Documents
Nuclear Posture Review
The Congress directed the Defense Department to conduct a comprehensive Nuclear Posture Review to lay out the direction for American nuclear forces over the next five to ten years. In January 2002, the Department completed that review and prepared this report, which puts in motion a major change in the Defense Department’s approach to the role of nuclear offensive forces and presents the blueprint for transforming the nation’s strategic posture.
"National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction"
In the George W. Bush Administration, the directives that are used to promulgate Presidential decisions on national security matters are designated National Security Presidential Directives (NSPDs). NSPD-17 / HSPD 4 is the unclassified version of the White Paper entitled "National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction." The classified version of NSPD-17, as reported by the WASHINGTON TIMES on January 31, 2003, included this controversial sentence: "The United States will continue to make clear that it reserves the right to respond with overwhelming force — including potentially nuclear weapons — to the use of [weapons of mass destruction] against the United States, our forces abroad, and friends and allies."
National Security Strategy of the United States
Complete text of the White House's official security strategy.
HR 1588 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (PDF file)
Complete text of legislation.
"Origins of the Nevada Test Site." (PDF file)
This report, published by the Department of Energy provides a comprehensive illustrated history of the nation's largest nuclear testing facility.
"Low-Yield Earth-Penetrating Nuclear Weapons"
Report by Robert W. Nelson in the January/February 2001 issue of THE JOURNAL OF THE FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SCIENTISTS. Robert W. Nelson, a senior fellow for science and technology at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City and a research staff member of the program on science and global security at Princeton University.
"Nuclear Bunker Busters, Mini-Nukes, and the US Nuclear Stockpile"
Report on the new technology published by Physics Today, the publication of the American Institute of Physics (AIP).
"Pursuing a New Nuclear Weapons Policy for the 21st Century"
March 22, 2001, White Paper by president of the national security facility, Sandia National Laboratories, C. Paul Robinson on post Cold-War nuclear weapons policy alternatives.
Nuclear Policy Research Institute
The Nuclear Policy Research Institute (NPRI) was established to educate the American public through the mass media about the greatest threats to public health, medical, environmental, political and moral consequences of perpetuating nuclear weapons, power and waste. NPRI is led by Dr. Helen Caldicott, Founding President of Physicians for Social Responsibility (1978-83) and Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament (WAND); and Charles Sheehan-Miles, founding Executive Director of the National Gulf War Resource Center, Inc. and a co-founder of Veterans for Common Sense.
Report to Congress on the Defeat of Hard and Deeply Buried Targets (PDF file)
A July 2001 report submitted by the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Energy investigating the practicalities of defeating "hard and deeply buried targets." Sections include a review of requirements, assessments of current plans, identification of future potential targets, research and development efforts and cost estimates.
Report by the National Academy of Sciences "Technical Issues Related to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) (2002)"
This report came out of the 1999 failure of the Senate to ratify the treaty after President Clinton's signature. The committee's charge was to review the technical concerns regarding national safety, capabilities of monitoring systems, and the possibility that other countries still develop and test weapons systems which could escape detection.
More on treaties on nuclear weapons and testing.
Organizations and Agencies
Arms Control Today
Founded in 1971, Arms Control Today, is a national nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to promoting public understanding of and support for effective arms control policies. The Web site offers a number of resources on defense and security measures from biological weapons to NATO treaties.
Bulletin of Atomic Scientists
The Bulletin is published by The Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science (EFNS), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1949. The mission of the EFNS is "to educate citizens about global security issues, especially the continuing dangers posed by nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, and about the appropriate roles of nuclear technology."
Center for Security Policy
The Center is a not-for-profit, non-partisan educational corporation established in 1988, founded by Frank Gaffney, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Forces and Arms Control Policy during the Reagan administration. The Center's motto is "Promoting Peace Through Strength." The site hosts defense-related news, commentary and analysis.
Downwinders
This nonprofit group lobbies for the interests of those exposed to radiation from the U.S. nuclear testing program.
The research and educational foundation established in 1978 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Downwinders takes its name from the residents living in the prevailing wind pattern surrounding the Nevada Test Site.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Web site for the research and development facility jointly run by the University of California and National Nuclear Security Administration of the US Department of Energy. The modern laboratory grew up around the home of the atomic bomb, the secret research facility built at Los Alamos during World War II. The site contains information about Los Alamos history and current research projects.
Los Alamos Study Group
The group is a non-profit, research-oriented, nuclear disarmament organization based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which serves as a watchdog for the Department of Energy facility at Los Alamos, New Mexico.
National Nuclear Security Administration
The NNSA is a division of the Department of Energy. The mission of NNSA is "to enhance United States national security through the military application of nuclear energy." The Administration is responsible for nuclear armaments design, production, testing and maintenance of the nation's nuclear arsenal.
Nevada Test Site
The Department of Energy's Web site for the 1,375 square mile site — one of the largest restricted access areas in the United States. The site has information about the uses of the site, and links to the DOE's historic and environmental documentation projects.
Union of Concerned Scientists
The Union of Concerned Scientists is a nonprofit partnership of scientists and citizens combining rigorous scientific analysis, innovative policy development and effective citizen advocacy to achieve practical environmental solutions. The UCS publishes a yearly report on the use and misuse of science by the administration and Congress.
Additional defense and security sites
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