The threat of nuclear weapons, explained | JUST THE FAQS

Summary

Nuclear weapons, capable of devastating entire cities and impacting the environment for generations, are held by nine countries, with the US and Russia controlling 90% of the world's arsenal. The US pioneered nuclear weapons in 1945, detonating bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After the Cold War, arms control treaties like the Non-Proliferation Treaty aimed to limit nuclear proliferation. Despite a reduction in warheads, the US and Russia continue modernizing their nuclear arsenals. The US plans to spend $494 billion on upgrades between 2019 and 2028, ensuring their nuclear forces remain a significant global threat.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nine countries are part of the nuclear club, including the US, UK, Russia, France, Israel, Pakistan, India, China, and North Korea.
• 😀 Russia and the US hold 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons, with a combined total of over 13,000 nuclear warheads.
• 😀 Nuclear weapons use a nuclear reaction to create an explosion, releasing four types of energy: blast wave, light, heat, and radiation.
• 😀 The explosion from a nuclear weapon creates a fireball and a mushroom-shaped cloud, with radioactive fallout that can contaminate the environment.
• 😀 The US invented nuclear weapons, conducting the first test in 1945 and dropping bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing over 200,000 people.
• 😀 Following World War II, the Cold War sparked a nuclear arms race, with the Soviet Union, UK, and France also testing nuclear weapons.
• 😀 At the height of the nuclear arms race, there were 70,000 nuclear warheads globally, but this number has since decreased significantly.
• 😀 The UN introduced the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1968 to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, with most countries joining the treaty.
• 😀 Countries like South Sudan, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea are not part of the NPT, and these nations possess nuclear weapons.
• 😀 Despite reductions, nuclear powers like the US and Russia are modernizing their nuclear arsenals, with the US expected to spend $494 billion on upgrades from 2019 to 2028.

Q & A

What are the potential consequences of a nuclear weapon detonation?

A nuclear weapon could obliterate an entire city, killing millions and causing long-term catastrophic environmental and health effects due to radiation and fallout.

Which countries are part of the 'nuclear club' and who possesses the majority of nuclear weapons?

The 'nuclear club' consists of nine countries: the US, UK, Russia, France, Israel, Pakistan, India, China, and North Korea. However, Russia and the US together hold 90% of the world's nuclear weapons.

How many nuclear weapons are estimated to exist today?

There are over 13,000 nuclear weapons in the world today, though the exact number in each country is often a closely guarded secret.

What are the main delivery systems for nuclear weapons?

Nuclear weapons can be delivered by air, land, or sea, with systems like intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of traveling as far as 3,400 miles.

What happens when a nuclear weapon detonates?

A nuclear weapon explosion releases four types of energy: a blast wave, intense light, heat, and radiation. This creates a large fireball and a mushroom-shaped cloud, with fallout that can contaminate the environment.

When and where was the first nuclear test conducted?

The first nuclear test, known as the Trinity test, was conducted by the US in 1945.

What were the consequences of the US bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

The US dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, killing over 200,000 people and contributing to the end of World War II.

How did the Cold War influence nuclear arms development?

The Cold War triggered a nuclear arms race, with countries like the Soviet Union, UK, and France conducting nuclear tests and stockpiling weapons. At its peak, there were 70,000 nuclear warheads globally.

What is the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), and which countries are not part of it?

The NPT, introduced in 1968, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Most countries are part of it, except for South Sudan, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea.

How has the number of nuclear weapons changed since the Cold War?

Since the Cold War, the number of nuclear weapons has decreased significantly due to arms control agreements and the dismantling of retired equipment. However, nuclear powers like the US and Russia are modernizing their arsenals.

How much is the US expected to spend on modernizing its nuclear arsenal?

Between 2019 and 2028, the US is expected to spend $494 billion on modernizing its nuclear arsenal, including updating submarines, ballistic missiles, and warheads.