How many countries have nuclear weapons and how many are there? How destructive are today’s nuclear weapons? What about “nuclear deterrence” theory? Do nuclear weapons help keep the peace? What is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons? What is nuclear sharing and who is involved? Can a NATO state join the TPNW? What about the Middle East? Why does this treaty matter if none of the countries with nuclear weapons have joined? Did Ukraine give up nuclear weapons? Why should one country give up its nuclear weapons if other countries still have them? Why should countries that don’t have nuclear weapons care about this treaty? What is the “Eurobomb” and why are European politicians talking about it? What are "tactical" nuclear weapons? What are 'dirty bombs'? What are space nuclear weapons? Who makes the decisions around the nuclear weapons stationed abroad? What are the risks of nuclear sharing? Is nuclear sharing legal? Will the US and UK resume nuclear sharing at Lakenheath air base? What is the nuclear test ban treaty and why has Russia revoked its ratification? What is the New START Agreement and why has Russia suspended its implementation? What are gravity bombs and why is the US building the new B61-13 nuclear weapon? What about attacks on nuclear facilities? How is the ban treaty verifiable?

The global stockpile has been reduced significantly since the height of the Cold War, is that a sign that the nuclear weapon states are on the right track?

Answer

The arms race is not over. Despite reductions of the huge arsenals throughout the cold war, there are still more than 16,000 nuclear warheads remaining. And while the stockpiles have gone down since the 1980s, three more states (India, Pakistan and North Korea) have tested and developed nuclear weapons. At the moment, all nuclear-armed states are undergoing significant maintenance and modernization programmes. Instead of a race for more nuclear weapons, the race has become about more advanced nuclear weapons.

 

So despite a lower number, “better” and more advanced nuclear weapons with more firepower still remain a central part of the nuclear-armed states military policies, with many warheads constantly on high alerts.