Stephen Schwartz
@atomicanalyst.bsky.social
Editor/Co-author, “Atomic Audit: The Costs and Consequences of US Nuclear Weapons Since 1940” • Nonresident Senior Fellow, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists • Nuclear weapons expert (history, policy, costs, accidents) and tracker of the nuclear “Football.”
Pinned
In the March 1981 issue of the @bulletinatomic.bsky.social, conflict resolution expert and Harvard Law School professor Roger Fisher described his “quite simple” idea to force US presidents to viscerally confront the lethal consequences of ordering a nuclear attack. books.google.com/books/about/...
Tonight in 1991, Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev, President of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, resigned and peacefully ceded power to Boris Yeltsin as president of the new Russian Federation. The next day, the Supreme Soviet formally voted to dissolve itself and the 69-year-old Soviet Union.
December 25, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Tonight in 1991, Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev, President of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, resigned and peacefully ceded power to Boris Yeltsin as president of the new Russian Federation. The next day, the Supreme Soviet formally voted to dissolve itself and the 69-year-old Soviet Union.
Pupper Dinklage.
December 24, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Pupper Dinklage.
Today in 1968, astronaut and lunar module pilot Bill Anders took this photograph as Apollo 8 orbited the Moon. “Oh my God. Look at that picture over there! There’s the Earth comin’ up. Wow, is that pretty!”
(Anders’ original photograph was in black-and-white. NASA later remastered it into color.)
(Anders’ original photograph was in black-and-white. NASA later remastered it into color.)
December 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Today in 1968, astronaut and lunar module pilot Bill Anders took this photograph as Apollo 8 orbited the Moon. “Oh my God. Look at that picture over there! There’s the Earth comin’ up. Wow, is that pretty!”
(Anders’ original photograph was in black-and-white. NASA later remastered it into color.)
(Anders’ original photograph was in black-and-white. NASA later remastered it into color.)
Decorating a Christmas tree at the Hanford Reservation’s Science Center in the 1960s. As @wellerstein.bsky.social wrote in 2012, the photo below shows “an exhibit probably meant to illustrate how dextrous the remote-handling equipment [used to manipulate highly-radioactive nuclear bomb fuel] was.” 🎄
A glove box Christmas tree
Decorating a tree, Hanford-style.
blog.nuclearsecrecy.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Decorating a Christmas tree at the Hanford Reservation’s Science Center in the 1960s. As @wellerstein.bsky.social wrote in 2012, the photo below shows “an exhibit probably meant to illustrate how dextrous the remote-handling equipment [used to manipulate highly-radioactive nuclear bomb fuel] was.” 🎄
You may not know it, but over the years Santa Claus has had an interesting relationship with nuclear weapons.
During World War II—on a visit to the Clinton Engineer Works in Oak Ridge, Tennessee—his sack of toys was subjected to a thorough search before he was allowed to enter the secret city.
During World War II—on a visit to the Clinton Engineer Works in Oak Ridge, Tennessee—his sack of toys was subjected to a thorough search before he was allowed to enter the secret city.
December 24, 2025 at 3:28 PM
You may not know it, but over the years Santa Claus has had an interesting relationship with nuclear weapons.
During World War II—on a visit to the Clinton Engineer Works in Oak Ridge, Tennessee—his sack of toys was subjected to a thorough search before he was allowed to enter the secret city.
During World War II—on a visit to the Clinton Engineer Works in Oak Ridge, Tennessee—his sack of toys was subjected to a thorough search before he was allowed to enter the secret city.
Coming on January 6 to American Experience on PBS: “Bombshell: The Fight to Control the A-Bomb’s Story,” about how the US news media worked with the government to manipulate the official narrative about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki—and how a few journalists refused to play along.
Bombshell: Trailer | American Experience | PBS
Watch a preview of Bombshell.
www.pbs.org
December 23, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Coming on January 6 to American Experience on PBS: “Bombshell: The Fight to Control the A-Bomb’s Story,” about how the US news media worked with the government to manipulate the official narrative about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki—and how a few journalists refused to play along.
Today in 1963, “Ladybug Ladybug” opened in US movie theaters. Set in rural Pennsylvania, this tense film follows several groups of young schoolchildren and their teachers and school principal as they all react to an unexpected, persistent, and unnerving warning of an imminent nuclear attack.
December 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Today in 1963, “Ladybug Ladybug” opened in US movie theaters. Set in rural Pennsylvania, this tense film follows several groups of young schoolchildren and their teachers and school principal as they all react to an unexpected, persistent, and unnerving warning of an imminent nuclear attack.
Because of course it is.
But maybe we can make lemonade out of lemons: Turn this premiere into the equivalent of the storyline in “Citizen Kane,” where Kane forces his second wife to become an opera singer, builds an opera house for her, and she debuts to dismal reviews, utterly humiliated.
But maybe we can make lemonade out of lemons: Turn this premiere into the equivalent of the storyline in “Citizen Kane,” where Kane forces his second wife to become an opera singer, builds an opera house for her, and she debuts to dismal reviews, utterly humiliated.
