ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the nuclear programs of the nine states that possess nuclear weapons. It provides an overview of the technical and organizational structures of the American, Russian, Chinese, British, French, Indian, Pakistani, Israeli, and North Korean nuclear programs. The chapter shows despite the growing momentum and international push for disarmament efforts, all legally recognized nuclear weapon states as well as states outside the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty are retaining their nuclear arsenals. The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) was opened for signature in 1968 and subsequently entered into force in 1970. The United States was the first country to develop nuclear weapons and the only one to use them in war. The US nuclear program began under the leadership of Franklin Roosevelt in 1939. The new framework provided the doctrinal underpinning to India's evolving nuclear posture and the sanctity of government approval for the use of nuclear weapons.
