The number of nuclear warheads is less than a sixth of what it was in the mid-eighties. From a high of over 60,000 to just about 10,000, there has been a significant drop. Unfortunately, it only takes one to create a disaster and now there are more countries with at least one nuke in their arsenal. Between aging infrastructure in the super-powers, and uncertain security around all of them, including the new entrants, the danger posed by nuclear weapons continues to be too great. Even if they are never fired in anger, accidents can happen, and we have to hope that the accident rate is far less than one in ten thousand.
“Rising, Then Pulling Back From A Peak” – Bulletin of Atomic Scientists
Pretending Not To Panic 