The Politics of Nuclear Weapons: Key Concepts and History

Critical mass

The minimum amount of fissile material required to sustain a self-sustaining chain reaction.

Sustained chain reaction

Increase mass, increase density, use a neutron reflector, and arrange in a sphere.

HEU

Highly Enriched Uranium-uranium enriched to increase the concentration of U-235 for weapons use.

Plutonium-239 production

U-238 absorbs a neutron, becomes U-239, and decays into Pu-239 during reactor operation.

Nuclear weapons concealment

Small size, few materials required, and no effective defense once launched.

Robert Oppenheimer

Scientific director of the Manhattan Project; often called the 'father of the atomic bomb.'

Key scientific discovery for atomic bomb

Nuclear fission, discovered by Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch in 1938.

Enrico Fermi's role

Built the first nuclear reactor (Chicago Pile-1) and designed the uranium bomb core.

Manhattan Project controversy

Massive secrecy, use of bomb on civilians, limited oversight, and social inequality in labor.

Bomb used on Hiroshima

Little Boy-a uranium-based gun-type bomb with a 15 kiloton yield.

Justification for bombing Japan

To avoid a costly U.S. invasion and hasten Japanese surrender.

Gar Alperovitz's thesis

The bomb was used to intimidate the USSR, not to end the war against Japan.

Long-term effects of the bombs

High rates of cancer, birth defects, radiation sickness, and intergenerational trauma.

What is the "security dilemma"?

When one state's attempt to increase security makes others feel less secure.

What does TNR claim about mutual vulnerability?

It stabilizes international relations by ensuring neither side can escape retaliation.

What is countervalue targeting?

Targeting an opponent's cities and civilian infrastructure rather than military sites.

What is a second-strike capability and why is it important?

The ability to retaliate after being attacked; crucial for stable deterrence.

What is Lieber and Press's critique of TNR?

Technology makes counterforce more feasible, undermining stable deterrence.

What do McDermott et al. argue?

TNR is not truly rational—it relies on emotions like revenge to make threats credible.

What is the "political critique" of TNR?

Different states have different goals and use nuclear weapons for varied purposes.

How might improved technology destabilize deterrence?

Precision weapons and cyber capabilities might tempt states to strike first.

What is the nuclear taboo?

A normative prohibition against using nuclear weapons, developed since 1945.

What is the constructivist view of international relations?

Social ideas, beliefs, and norms shape state behavior, not just material power.

Why does the U.S. resist the nuclear ban treaty (TPNW)?

It challenges U.S. nuclear legitimacy and might constrain future policy options.

What is a critique of the taboo theory?

Realists argue that deterrence, not norms, explains the non-use of nuclear weapons.

What is the purpose of U.S. extended deterrence?

To protect allies and deter adversaries by promising nuclear retaliation on their behalf.

What is the JCPOA?

The 2015 Iran nuclear deal to limit Iran's enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.

What is the Agreed Framework?

A 1994 U.S.-North Korea deal to halt North Korea's plutonium program—later collapsed.

Why does the U.S. oppose proliferation?

It undermines U.S. freedom of action and increases global instability and terrorism risk.

What is the Kargil War and why is it significant?

A 1999 conflict between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan—limited war under nuclear deterrence.

What is the stability-instability paradox?

Nuclear deterrence reduces full-scale war but may encourage low-level conflict.

Who was Abdul Qadeer Khan?

Pakistani scientist who ran a global nuclear proliferation network.

How did domestic politics drive India's 1998 tests?

The BJP used nationalism and strategic autonomy to justify nuclear testing.

What is "left of launch"?

Cyber operations to disable nuclear weapons before they can be launched.

What was Stuxnet?

A U.S./Israeli cyberattack targeting Iranian centrifuges to delay nuclear progress.

Why is cyber-nuclear interaction dangerous?

It increases uncertainty and may push leaders to use nukes earlier in a crisis.

What does "blinding attack" refer to?

Disrupting enemy command and control via cyber or kinetic means before a conflict escalates.

What does the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) aim to do?

Make nuclear weapons illegal under international law for signatories.

What is Schelling's argument against disarmament?

Disarmament is unstable; states would race to rearm in a crisis.

What are incremental steps toward disarmament?

Lower alert levels, dismantle weapons, dispose of fissile materials, increase verification.

Why might disarmament be difficult even with political will?

Reversibility, verification challenges, and fear of cheating or surprise rearmament.