The Growing Threat of Nuclear Weapons – Level 2

It has been 80 years since atomic bombs were first used in warfare, and many experts believe the risk of nuclear conflict is higher than ever. The original concept for the bomb was outlined in 1940 by two scientists who had fled Hitler. They understood its unimaginable power.

The first bombs, dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, had an explosive power of around 20 kilotons of TNT and were enough to end World War II. However, these are small compared to modern weapons. A standard warhead today can be six times more powerful, while the largest US bomb could kill over a million people instantly.

Currently, nine nations possess nuclear arsenals, with the United States and Russia controlling about 90% of them. Geopolitical tensions are rising, and the arms-control treaties that once kept the peace are failing. With conflicts involving nuclear-armed states and the development of new military technology, the global situation is becoming more unstable. The original scientists saw the bomb as a deterrent that should never be used, a goal that now seems more important than ever.