Shortly after winning election in 2016, Donald Trump, responding to comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin, pledged to expand the United States’ nuclear arsenal. In 2017, the size of the stockpile dropped by 196 and now stands at 3,822 weapons — the lowest since early 1956. The delivery mechanisms for nuclear weapons — submarines, aircraft and silos — are one thing. The FAS estimates that while the United States has more weapons deployed, the Russian stockpile is about 14 percent larger. (Federation of American Scientists)While the size of the American stockpile matches that of 1956, its strength doesn’t.

Source: Washington Post March 23, 2018 19:08 UTC