“A nuclear weapon is more likely to arrive in a shipping container than on a missile” Graham Allison. Costs and international disputes make it difficult to achieve 100 percent nuclear and radiological scanning of inbound U.S. cargo containers. This fact sheet describes the challenges we face and some key ways we can mitigate the risk.

In February 2011 the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty entered into force. The Treaty was ratified by the U.S. Senate in December 2010 based on the widespread bipartisan consensus that the treaty was in the U.S.’ national security interests. This update of our June 2012 fact sheet lays out the security benefits of New START, showing that the treaty is in our national security interests today, just as it was in 2010.

Iran’s nuclear facilities pose several unique challenges. Many of the facilities are under IAEA inspections, which contribute significantly to our understanding of Iran’s nuclear progress. However, Iran’s refusal to take steps to increase transparency remains a serious concern.
Understanding the details of Iran’s nuclear program, from basic location and capabilities to tactical considerations, is key to the ongoing debate over policy options.

A nuclear-armed Iran presents a significant security challenge to the United States. Therefore, it is imperative that the U.S. continues to implement an effective, fact-based policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

With the election behind us, it’s time to look toward the future. The American Security Project is dedicated to fostering fact-driven, non-partisan debate about critical national security issues. To that end, we asked our friends and colleagues both within ASP and associated with the Consensus for American Security to answer the question: what is the biggest issue facing us in the next four years that isn’t on anyone’s radar?

This perspective paper takes an in-depth look at the critical nuclear choices facing the next administration, from preventing a nuclear Iran to developing a more effective U.S. nuclear force. These threats affect all of us. The next administration will have to put aside partisan rhetoric and work with both sides of the aisle to develop strategic solutions to these critical nuclear threats.