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/...
Today in 1997, Secretary of Energy Hazel R. O’Leary held her fourth Openness Initiative press conference, declassifying 6,500 previously secret nuclear test films and publishing a thorough report on radiological effluents released by nuclear tests in the United States. www.osti.gov/opennet/form...
January 15, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Today in 1997, Secretary of Energy Hazel R. O’Leary held her fourth Openness Initiative press conference, declassifying 6,500 previously secret nuclear test films and publishing a thorough report on radiological effluents released by nuclear tests in the United States. www.osti.gov/opennet/form...
40 years ago today, Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, publicly issued a bold and unprecedented three-stage proposal for eliminating all nuclear weapons worldwide by 2000. Most of President Ronald Reagan’s advisers quickly rejected it as mere propaganda.
January 15, 2026 at 3:13 PM
40 years ago today, Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, publicly issued a bold and unprecedented three-stage proposal for eliminating all nuclear weapons worldwide by 2000. Most of President Ronald Reagan’s advisers quickly rejected it as mere propaganda.
Today in 1965, the Soviet Union conducted the Chagan test, its first “peaceful nuclear explosion,” detonating a 140-kiloton device 584 feet beneath the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. The resulting crater—1,339 feet wide and 328 feet deep—was then flooded and turned into an artificial lake.
January 15, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Today in 1965, the Soviet Union conducted the Chagan test, its first “peaceful nuclear explosion,” detonating a 140-kiloton device 584 feet beneath the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. The resulting crater—1,339 feet wide and 328 feet deep—was then flooded and turned into an artificial lake.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., born 97 years ago today, fought for racial equality, economic justice, _and_ preached passionately against the Vietnam War and the grave, ever-present risks of nuclear war. Although we have made real progress globally on the latter, we have yet to fully heed his warning.
January 15, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., born 97 years ago today, fought for racial equality, economic justice, _and_ preached passionately against the Vietnam War and the grave, ever-present risks of nuclear war. Although we have made real progress globally on the latter, we have yet to fully heed his warning.
I was glad to hear @tamarakeithnpr.bsky.social and @steveinskeep.bsky.social on @npr.org’s “Morning Edition” report that Trump cursed out and flipped off a union worker who shouted at him at a Ford assembly plant yesterday, but very disappointed they both let Trump spokesman Steven Cheung have …
January 14, 2026 at 4:34 PM
I was glad to hear @tamarakeithnpr.bsky.social and @steveinskeep.bsky.social on @npr.org’s “Morning Edition” report that Trump cursed out and flipped off a union worker who shouted at him at a Ford assembly plant yesterday, but very disappointed they both let Trump spokesman Steven Cheung have …
40 years ago today, Barbara Donachy’s art installation “Amber Waves of Grain”—which used some 35,000 ceramic miniatures to depict every bomber, missile, submarine, warhead, and bomb in the US nuclear arsenal—opened in Boston after prior showings in New York, Washington, DC, Colorado, and Berlin.
January 14, 2026 at 2:35 PM
40 years ago today, Barbara Donachy’s art installation “Amber Waves of Grain”—which used some 35,000 ceramic miniatures to depict every bomber, missile, submarine, warhead, and bomb in the US nuclear arsenal—opened in Boston after prior showings in New York, Washington, DC, Colorado, and Berlin.
Show me you truly don’t understand or appreciate “Star Trek” ...
January 13, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Show me you truly don’t understand or appreciate “Star Trek” ...
It’s both surprising and a huge missed opportunity that @sciguyspace.bsky.social failed to even mention in his article that in 2023 Apple TV aired “Hello Tomorrow!,” a retro-futuristic series centered around a slick and alluring business concept eerily similar to this one.
January 13, 2026 at 11:41 PM
It’s both surprising and a huge missed opportunity that @sciguyspace.bsky.social failed to even mention in his article that in 2023 Apple TV aired “Hello Tomorrow!,” a retro-futuristic series centered around a slick and alluring business concept eerily similar to this one.
Eight years ago today at 8:07 AM local time in Hawaii (1:07 PM EST)—during a period of sharply escalating tensions between President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un—this emergency alert flashed on smartphones and was broadcast on televisions and radios across the 50th state.
January 13, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Eight years ago today at 8:07 AM local time in Hawaii (1:07 PM EST)—during a period of sharply escalating tensions between President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un—this emergency alert flashed on smartphones and was broadcast on televisions and radios across the 50th state.
Tonight in 1985, the harrowing and grimly realistic nuclear war drama “Threads” first aired in the United States on cable superstation WTBS, thanks to station owner and very concerned citizen Ted Turner. This unforgettable film is currently streaming for free in the United States on Kanopy.
January 13, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Tonight in 1985, the harrowing and grimly realistic nuclear war drama “Threads” first aired in the United States on cable superstation WTBS, thanks to station owner and very concerned citizen Ted Turner. This unforgettable film is currently streaming for free in the United States on Kanopy.
