In Dangerous Ground, Scott Ritter, one of the worlds leading experts on arms control, tells a bold and revisionist account of the inseparable histories of the post-World War II American presidency and nuclear weapons. Unpacking sixty years of nuclear history, Ritter shows that nuclear weapons have become such a fixture that they define present-day America on economic, military, political, and moral grounds. And despite fears of global nuclear proliferation, the greatest threat to international stability, Ritter argues, is the USs addiction to nuclear weapons. Even in light of Barack Obamas historic speech in April 2009which called for the eventual abolition of nuclear weaponsAmerica continues to guard a significant and dangerous nuclear stockpile. The notion that we are more secure with nuclear weapons is deeply entrenched in the American psycheand virulently protected by forces in the US establishment. As long as this paradigm persists, Ritter suggests, there will be no fundamental US policy change, and as such, no change in global nuclear proliferation.

Author Biography

Scott Ritter served as Chief Weapons Inspector for the United Nations Special Commission in Iraq from 1991-1998. He is the author of Iraq Confidential, Target Iran, and Waging Peace. He lives in upstate New York.