In the depths of humanity's collective consciousness, a stark reminder of our capacity for devastation lurks—the haunting reality of nuclear weapons. From their cataclysmic birth to the enduring specter of the Cold War, these weapons of mass annihilation have cast a shadow of uncertainty over our world. This article will take you on a journey all about nuclear weapons.

• Invention

The origins of this destructive technology can be traced back to a pivotal moment in London in 1933 when Hungarian-born physicist Leo Szilard had a moment of inspiration near Russell Square. It would take nearly 12 years for his idea to materialize into the first detonation of a nuclear bomb, which occurred on 16 July 1945 as part of the Manhattan Project.

Szilard, a refugee from Fascism who had sought sanctuary in the UK, found himself amidst a scientific community at the forefront of nuclear physics. Inspired by James Chadwick's discovery of the neutron and the subsequent experiments on splitting the atom, Szilard realized that a self-sustaining chain reaction could occur if an atom, when split by neutrons, emitted two or more neutrons. This insight formed the basis of his idea.

Despite early setbacks, the breakthrough came in 1938 when German physicists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann bombarded uranium atoms with neutrons and discovered traces of the lighter element barium in the debris. Lise Meitner, an Austrian chemist who had escaped from Nazi Germany, explained that the uranium nucleus was undergoing a process known as fission, where it split into two roughly equal parts.

Further progress came when Italian physicist Enrico Fermi, also a refugee from Fascism, discovered that uranium fission released secondary neutrons necessary for a chain reaction. Szilard joined Fermi in New York, where they calculated that a kilogram of uranium could release as much energy as 20,000 tonnes of TNT!

Although doubts were raised, particularly regarding the availability of the necessary uranium-235 isotope, Szilard persisted in his conviction that a chain reaction was feasible and feared that the Nazis might exploit this knowledge. To raise awareness, he consulted with fellow Hungarian émigrés Eugene Wigner and Edward Teller, ultimately enlisting Albert Einstein to alert President Roosevelt to the potential danger.

The turning point came when two German physicists, Rudolf Peierls and Otto Frisch, working in the UK, demonstrated the feasibility of producing uranium-235 and its potential for weaponization. This revelation, conveyed in their memorandum to the British government, led to the initiation of the British bomb project, codenamed Tube Alloys, and spurred the United States to establish the Manhattan Project in 1942.

After years of intensive research and development, the first nuclear bomb was detonated during the Trinity Test on 16 July 1945 in New Mexico. This test confirmed the weaponization of nuclear energy and ushered in a new era of global arms race. The subsequent bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States marked the first and, to date, only use of nuclear weapons in warfare.

• History of Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear weapons have played a significant role in shaping the course of history since their inception.

In the aftermath of World War II, the United Nations General Assembly passed its first resolution in 1946, calling for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. The subsequent years witnessed a race among nations to acquire nuclear capabilities. In 1949, the Soviet Union became the second country to successfully test a nuclear device. The United Kingdom followed suit in 1952, conducting its first nuclear test.

The 1950s and 1960s witnessed a series of significant events in the nuclear realm. The United States tested the first hydrogen bomb in 1952, a weapon far more powerful than its predecessors. In 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world perilously close to nuclear war as the United States and the Soviet Union faced off over the deployment of missiles in Cuba. This crisis served as a stark reminder of the risks posed by nuclear weapons.

The international community responded to these threats. The signing of the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963 prohibited nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. Various regions also took steps towards disarmament. Latin America, in 1967, established the Treaty of Tlatelolco, prohibiting nuclear weapons in the region. Southeast Asia followed suit in 1995, creating a nuclear-weapon-free zone.

Efforts towards disarmament gained recognition and support from notable figures. In 1985, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War received the Nobel Peace Prize for raising awareness about the humanitarian consequences of nuclear war. In 2017, the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted, aiming to eliminate these weapons globally.

• Effects Of Nuclear Weapons

➙ Immediate Effects:

A single nuclear weapon detonation can obliterate an entire city and claim the lives of millions. The speed at which a nuclear explosion unfolds is unfathomable—within 10 seconds, a fireball engulfs its surroundings. The release of enormous energy in the form of blast, heat, and radiation creates a shockwave that travels at hundreds of kilometers per hour. Victims near the epicenter face immediate death, while those further away suffer lung injuries, ear damage, and internal bleeding. Collapsing buildings and flying debris cause additional injuries. The intense thermal radiation vaporizes everything in proximity, leading to severe burns and the initiation of widespread fires that merge into giant firestorms. Even individuals seeking refuge in underground shelters face imminent death due to oxygen depletion and carbon monoxide poisoning.

➙ Long-term Effects:

Beyond the initial devastation, nuclear weapons leave a lasting legacy of destruction. Ionizing radiation, emitted by these weapons, not only kills or sickens those exposed but also contaminates the environment, leading to long-term health consequences such as cancer and genetic damage. Atmospheric nuclear testing conducted between 1945 and 1980 is projected to result in approximately 2.4 million deaths worldwide due to related cancers. The consequences of nuclear weapons testing have grave implications for future generations.