Today in 1964 at about 1:40 AM EST, a B-52D flying from Westover AFB, MA, to Turner AFB, GA, following a diversion during a CHROME DOME airborne alert mission, encountered severe turbulence in a blizzard, lost its tail section, and crashed on Big Savage Mountain, ~17 miles SW of Cumberland, MD.
January 13, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Today in 1964 at about 1:40 AM EST, a B-52D flying from Westover AFB, MA, to Turner AFB, GA, following a diversion during a CHROME DOME airborne alert mission, encountered severe turbulence in a blizzard, lost its tail section, and crashed on Big Savage Mountain, ~17 miles SW of Cumberland, MD.
The White House Military Office Coast Guard aide is on “Football” duty today for Emperor Trump’s trip to Dearborn and Detroit, Michigan. The ~45-lb. 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.
January 13, 2026 at 5:02 PM
The White House Military Office Coast Guard aide is on “Football” duty today for Emperor Trump’s trip to Dearborn and Detroit, Michigan. The ~45-lb. 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.
Tonight in 1962, the “The Twilight Zone” episode “One More Pallbearer” (season 3, episode 17) first aired on CBS. A grudge-holding millionaire offers three people from his past the opportunity to survive a seemingly imminent nuclear war in his bomb shelter—but only if they apologize to him first.
January 12, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Tonight in 1962, the “The Twilight Zone” episode “One More Pallbearer” (season 3, episode 17) first aired on CBS. A grudge-holding millionaire offers three people from his past the opportunity to survive a seemingly imminent nuclear war in his bomb shelter—but only if they apologize to him first.
Strange there has been no immediate and forceful condemnation of this deliberate, cowardly act from the Trump regime and its Republican sycophants, who so quickly and relentlessly attacked universities for not preventing antisemitism on campus.
(Because that wasn’t really about supporting Jews.)
(Because that wasn’t really about supporting Jews.)
Suspect arrested in predawn fire that left parts of Mississippi’s largest synagogue in charred ruins mississippitoday.org/2026/01/10/f...
Predawn fire reduces parts of Mississippi's largest synagogue to charred ruins - Mississippi Today
A fire heavily damaged Jackson’s only synagogue before dawn Saturday – the same house of worship that was firebombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967 because the rabbi had been an advocate for civil rights...
mississippitoday.org
January 11, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Strange there has been no immediate and forceful condemnation of this deliberate, cowardly act from the Trump regime and its Republican sycophants, who so quickly and relentlessly attacked universities for not preventing antisemitism on campus.
(Because that wasn’t really about supporting Jews.)
(Because that wasn’t really about supporting Jews.)
In the immortal words of Irving B., “You smug motherfucker.”
January 11, 2026 at 10:35 PM
In the immortal words of Irving B., “You smug motherfucker.”
Today in 1975, a USAF board of inquiry ruled 38-year-old Maj. Harold Hering, a decorated pilot with 20 years of service, be discharged because two years earlier—during ICBM combat crew training at Vandenberg AFB—he asked how he would know a launch order was lawful and came from a rational president.
January 11, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Today in 1975, a USAF board of inquiry ruled 38-year-old Maj. Harold Hering, a decorated pilot with 20 years of service, be discharged because two years earlier—during ICBM combat crew training at Vandenberg AFB—he asked how he would know a launch order was lawful and came from a rational president.
Today in 1984, security officers at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, hurriedly parked a large armored vehicle over the 110-ton door of a Minuteman III ICBM silo after electronic sensors gave launch officers alarming (but ultimately false) indications that the missile’s firing sequence had begun.
Armored Car Use to Block Missile Told
The Air Force said Wednesday it was only as "an added precaution" that an armored car was hurriedly parked atop a Minuteman 3 silo after the nuclear missile inside gave off false signals suggesting it...
www.latimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Today in 1984, security officers at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, hurriedly parked a large armored vehicle over the 110-ton door of a Minuteman III ICBM silo after electronic sensors gave launch officers alarming (but ultimately false) indications that the missile’s firing sequence had begun.
The White House Military Office Space Force aide is on “Football” duty tonight for Emperor Trump’s latest weekend getaway to Mar-a-Lago. 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.
January 10, 2026 at 12:02 AM
The White House Military Office Space Force aide is on “Football” duty tonight for Emperor Trump’s latest weekend getaway to Mar-a-Lago. 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.
Trump, who has long boasted about his knowledge of nuclear weapons, and his negotiating prowess, has been waiting for this moment for 42 years, so naturally he’s got a plan, the best plan, a really strong and smart plan, a plan like no one has ever seen before: bsky.app/profile/atom...
January 8, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Trump, who has long boasted about his knowledge of nuclear weapons, and his negotiating prowess, has been waiting for this moment for 42 years, so naturally he’s got a plan, the best plan, a really strong and smart plan, a plan like no one has ever seen before: bsky.app/profile/atom...
