Business and Nonproliferation
Industry's Role in Safeguarding a Nuclear Renaissance

2011, Charles K. Ebinger and John P. Banks, eds.
Book

No Exit: North Korea, Nuclear Weapons, and International Security

2011, Jonathan D. Pollack
Book

A Skeptic's Case for Nuclear Disarmament

2010, Michael E. O'Hanlon
Book

Restoring the Balance
A Middle East Strategy for the Next President

2008, Richard N. Haass and Martin S. Indyk
Book

Crisis on the Korean Peninsula
How to Deal with a Nuclear North Korea

2003, Michael E. O'Hanlon and Mike M. Mochizuki
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The Third Force
The Rise of Transnational Civil Society

2000, Ann Florini