➙ Global Impact:

Using even a fraction of the world's nuclear weapons has the potential to disrupt the global climate and threaten the lives of up to two billion people with long-term starvation—a phenomenon known as nuclear famine. The detonation of thousands of nuclear weapons could trigger a nuclear winter, causing irreversible harm to our fragile ecosystems. The far-reaching consequences of nuclear warfare render the efforts of physicians and first responders futile, as devastated areas become radioactively contaminated and inaccessible for humanitarian aid. The scale of displacement resulting from a nuclear war would create a refugee crisis of unprecedented magnitude, overwhelming any relief system that could be established in advance.

• The Current State of Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear weapons continue to pose a significant existential risk to humanity, with nine countries currently possessing these destructive capabilities. Despite a reduction in the overall number of weapons since the Cold War era, the global nuclear stockpile remains over 13,000.

➙ The United States:

The United States maintains the largest nuclear arsenal, with approximately 5,800 nuclear weapons in its inventory. Of these, 1,744 are deployed and ready for use. These weapons are stored in submarines, missile silos across the Great Plains states, and air force bases. Notably, the U.S. keeps a significant portion of its deployed weapons on hair-trigger alert, enabling quick launch capabilities.

➙ Russia:

Russia possesses an arsenal of approximately 6,375 warheads, of which 1,584 are deployed. Alongside the United States, Russia accounts for more than 90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons. Ongoing tensions between the two nations have slowed nuclear disarmament efforts. Russia has expressed its willingness to further reduce its nuclear arsenal if the United States agrees to limit its missile defense systems.

➙ China:

China, with an estimated 320 warheads, maintains a relatively modest nuclear arsenal. Unlike the United States and Russia, China does not keep its missiles on high alert, and most warheads remain unattached during peacetime. China adheres to a "no-first-use" nuclear policy but is concerned about U.S. investments in first-strike capabilities and missile defenses, potentially leading to an expansion and improvement of its nuclear forces.

➙ The United Kingdom:

The United Kingdom possesses an estimated 120 "operationally available" nuclear weapons, primarily carried by Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Recently, the UK announced plans to increase its maximum ceiling for nuclear warheads from 180 to 260, reversing a previous pledge.

➙ France:

France maintains an arsenal of nearly 300 deployed nuclear weapons, primarily based on submarines. While France views its deterrence strategy as strictly defensive, it does not rule out the possibility of being the first to use nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances of self-defense.

➙ Other Nuclear-Armed States:

North Korea's nuclear program has progressed, resulting in an estimated 30 to 40 nuclear warheads and advancements in long-range missile capabilities. India, concerned about both Pakistan and China, possesses around 150 nuclear weapons and is producing more. Pakistan, in response to India's actions, also has approximately 150 nuclear weapons and may be increasing its emphasis on short-range tactical weapons. Israel, although not officially acknowledged as a nuclear-armed state, is believed to possess around 100 nuclear weapons.

• Movements Against Nuclear Weapons

In response to the ongoing threat posed by nuclear weapons, various movements have emerged worldwide to advocate for disarmament and promote peace.

➙ Global Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament:

The Global Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (GCND) is a prominent international movement that aims to achieve the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. Comprised of diverse organizations, activists, and citizens, the GCND advocates for disarmament through public education, grassroots mobilization, and policy advocacy. It emphasizes the need for multilateral negotiations and the implementation of disarmament treaties.

➙ International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons:

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working to stigmatize, prohibit, and eliminate nuclear weapons globally. ICAN's efforts played a significant role in the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in 2017, which seeks to establish a legally binding framework for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

➙ Mayors for Peace:

Mayors for Peace is a network of over 8,000 cities and municipalities worldwide, committed to promoting peace and disarmament. It calls for the abolition of nuclear weapons, highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of their use. By raising awareness at the local level and engaging with policymakers, Mayors for Peace fosters dialogue and cooperation towards a world free of nuclear weapons.

➙ Youth and Student Movements:

Young people and student organizations have been actively involved in the movement against nuclear weapons. Initiatives like the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Youth Network and the Youth Fusion Initiative mobilize young activists, advocating for disarmament, peace education, and raising awareness of the consequences of nuclear weapons.

➙ Religious and Faith-Based Movements:

Religious and faith-based movements have also played a significant role in advocating for nuclear disarmament. Organizations such as the Vatican's International Security Forum and interfaith groups like Religions for Peace promote dialogue and cooperation among different religious communities to address the ethical, moral, and spiritual dimensions of nuclear weapons.

In a world where uncertainty looms, the reality of nuclear weapons serves as a chilling reminder of our capacity for destruction. From the birth of the atomic age to the tensions of the Cold War, these weapons of mass annihilation have cast a dark shadow over humanity. However, our true strength lies in our unwavering commitment to disarmament, non-proliferation, and lasting peace.