Allen Hester

80 years after the U.S. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we refuse to let fear dictate our future.

Ploughshares is proud to stand by dozens of organizations working to ensure today’s conflicts do not become tomorrow’s nuclear catastrophes ⬇️

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80 years ago, the world changed forever 🌏

We are thankful for the brave truth-telling of the survivors of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, & nuclear testing. Disarmament is not simply a goal, it is our responsibility to those who paid the highest price. Join us: #HumanRaceNotArmsRace

Eighty Years After Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings, Time Is Running Out to Prevent a New Nuclear Arms Race | Friends Committee On National Legislation Eighty years ago, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing more than 200,000 people. Eight decades after those attacks, we are once again called...

⚠️80 years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, time's running out to prevent a new nuclear arms race.

Congress must act to steer us back from the brink and toward a better future rooted in peace, security, and shared humanity.

@nonukesplz.bsky.social

www.fcnl.org/updates/2025...

New from FCNL's @bridgetmoixfcnl.bsky.social ⬇️

80 years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, "we must continue to imagine and work for a world free of nuclear weapons and the threat they pose to humanity."

We are proud to support the Investing in Children Before Missiles (ICBM) Act.

As FCNL's @nonukesplz.bsky.social said, "We oppose pouring billions into new nuclear weapon systems...It’s time to end the wasteful spending on the Sentinel program and invest instead in schools and communities."

Sen. Markey, Rep. Khanna Introduce Legislation to Pause Sentinel Nuclear Missile Program. Washington (July 23, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), along with Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), today introduced the Investing in Children Before Missiles (ICBM) Act of 2025, legislation that would redirect funding from the troubled Sentinel nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program to the U.S. Department of Education.

@markey.senate.gov, @sanders.senate.gov, @senjeffmerkley.bsky.social, @vanhollen.senate.gov, and @rokhanna.bsky.social just introduced the ICBM Act of 2025, a move to redirect billions from the over-budget, delayed Sentinel nuclear missile program to public education.

Congress Faces a Record Breaking Trillion Dollar Pentagon Budget Proposal | Friends Committee On National Legislation The Trump administration has announced plans to request $1.01 trillion for Pentagon spending for fiscal year 2026. That includes more than two thirds of the $150 billion from the reconciliation bill…

"Every dollar directed to the Pentagon is a dollar not spent on affordable housing, strong schools, quality healthcare, or a more livable planet."

Congress must hold the line and ensure a trillion-dollar Pentagon budget doesn't become business as usual.
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Congress Faces a Record Breaking Trillion Dollar Pentagon Budget Proposal | Friends Committee On National Legislation The Trump administration has announced plans to request $1.01 trillion for Pentagon spending for fiscal year 2026. That includes more than two thirds of the $150 billion from the reconciliation bill c...

The Trump administration has announced plans to request $1.01 trillion for the Pentagon, paired with massive cuts to critical non-military programs like housing assistance, education initiatives, environmental programs, and foreign aid. www.fcnl.org/updates/2025...

The Case Against Nuclear Testing | Friends Committee On National Legislation During his first administration, President Trump rarely spoke about nuclear weapons, claiming he deliberately avoided the topic due to the gravity of the issue.

Real security does not come from more nuclear explosions, but from preventing the use of nuclear weapons altogether. Along with 15 of our faith partners, FCNL affirms that diplomacy and nuclear arms control negotiations are the path to sustainable peace. www.fcnl.org/updates/2025...

Critical State: The AI-Powered Surveillance Boom in Texas If you read just one thing this week … read about the high-tech surveillance Texas state police have acquired.

This week's Critical State, hyping work by:

- @francescadnunz.bsky.social at @texasobserver.org

- @ruthmichaelson.com at @theguardian.com

- Nathan Gardels at @noemamag.com

- @penamerica.bsky.social

- @nonukesplz.bsky.social at Inkstick

- Patrick Winn at @prx.org

- Plus more!

Does Trump Really Care About Getting Rid of Nuclear Weapons? US president Donald Trump says he opposes nuclear weapons, but his administration has taken aim at nuclear nonproliferation programs.

Pres Trump has repeatedly highlighted the existential threat & financial burden that nuclear weapons pose.

Yet as FCNL's @nonukesplz.bsky.social explains, his administration's policies are increasing -not decreasing- those threats & costs.

@inkstickmedia.com
inkstickmedia.com/does-trump-r...

Does Trump Really Care About Getting Rid of Nuclear Weapons? US president Donald Trump says he opposes nuclear weapons, but his administration has taken aim at nuclear nonproliferation programs.

Despite Donald Trump occasionally sounding the alarm on nuclear weapons, his administration has taken aim at nuclear nonproliferation programs, writes @nonukesplz.bsky.social

Rewriting the Narrative on Nuclear Weapons: A research-based guide to building a safer future For those seeking to reduce nuclear risks and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons, Rewriting the Narrative on Nuclear Weapons is a practical, research-based guide designed to reverse the dominant nar...

