Nuclear Defense

Nuclear Defense involves the protection against nuclear weapons and radioactive materials that are harmful to human beings, animals, and the environment.

What is nuclear warfare and how does it differ from conventional warfare?

Quote: "Nuclear warfare, also known as atomic warfare, is a military conflict or prepared political strategy that deploys nuclear weaponry."

What are the long-term effects of a major nuclear exchange?

Quote: "A major nuclear exchange would likely have long-term effects, primarily from the fallout released, and could also lead to secondary effects, such as 'nuclear winter,' nuclear famine, and societal collapse."

When and where were the only instances of nuclear weapons being used in armed conflict?

Quote: "To date, the only use of nuclear weapons in armed conflict occurred in 1945 with the American atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki."

How many people died as a result of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Quote: "Together, these two bombings resulted in the deaths of approximately 200,000 people."

Which countries developed nuclear weapons after World War II?

Quote: "In 1974, India, and in 1998, Pakistan, two countries that were openly hostile toward each other, developed nuclear weapons."

What is the status of Israel and North Korea regarding nuclear weapons?

Quote: "Israel (1960s) and North Korea (2006) are also thought to have developed stocks of nuclear weapons, though it is not known how many."

Which country became the first to destroy its domestically made nuclear weapons stocks?

Quote: "South Africa also manufactured several complete nuclear weapons in the 1980s but subsequently became the first country to voluntarily destroy their domestically made weapons stocks and abandon further production (1990s)."

How many nuclear weapons have been detonated for testing purposes and demonstrations?

Quote: "Nuclear weapons have been detonated on over 2,000 occasions for testing purposes and demonstrations."

What has been the focus of nuclear weapons concerns since the end of the Cold War?

Quote: "Since then, concern over nuclear weapons has shifted to the prevention of localized nuclear conflicts resulting from nuclear proliferation, and the threat of nuclear terrorism."

Why has the threat of nuclear war resurfaced in recent times?

Quote: "The threat of nuclear war is considered to have resurged after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, particularly with regard to Russian threats to use nuclear weapons during the invasion."

How does the Doomsday Clock measure the world's proximity to nuclear war?

Quote: "Since 1947, the Doomsday Clock of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has visualized how close the world is to a nuclear war."

What were the high points in the Doomsday Clock's time setting?

Quote: "The Doomsday Clock reached high points in 1953 when the Clock was set to two minutes until midnight after the U.S. and the Soviet Union began testing hydrogen bombs."

Why did the Doomsday Clock advance in 2018?

Quote: "The Doomsday Clock reached high points... in 2018, following the failure of world leaders to address tensions relating to nuclear weapons and climate change issues."

What is the current time setting of the Doomsday Clock?

Quote: "Since 2023, the Clock has been set at 90 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been."

What was the reason for the recent advancement of the Doomsday Clock?

Quote: "The most recent advance of the Clock's time setting was largely attributed to the risk of nuclear escalation that arose from the Russian invasion of Ukraine."