‘Melania’ Doc to Premiere at The Kennedy Center
The Brett Ratner-directed documentary will debut at the storied Washington, D.C. arts institution, which last week was renamed The Trump-Kennedy Center.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Because of course it is.
But maybe we can make lemonade out of lemons: Turn this premiere into the equivalent of the storyline in “Citizen Kane,” where Kane forces his second wife to become an opera singer, builds an opera house for her, and she debuts to dismal reviews, utterly humiliated.
But maybe we can make lemonade out of lemons: Turn this premiere into the equivalent of the storyline in “Citizen Kane,” where Kane forces his second wife to become an opera singer, builds an opera house for her, and she debuts to dismal reviews, utterly humiliated.
Today in 1997, Secretary of Energy Federico Peña hosted the Clinton administration’s fifth and final Openness Initiative press conference, releasing, among other things, 270,000 pages of declassified documents about plutonium operations at Hanford and 15 films of nuclear tests. tinyurl.com/ymh3uvhd
December 22, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Today in 1997, Secretary of Energy Federico Peña hosted the Clinton administration’s fifth and final Openness Initiative press conference, releasing, among other things, 270,000 pages of declassified documents about plutonium operations at Hanford and 15 films of nuclear tests. tinyurl.com/ymh3uvhd
The White House Military Office Marine Corps aide was on “Football” duty last night for Trump’s trip to Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The ~45-pound satchel accompanies Trump 24/7, enabling him alone to authorize the use of any of our ~1,770 deployed nuclear weapons—up to 900 on alert—at any time.
December 20, 2025 at 2:23 PM
The White House Military Office Marine Corps aide was on “Football” duty last night for Trump’s trip to Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The ~45-pound satchel accompanies Trump 24/7, enabling him alone to authorize the use of any of our ~1,770 deployed nuclear weapons—up to 900 on alert—at any time.
Jeffrey Epstein owned (or socialized with) the Monolith?
December 19, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Jeffrey Epstein owned (or socialized with) the Monolith?
This is roughly equal to almost $2 billion today. But this was just a downpayment on elaborate efforts to protect critical government operations and personnel from nuclear attack. Ordinary people, however, were mostly left to fend for themselves. Or, as @vermontgmg.bsky.social wrote in 2017, …
December 19, 2025 at 10:11 PM
This is roughly equal to almost $2 billion today. But this was just a downpayment on elaborate efforts to protect critical government operations and personnel from nuclear attack. Ordinary people, however, were mostly left to fend for themselves. Or, as @vermontgmg.bsky.social wrote in 2017, …
At 3:26 PM EST today in 1979, a computer at NORAD dedicated to processing ballistic missile radar early-warning data failed and was offline for 18 minutes. DSP satellite early-warning data—transmitted directly to SAC, the National Military Command Center, and the ANMCC in Raven Rock— was unaffected.
December 19, 2025 at 4:07 PM
At 3:26 PM EST today in 1979, a computer at NORAD dedicated to processing ballistic missile radar early-warning data failed and was offline for 18 minutes. DSP satellite early-warning data—transmitted directly to SAC, the National Military Command Center, and the ANMCC in Raven Rock— was unaffected.
The original Korean version is even more lavish and forceful.
December 18, 2025 at 11:04 PM
The original Korean version is even more lavish and forceful.
I'll just leave this here: bsky.app/profile/theo...
December 18, 2025 at 8:53 PM
I'll just leave this here: bsky.app/profile/theo...
The W88 Alt 370 program completed its First Production Unit on July 1, 2021 (18 months behind schedule) and cost a reported $3.4 billion (for ~384 warheads). The new components enable the already powerful W88 to destroy with precision hardened targets like ICBM silos and underground command bunkers.
December 18, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The W88 Alt 370 program completed its First Production Unit on July 1, 2021 (18 months behind schedule) and cost a reported $3.4 billion (for ~384 warheads). The new components enable the already powerful W88 to destroy with precision hardened targets like ICBM silos and underground command bunkers.
55 years ago this morning, BANEBERRY—a 10-kiloton, weapons-related, underground nuclear test 912 feet beneath the Nevada Test Site—accidentally vented, releasing 6.7 million curies of radioactive debris, including 80,000 curies of iodine-131, the second largest venting in US history. (THREAD)
December 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM
55 years ago this morning, BANEBERRY—a 10-kiloton, weapons-related, underground nuclear test 912 feet beneath the Nevada Test Site—accidentally vented, releasing 6.7 million curies of radioactive debris, including 80,000 curies of iodine-131, the second largest venting in US history. (THREAD)
Trump’s manic “speech” brings to mind this classic Marx Brothers line:
“Well who ya gonna believe, me or your own eyes?”
— Chico Marx, “Duck Soup” (1933)
“Well who ya gonna believe, me or your own eyes?”
— Chico Marx, “Duck Soup” (1933)
December 18, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Trump’s manic “speech” brings to mind this classic Marx Brothers line:
“Well who ya gonna believe, me or your own eyes?”
— Chico Marx, “Duck Soup” (1933)
“Well who ya gonna believe, me or your own eyes?”