The extreme rhetoric the whole Trump regime is desperately deploying against Renee Nicole Good is directly proportional to the regime’s reckless and lawless actions that led to her wanton murder.
If there was any legal justification for what they did, they would not have to resort to such language.
If there was any legal justification for what they did, they would not have to resort to such language.
“Deranged leftist”
“Rioter”
“Brainwashed”
“Stalking”
“Very disorderly”
“An act of domestic terrorism”
First the Trump regime murdered Renee Good. Then the character assassination began.
“Rioter”
“Brainwashed”
“Stalking”
“Very disorderly”
“An act of domestic terrorism”
First the Trump regime murdered Renee Good. Then the character assassination began.
January 8, 2026 at 9:29 PM
The extreme rhetoric the whole Trump regime is desperately deploying against Renee Nicole Good is directly proportional to the regime’s reckless and lawless actions that led to her wanton murder.
If there was any legal justification for what they did, they would not have to resort to such language.
If there was any legal justification for what they did, they would not have to resort to such language.
Five years ago today, Twitter permanently suspended Trump’s account after he instigated an insurrection against Congress to overturn the lawful 2020 election—back when such things mattered, before white suprematist, social media anarchist, and agent of government destruction Elon Musk took over.
January 8, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Five years ago today, Twitter permanently suspended Trump’s account after he instigated an insurrection against Congress to overturn the lawful 2020 election—back when such things mattered, before white suprematist, social media anarchist, and agent of government destruction Elon Musk took over.
OTD in 1960, “The Twilight Zone” episode “Third From the Sun” (season 1, episode 14) was first broadcast on CBS. A scientist feeling remorse over building hydrogen bombs plots with his friend to steal an experimental, top-secret spacecraft so they and their families can flee an imminent nuclear war.
January 8, 2026 at 1:43 PM
OTD in 1960, “The Twilight Zone” episode “Third From the Sun” (season 1, episode 14) was first broadcast on CBS. A scientist feeling remorse over building hydrogen bombs plots with his friend to steal an experimental, top-secret spacecraft so they and their families can flee an imminent nuclear war.
Ya know, I hear Canada has a ton of “incredible natural resources.” And whaddya know, it just happens to be in “our neighborhood.” All those syrup suckers and log lovers better be real good to little Donnie.
January 8, 2026 at 3:37 AM
Ya know, I hear Canada has a ton of “incredible natural resources.” And whaddya know, it just happens to be in “our neighborhood.” All those syrup suckers and log lovers better be real good to little Donnie.
Trump calls for arbitrarily increasing the already bloated DoD budget by 50 percent based on … a whim, because we’re “entitled to” it?
FYI, $1,500,000,000,000 is more than all federal spending for every other department, agency, and branch—excluding DHS, HHS, Treasury, and Social Security.
FYI, $1,500,000,000,000 is more than all federal spending for every other department, agency, and branch—excluding DHS, HHS, Treasury, and Social Security.
Trump wants to boost the U.S. military budget from the already record ~$1 trillion per year to $1.5 trillion. (He says it can be done while paying down debt, which is not based in mathematical reality: national debt has risen by ~$2 trillion since Trump was sworn in a year ago.)
January 7, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Trump calls for arbitrarily increasing the already bloated DoD budget by 50 percent based on … a whim, because we’re “entitled to” it?
FYI, $1,500,000,000,000 is more than all federal spending for every other department, agency, and branch—excluding DHS, HHS, Treasury, and Social Security.
FYI, $1,500,000,000,000 is more than all federal spending for every other department, agency, and branch—excluding DHS, HHS, Treasury, and Social Security.
“None of this is inevitable. It would be madness to resume nuclear testing, let treaties lapse and expand arsenals that already could wipe out the planet.”
And yet the US and multiple countries—at least partly in response to our actions going back two-plus decades—are actively raising global risks.
And yet the US and multiple countries—at least partly in response to our actions going back two-plus decades—are actively raising global risks.
In 20 days, the @thebulletin.org's 2026 Doomsday Clock announcement will be made in Chicago 🕚
Read about the clock's history—and why its relevance is still extremely pressing today—in the @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/06/e...
Read about the clock's history—and why its relevance is still extremely pressing today—in the @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/06/e...
Editorial: Tick, tick goes the Doomsday Clock
A few decades ago, worries about nuclear war were few. Alas, those concerns are returning.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:50 PM
“None of this is inevitable. It would be madness to resume nuclear testing, let treaties lapse and expand arsenals that already could wipe out the planet.”
And yet the US and multiple countries—at least partly in response to our actions going back two-plus decades—are actively raising global risks.
And yet the US and multiple countries—at least partly in response to our actions going back two-plus decades—are actively raising global risks.