Nuclear Weapons Policy

A nuclear war, whether initiated through accident, miscalculation, or deliberate use, could result in fatalities in the first few days on the scale of World War I or World War II. Billions more people could be threatened by crop devastation from climate effects. The ensuing chaos could irrevocably destabilise civilization and leave us more vulnerable to other existential threats.

Russia’s nuclear threats after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine are a reminder that nuclear weapons are not a thing of the past. Many experts believe we are entering a new nuclear age marked by greater geopolitical conflict and rapid technological change. Risk of nuclear use has increased since Russia’s invasion, with some analysts arguing this is the most dangerous moment since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

A world in which nuclear weapons spread and are used again and again is one possible future, but it is not inevitable. Nuclear threats can be addressed through careful diplomacy backed by sound science. Over the past eight decades, we have seen how leaders, scientists, scholars, journalists, and engaged citizens made a difference in understanding the risks inherent in the nuclear age and creating solutions. We seek to build on this success, focusing on the most extreme nuclear risks: wars involving the US, Russia, and China.

Are you a major philanthropist seeking to learn more about these areas? Get in touch with our Co-CEOs Natalie Cargill and Simran Dhaliwal at natalie@longview.org and simran@longview.org.

Council on Strategic Risk

Avoiding inadvertent escalation to nuclear war

The Council on Strategic Risks is a nonprofit prioritising efforts to reduce the most extreme risks from nuclear weapons. They specialise in developing highly pragmatic policies consistent with national security requirements. One of the Council’s efforts aims to limit particularly destabilising weapons, such as missiles that have short time of flight and ambiguous (nuclear or conventional) payloads. Through its work, the Council seeks to preserve decision time and reduce the risk of inadvertent nuclear escalation.

Nuclear Information Project

Keeping us informed about the nuclear arsenals and policies of world powers.

Nuclear-armed powers are not always transparent about the state of their arsenals and their nuclear posture. But up-to-date information is essential for informed policy and sound forecasting. Some of the best public information comes from the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists. The information is gleaned from satellite imagery, Freedom of Information Act requests, and other sources.

Preventing Nuclear War Project

Improving understanding of nuclear decision-making.

Preventing Nuclear War was a multi-stage research and outreach effort led by Dr Paul Slovic, one of the world’s leading scholars in the psychology of decision-making and risk assessment and one of the top 600 most cited living researchers. The project aimed to decrease the risk of catastrophic nuclear exchange creating and publicising research into improving human judgement around the risks of nuclear weapons. This included academic publication, media outreach, and workshops bringing together military leaders and other nuclear stakeholders.