— Chico Marx, “Duck Soup” (1933)
“… brought in by ocean and sea.”
Ocean _and_ sea, you say?
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
Ocean _and_ sea, you say?
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
December 18, 2025 at 2:09 AM
“… brought in by ocean and sea.”
Ocean _and_ sea, you say?
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
Ocean _and_ sea, you say?
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
The White House Army aide is on “Football” duty for Trump’s trip to Dover AFB, Delaware, for a dignified transfer of remains ceremony. The ~45-pound satchel accompanies Trump 24/7, enabling him alone to authorize the use of any of our ~1,770 deployed nuclear weapons—up to 900 on alert—at any time.
December 17, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The White House Army aide is on “Football” duty for Trump’s trip to Dover AFB, Delaware, for a dignified transfer of remains ceremony. The ~45-pound satchel accompanies Trump 24/7, enabling him alone to authorize the use of any of our ~1,770 deployed nuclear weapons—up to 900 on alert—at any time.
Today in 1959, “On the Beach” opened in movie theaters around the world.
“The war started when people accepted the idiotic principle that peace could be maintained by arranging to defend themselves with weapons they couldn't possibly use without committing suicide.”
— Julian Osborn (Fred Astaire)
“The war started when people accepted the idiotic principle that peace could be maintained by arranging to defend themselves with weapons they couldn't possibly use without committing suicide.”
— Julian Osborn (Fred Astaire)
December 17, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Today in 1959, “On the Beach” opened in movie theaters around the world.
“The war started when people accepted the idiotic principle that peace could be maintained by arranging to defend themselves with weapons they couldn't possibly use without committing suicide.”
— Julian Osborn (Fred Astaire)
“The war started when people accepted the idiotic principle that peace could be maintained by arranging to defend themselves with weapons they couldn't possibly use without committing suicide.”
— Julian Osborn (Fred Astaire)
Ten years ago tonight, during a Republican debate, conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt asked Trump about “the single most important job of the president—the command, the control, and the care of our nuclear forces.” Trump’s non-responsive, incoherent answer revealed his absolute ignorance:
Trump appears stumped by question on nuclear triad | CNN Politics
Asked at CNN’s Republican debate Tuesday night about the nuclear triad, GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump appeared stumped.
www.cnn.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Ten years ago tonight, during a Republican debate, conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt asked Trump about “the single most important job of the president—the command, the control, and the care of our nuclear forces.” Trump’s non-responsive, incoherent answer revealed his absolute ignorance:
Thirty years ago today, the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty—also known as the Bangkok Treaty—opened for signature and was signed by 10 states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. It entered into force on March 27, 1997.
December 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Thirty years ago today, the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty—also known as the Bangkok Treaty—opened for signature and was signed by 10 states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. It entered into force on March 27, 1997.
Today in 1982 at 10:32 AM, at Cordwalles Middle School in Camberley, England (~14 miles from Windsor Castle), a nuclear attack siren was accidentally activated for four minutes. “Christmas shoppers did not bat an eyelid and life went on as if nothing was happening.” (H/t @nuclearwar.bsky.social.)
December 14, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Today in 1982 at 10:32 AM, at Cordwalles Middle School in Camberley, England (~14 miles from Windsor Castle), a nuclear attack siren was accidentally activated for four minutes. “Christmas shoppers did not bat an eyelid and life went on as if nothing was happening.” (H/t @nuclearwar.bsky.social.)
Eighty-five years ago today, chemists Glenn Seaborg, Joseph Kennedy, and Arthur Wahl (continuing work by physicist Edwin McMillan) first produced element 94 (plutonium) in the 60-inch cyclotron at UC Berkeley. Exactly 1,700 days later, “Fat Man”—fueled by 13.6 lbs. of Pu-239— destroyed Nagasaki.
![A color photograph of two brass plaques mounted on a wall. The first reads:
PLUTONIUM
Element 94
Was discovered in this room in February 1941 [sic] by G.T. Seaborg, E.T. McMillan, A.C. Wahl, and J.W. Kennedy
[NOTE: Seaborg and his team chemically identified and confirmed the discovery of plutonium, and discovered plutonium-239, on the night of February 23-24, 1941. But the as yet unnamed element 94 (specifically the isotope plutonium-238) was first produced by bombarding uranium with deuterons in the 60-inch cyclotron at Berkeley on December 14, 1940.]
The second plaque reads:
Room 307 Gilman Hall
Has been designated a REGISTERED NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935. This site possesses exceptional value in commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States.
U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
1966](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iwbebt5r65c67xl5vy5iviwj/bafkreibtcvcyl3ohpcuhgfidkm7bv7ysqddepkyqex5av42vjnorqx3ydy@jpeg)
December 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Eighty-five years ago today, chemists Glenn Seaborg, Joseph Kennedy, and Arthur Wahl (continuing work by physicist Edwin McMillan) first produced element 94 (plutonium) in the 60-inch cyclotron at UC Berkeley. Exactly 1,700 days later, “Fat Man”—fueled by 13.6 lbs. of Pu-239— destroyed Nagasaki.