Resources
There are many resources available online about nuclear weapons, their impact and function, recent developments regarding legal and political frameworks related to nuclear weapons, and more.
We’ve collected a selection of resources to help you understand nuclear weapons and the work that has been done toward reducing their threat and making progress toward their elimination. By clicking on a link, you will be redirected away from our website to the source listed.
Written Documents
The Effects of Nuclear Weapons, 3rd Edition
Compiled and edited by Samuel Glasstone and Philip J. Dolan
Prepared and published by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of Energy, this study draws on atmospheric tests as well as laboratory studies, theoretical calculations, and computer simulations to give a comprehensive look into the effects of nuclear weapons.
Publication Year: 1977
Physics and Society: Nuclear Arms Control
Compiled and edited by Alexander Glaser and Zia Mian
This “Resource Letter” for the American Association of Physics Teachers provides a guide to the literature on nuclear arms control for the non-specialist. Journal articles and books are cited for the following topics: nuclear weapons, fissile materials, nonproliferation, missiles and missile defenses, verification, disarmament, and the role of scientists in arms control.
Publication Year: 2008
The Nuclear Notebook
Since 1987, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has published the Nuclear Notebook, an authoritative accounting of world nuclear arsenals compiled by top experts from the Federation of American Scientists (FAS). Today, it is prepared by Hans M. Kristensen and Matt Korda of FAS. Because of its importance to researchers, governments, and citizens around the world, the Nuclear Notebook is always free-to-access.
Organizations and Websites
Arms Control Association is a national nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to promoting public understanding of and support for effective arms control policies.
Congress.Gov shows the status of the annual National Defense Authorization Acts and National Defense Appropriations Acts for the coming fiscal year, along with reports from the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.
Congressional Budget Office puts out an annual report, Projected Costs of U.S. Nuclear Forces (2021-2030), and estimates for the impacts of proposals for canceling, downsizing or increasing various programs.
Congressional Research Service: You can search “nuclear weapons” for background reports and issues for a variety of nuclear-weapon programs subject to annual Congressional appropriations and oversight.
Council for a Livable World provides a “National Security Legislative Calendar”. Additionally their partner, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation offers research and education on national security policies and arms control.
Government Accountability Office investigates government programs based on requests from congressional committees and publishes reports.
House Armed Services Committee provides a list of legislation and resources such as proposals, summaries and rulings related to the National Defense Authorization Act.
International Panel on Fissile Materials provides data on global and national stocks of the two chain-reacting (fissile) materials used in nuclear weapons and used as reactor fuels: highly-enriched uranium and plutonium.
Union of Concerned Scientists Global Security Program focuses on nuclear weapons. Their work includes analyses of U.S. missile defenses, new nuclear weapon systems, nuclear terrorism, and the risks posed by US nuclear policies.
Journals
Science and Global Security: An international journal for peer-reviewed scientific and technical studies to support international security, arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation policy. The journal covers nuclear, biological, chemical, space and cyber technologies and programs and related security issues.
Arms Control Today: A monthly journal on nonproliferation and global security that provides policymakers, the press, and the interested public with information, analysis, and commentary on arms control proposals, negotiations and agreements, and related national security issues.