Editor's Note

When the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) was signed in 1968, five states—China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States—had already tested nuclear weapons. The treaty obligated these five states to take steps toward disarmament. But their progress in meeting these commitments has been uneven at best. Now, one of those nuclear-weapon states, the United Kingdom , could become the first such state to give up its nuclear arms. In our cover story this month, Rebecca Johnson contends that Parliament should take this step and forgo building a replacement for the United Kingdom’s nuclear-armed Trident missile system.

The British government might ponder the example of Brazil and other countries that have already surrendered nuclear weapons programs. In “Looking Back” this month, Jose Goldemberg talks about that experience and offers lessons applicable to the current crises in the Middle East and Asia. As a cabinet minister, Goldemberg played a key role in ending Brazil’s program in the early 1990s when Brazil returned to civilian rule.

By contrast, the Bush administration has asked Congress for funds to develop a new breed of nuclear weapon, the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW). Department of Energy officials contend that the RRW will improve the reliability, security, and longevity of the U.S. nuclear arsenal and help lead to a decrease in the size of the stockpile, all without requiring the resumption of nuclear testing. Robert W. Nelson offers a science-based critique of the administration’s plans, concluding that the RRW is not only unnecessary but counterproductive to U.S. national security.

Although the NPT calls for its member states to end the arms race and eventually disarm, the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) outlaws biological arms altogether. When countries gather later this year to discuss the state of the BWC at a once-every-five-years review conference, it will be clear that the goal of their elimination has not been fully met. Nicholas A. Sims offers his thoughts on how a Preparatory Committee meeting in Geneva later this month can lay the groundwork for a successful review conference and a more effective treaty.

In our news section this month, you can also find detailed and up-to-date information on the nuclear showdown with Iran and the controversial nuclear deal struck by President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.