Nuclear threats are on the rise. But attention to the issue has dwindled.

That's why @nti.org & @ploughshares.bsky.social created this great new resource to help advocates effectively communicate the need for action to protect the safe, sustainable future we all deserve.
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This week, we joined partners for a Nuclear Threat Action Day, dropping off copies of Annie Jacobsen’s “Nuclear War: A Scenario" to raise awareness in Congress of the existential risks of nuclear weapons.

We were heartened to hear the book is already mandatory reading in one House office.

Great day spreading awareness about the dangers of nuclear war on Capitol Hill, including dropping a copy of “Nuclear War: A Scenario” off with Speaker Mike Johnson’s team.

#educateDONTescalate

Today Ploughshares and its partners are delivering copies of Annie Jacobsen’s recent book Nuclear War: A Scenario to every member of Congress. Please urge your representatives to read this essential book! Find your representatives here: www.congress.gov/members/find...

Congress Plans to Fund War Over Supporting Citizens: The Moral Cost of Military Overspending | Friends Committee On National Legislation Last Friday, February 21 Senate Republicans passed a $340 billion budget framework, allocating substantial funds to military spending and border security, despite unanimous Democratic opposition. This...

Congress giving more money to the Pentagon at the expense of essential social services undermines the nation’s moral and ethical obligations to its citizens. Such cuts would be devastating for millions of Americans www.fcnl.org/updates/2025...

People, planet, & peace

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Pentagon, profits, & power

This week, global experts warned that humanity is closer than ever to catastrophe. Among many serious threats, they warned that the militarization of AI is increasing the risk of nuclear war.

Shawn Adams recently broke down what's at stake and the need for action.
www.fcnl.org/updates/2024...

As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy today, we remember his poignant words. And we remain steadfast in our advocacy for peace, justice, and environmental stewardship as we prepare for the difficult times ahead.

The FY25 Defense Bill: Progress and Pitfalls | Friends Committee On National Legislation The final compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 reflects modest progress and ongoing challenges in U.S. defense spending and national security.

"A sustainable future requires prioritizing peacebuilding, human needs, and accountability over endless military spending."
@nonukesplz.bsky.social

Tell Congress: limit Pentagon spending, invest in peace Tell Congress: Hold the Line on Pentagon Spending—Invest in Peace and Justice

While there are plenty of things to critique about this bill, it is encouraging that the NDAA avoided authorizing further spending increases above the fiscal responsibility act levels. The defense appropriations bill should do the same.
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Pentagon fails 7th audit in a row, eyes passing grade by 2028 “This result was not a surprise, and I know that on the surface it doesn't sound like we're making progress. However, that is not the case,” said DoD comptroller Michael McCord.

More Concerns:
-No Pentagon audit requirement—the Dept. of Defense remains the only federal agency to never pass an audit. Billions of taxpayer dollars are unaccounted for.
-Discriminatory provisions targeting LGBTQ+ communities remain.
breakingdefense.com/2024/11/pent...

Final Summary: Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5009) - Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Updated December 18, 2024 Table numbers in parentheses are increases or decreases from the FY25 Request  FY25 requested levels come from the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation’s Fiscal Year...

Concerns:
-$895B for defense spending deepens militarization while congress actively considers cuts to housing, education, healthcare, & climate resilience.
-More funding for nuclear weapons, further fueling the global arms race
armscontrolcenter.org/final-summar...

Why Humans, Not AI, Should Control Nuclear Weapons | Friends Committee On National Legislation When the stakes are unimaginably high, like in decision making around nuclear weapons, relying solely on artificial intelligence, or AI, is risky.

Positives:
-Sticks to the $895B spending cap from the Fiscal Responsibility Act (no extra increases).
-No expansion of the draft to include women
-AI & nuclear safeguards: Requires “positive human actions” for nuclear weapons deployment
www.fcnl.org/updates/2024...

$895.2 billion compromise NDAA released, sliding under Fiscal Responsibility Act cap levels In an interview with Breaking Defense, Rep. Adam Smith said he was unsure if he would support the bill due to concerns about language that restricts transgender care for the children of servicemembers...

🧵The FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is heading to President Biden’s desk. Let’s break it down: breakingdefense.com/2024/12/895-...

Why Humans, Not AI, Should Control Nuclear Weapons | Friends Committee On National Legislation When the stakes are unimaginably high, like in decision making around nuclear weapons, relying solely on artificial intelligence, or AI, is risky.

AI makes decisions faster, but when it comes to nuclear weapons, speed can mean catastrophe. Human judgment, not algorithms, must remain in control. The stakes are too high. I'm glad to see the national defense bill recognizes this risk. www.fcnl.org/updates/2024...