Monthly Archives: April 2011

North Korea Might Consider Unilateral Nuclear Disarmament

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Martin Hellman

Today’s Global Security Newswire reported: “Former U.S. President Carter on Wednesday said North Korea would not consider shuttering its nuclear program without a security pledge from the United States.” While, on the surface, that sounds different from this post’s headline, rephrasing it produces a much more hopeful perspective: “Former U.S. President Carter on Wednesday said North Korea might consider shuttering its nuclear program if it could obtain a security pledge from the United States.” Continue reading →

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Reversing the Race to Oblivion

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Martin Hellman

Over forty years ago, Herbert York, the first Director of Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, published a book, Race to Oblivion: A Participant’s View of the Arms Race. Unfortunately, its basic conclusions are as applicable today as in 1970. Most critically, York observes that our obsession with technology, coupled with an open bar tab for weapons systems has led to the absurd situation “that ever since World War II the military power of the United States has been steadily increasing, while at the same time our national security has been rapidly and inexorably decreasing.” Other key observations include: Continue reading →

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