The Ageing Backbone of America’s Nuclear Deterrent
How the US is keeping its decades-old land-based missiles running — and why Russia’s effort looks very different. When the United States
The DEFCON Warning System™
The World’s Only Public Nuclear Threat Advisory System. Independent, real-time analysis of global nuclear tensions. Since 1984.
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The Erosion of Deterrence: Why Tactical Nuclear Weapons Are Becoming Thinkable Again
For decades after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the very notion of using nuclear weapons was considered unthinkable. A powerful nuclear taboo took hold
What the Military DEFCON Levels Actually Mean
There’s a lot of noise online about “going to DEFCON 1.” Here’s a clear, sourced explainer—what each level is, who sets it,
Where the U.S. Might Strike: Potential Nuclear Targets in Russia
Last week, we examined potential nuclear targets in the United States in the event of a full-scale war with Russia. This week,
Worried but Unready: How Prepared Are Americans for Disaster?
The United States experienced 27 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2024, with an estimated $182.7B in damages—second-highest number on record.
The Hidden Bombs: What You Don’t See in Official Nuclear Counts
Nuclear weapons are often discussed in terms of official treaties and declared stockpiles. But lurking behind those official numbers are additional warheads
Who Can Launch in 15 Minutes? A Look at Nuclear Readiness Around the World
In a nuclear confrontation, minutes—not hours—determine outcomes. The size of a nuclear arsenal is only one part of the equation. Equally critical—and
Armageddon’s New Arms Race: The 2025 Nuclear Buildup
It has been over three decades since the Cold War ended, yet global nuclear arsenals are once again on the rise. Nuclear-armed
Is America Ready to Survive Nuclear War?
Imagine the warning sirens blaring or an emergency alert flashing on your phone: a nuclear attack is imminent. You have mere minutes
From Decision to Detonation: The U.S. Nuclear Launch Process Explained
In a world where geopolitical tensions can escalate quickly and the stakes are nothing short of civilization itself, few procedures are more
The Silent Race: How China and the U.S. Are Redefining Nuclear Deterrence in the Pacific
In the vast expanse of the Pacific, a quiet but consequential nuclear competition is underway. China and the United States are modernizing