The Federation of American Scientists is one of the longest serving non-governmental organizations devoted to reducing nuclear dangers and other threats to national and international security by providing rigorous, nonpartisan, technical analysis and recommendations to policymakers and the public. FAS works on a variety of issues including nuclear weapons, radiological and nuclear terrorism, biological and chemical weapons, government secrecy practice and classification policy, weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), nuclear energy, and energy and natural resources security.
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Ensuring the Security of Radioactive Sources: National and Global Responsibilities
A look at the national and international efforts to control and secure radioactive materials, and offers suggestions on how to reduce the risk of radiological terrorism.
Congress Should Delay Action on New Sanctions Against Iran
Chris Bidwell, Senior Fellow for Nonproliferation and Law writes that Congressional action toward new sanctions against Iran now would make the U.S. appear bellicose and uninterested in a policy change on Iran’s nuclear program.
Implications of the Recent Deal With Iran on Getting Controls on Civilian Nuclear Fuel Cycles
FAS President Dr. Charles Ferguson takes a look at one of the largest challenges to nonproliferation: how states can walk up to the line of crossing into nuclear weapons capabilit by developing uranium enrichment plants or reprocessing plants. Could the new deal with Iran have implications for Japan and other non-nuclear weapon states like South Korea that aspire to acquire enrichment or reprocessing capabilities? The answer is yes.
The Chemical Weapons of Syria
A look at the suspected chemical weapons that Syria may possess, including chlorine, white phosphorous and sarin.
Report Examines MANPADS Threat and International Efforts to Address It
Director of the Arms Sales Monitoring Project Matt Schroeder assesses the terrorist threat from MANPADS and efforts by the international community to curb this threat. The report proposes additional measures that governments can take to further reduce the illicit proliferation and use of MANPADS worldwide.
Regulating Japanese Nuclear Power in the Wake of the Fukushima Daiichi Accident
The 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was preventable. The Great East Japan earthquake and the tsunami that followed it were unprecedented events in recent history, but they were not altogether unforeseeable.
New Report on Aftermath of Fukushima Nuclear Accident
The U.S.-Japan Nuclear Working Group, co-chaired by FAS President Dr. Charles Ferguson, has released a new report recommending priorities for the Japa …
New Report Analyzing Iran’s Nuclear Program Costs and Risks
Iran’s quest for the development of nuclear program has been marked by enormous financial costs and risks. The report analyzes the economic effects of Iran’s nuclear program, and policy implications of sanctions and other actions by the United States and other allies.
Trimming Nuclear Excess
The United States and Russia have significantly reduced their nuclear arsenals since the end of the Cold War. Russia and the United States currently hold more than 90 percent of the world’s total inventory of nuclear warheads. What can nuclear weapons states do to keep reducing their nuclear weapons stockpiles?
Japan’s Role as Leader for Nuclear Nonproliferation
A country with few natural resources, first Japan began to develop nuclear power technologies in 1954. Nuclear energy assisted with Japanese economic development and reconstruction post World War II. However, with the fear of lethal ash and radioactive fallout and the lingering effects from the 2011 accident at Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, there are many concerns related to Japanese nonproliferation, security and nuclear policy.