Bulletin of Atomic Scientists May/June Issue

Will nuclear modernization keep the world balanced--or destabilize it?

All major nuclear powers have modernization programs in progress, with the US modernization program slated to bring profound changes to all three legs of the nuclear triad. At the same time, the Trump administration has launched a new nuclear posture review, pushing for a large buildup in conventional forces. This special issue on nuclear modernization examines the effects any new buildup of conventional forces could have on the financing of US nuclear modernization, the political coalitions that support it, and overall strategic stability of the effort. You'll also get free access to an interview with environmentalist and entrepreneur Paul Hawken about Project Drawdown, “the most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming.” We've also got great coverage of the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty, a thorough examination of DARPA in the age of hybrid war, the closing of Japan's Monju fast breeder reactor, and a review of Uncommon Cause: A Life at Odds with Convention, a memoir from General George Lee Butler, the man who spearheaded a drastic realignment of post-Cold War nuclear forces. Here’s what you need to know: The political and military vulnerability of America’s land-based nuclear missiles Jon Wolfsthal Free-access article The ambiguity challenge: Why the world needs a multilateral nuclear cruise missile agreement Christine Parthemore Homeland missile defense: How the United States got here Thomas Karako Adapting nuclear modernization to the new administration Adam Mount Free-access article Rising tensions, nuclear modernizations: How Washington can turn down the heat Lawrence J. Korb Interview Paul Hawken: “Game on” for global warming Dawn Stover Free-access article Other features How will NATO’s non-nuclear members handle the UN’s ban on nuclear weapons? Tom Sauer Closing Japan’s Monju fast breeder reactor: The possible implications Masa Takubo Book reviews Here be dragons: DARPA in the age of hybrid war Brad Allenby Cold combat: The memoir of a nuclear convert Janne E. Nolan Global Forum Ban the Bomb by… banning the Bomb? Editor’s note Lucien Crowder A Ukrainian response Polina Sinovets A Turkish response Mustafa Kibaroglu A South African response Joelien Pretorius

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