Russia's nuclear arsenal is huge, but will Putin use it?
Experts in Russian doctrine worry that as the war in Ukraine gets more desperate, Russia might be tempted to detonate a nuclear weapon.
nuclear weapons
How likely is a Russian nuclear strike in Ukraine?
Russian President Vladimir Putin is again raising the possibility of such an attack. Experts said the likelihood still remains low, though risks are rising.
North Korea declares itself a nuclear weapons state
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will never abandon the nuclear weapons it needs to counter the United States, which he accused of pushing to weaken the North's defenses.
As Russia's Ukraine war intensifies, some warn nuclear escalation is possible
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave orders to his nation's nuclear forces over the weekend, but their exact meaning is unclear. Russia has more nuclear weapons than any other nation.
North Korea's Kim at a critical crossroads a decade into his rule
As North Korea's dictator marks a milestone on Friday, he might be facing his toughest moment yet, as crushing sanctions, the pandemic and growing economic trouble converge
North Korea Warns U.S. Over Biden's 'Big Blunder'
Citing President Biden's speech to Congress, North Korea says the United States will face a grave situation if it continues to pursue its "hostile policy" toward the country's nuclear program.
U.N. Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Takes Effect, Without The U.S. And Other Powers
"For the first time in history, nuclear weapons are going to be illegal in international law," says Elayne Whyte, who oversaw the treaty's creation.
Kim Jong Un Calls U.S. North Korea's 'Biggest Enemy,' Vows To Advance Nuclear Arsenal
Kim's comments come just days ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. Biden has promised "principled diplomacy" with North Korea, implying a break with Trump's high-stakes summits.
Longtime Anti-Nuclear Activists Face Prison, Again, After Breaking Into Naval Base
In the midst of a pandemic that's wreaking havoc on prisons and disproportionately affects older people, activists known as the Kings Bay Plowshares have been sentenced to up to 33 months in prison.
Hiroshima Atomic Bombing Raising New Questions 75 Years Later
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were said at the time to be justified as the only way to end World War II. Seventy-five years later, legal experts say they would now be war crimes.