Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists April 12th 2021
Posted: 12th April 2021
April 12, 2021
NUCLEAR RISK
Quick return to the Iran nuclear deal is needed to avoid a nuclear crisis
Seyed Hossein Mousavian writes that if the United States does not quickly rejoin the JCPOA, there is a real possibility that the talks will collapse, Iran will proceed with its uranium-enrichment program, and a dangerous crisis will needlessly be created. Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
Plutonium programs will challenge Biden
The separation of plutonium by civilian reprocessing has resulted in a global stockpile of over 300 tons of weapon-usable plutonium. By the International Atomic Energy Agency’s metric, this is enough for almost 40,000 Nagasaki bombs. Read more.
DOOMSDAY CLOCK
An intelligence forecast and the Doomsday Clock coincide
The National Intelligence Council released a new and grim report last week that echoes with remarkable fidelity what the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board wrote in the 2021 Doomsday Clock statement. Read more.
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CLIMATE CHANGE
China pledged to cut emissions. It went on a coal spree instead.
China’s government promised a carbon dioxide emissions peak by 2030. Instead, the country is building large numbers of coal-fired power plants—jeopardizing both China’s decarbonization plans and global efforts to tackle climate change. Read more.
WHAT’S NEW AT THE BULLETIN
UChicago student series: The Future of Nuclear Energy in the US
In March, 40 University of Chicago graduate students attended a joint virtual event hosted by the Bulletin and the Harris School of Public Policy’s Energy and Environmental Association. “The Future of Nuclear Energy in the United States” program focused on demystifying the state of domestic nuclear energy. Learn more.
SPONSORED
Stanford Faculty Appointment — International Security Policy
Stanford seeks a distinguished scientist or a rising star in science or engineering with interest in international security policy. Must possess exceptional record of research and publication; be committed to teaching undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Mr. [William] Perry has proposed phasing out America’s land-based nuclear weapons and relying on a safer air- and sea-based deterrent. If Mr. Biden followed Mr. Perry’s advice, he could save more than enough money to prepare vaccines for the 50 to 100 viruses most likely to cause the next pandemic.”
—Peter Beinart, “Let’s Cut Our Ridiculous Defense Budget“ The New York Times
Thank you!