News from CND

BBC documentary highlights the dangers of nuclear weapons ahead of Doomsday Clock announcement

CND activists featured in a recent BBC documentary which serves as an important reminder that the nuclear threat is at its highest in decades.

Nuclear Armageddon: How Close Are We? explores the current nuclear tensions between Russia and NATO, Britain’s plans to expand and modernise its nuclear arsenal, CND’s campaign against the return of US nuclear weapons to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, and the global effort to ban nuclear weapons.

The documentary comes ahead of Tuesday’s Doomsday Clock announcement by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists – which currently stands at 90 seconds to midnight. 

CND welcomes the fact that the media is increasing its attention on the very real threat posed by nuclear weapons and calls on anyone concerned by the issues raised in the documentary to join us in our efforts to end this threat for good.

Brize Norton residents fear nuclear attack, Britain prepares for NATO wargames

RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire is Britain’s largest RAF base and residents of the nearby village of the same name not only have to contend with living on a busy flight path – but also Special Nuclear Material (SNM) convoys that regularly rumble through their streets. 

Being held up on the school run is one thing – but many have said that they now fear their proximity to the base has them marked as a target in any nuclear war with Russia!

Britain relies heavily on US cooperation to maintain its nuclear weapons – and RAF Brize Norton serves as the point of entry and departure for nuclear materials coming to and from the US. SNM convoys ferry this material between the base and the Atomic Weapons Establishments at nearby Burghfield or Aldermaston. 

Read more on the CND website.

While Brize Norton residents fear they will be the target of a nuclear attack, the British government is preparing to send its largest contingent of troops since the Cold War to NATO’s upcoming spring wargames.

Dubbed Steadfast Defender 24, 20,000 troops from across Britain’s armed forces will participate in these highly provocative drills which will focus on repelling a Russian-led invasion of NATO territory. Military planners will no doubt be preparing for the potential use of nuclear weapons.  

Speaking on the drills, CND General Secretary Kate Hudson said:

“With an escalating war in the Middle East, and the continuing war in Ukraine, now is not the time for bellicose talk, and provocative exercises. Our government needs to take steps to bring about ceasefires in both Gaza and Ukraine, rather than escalating tension and preparing for more wars. Either of these wars could go nuclear and they have to be brought to a peaceful and just conclusion before the worst happens.”

Read the full story here.