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  Study Guide
Back from the Brink

 
 
 

The Study Guide informs teachers of what they can do with this video in the classroom.

1. Questions to ask before viewing

With the Cold War over, is the world now safer from the threat of nuclear annihilation? Explain.

Are countries with the greatest number of nuclear weapons the most militarily secure? Why or why not?

Does the use of nuclear weapons carry any special moral concerns not associates with conventional warfare?
 

2. Featured speakers

  • Ms. Amy Lesser, On-Line Director, Center for Environmental Citizenship

    National Office:
    1161 Connecticut Avenue, NW #3-B
    Washington, DC 20009
    P: 202.234.5990
    F: 202.234.5997

    The Center for Environmental Citizenship (CEC) is a national non-partisan organization, which was founded by young activists in 1992 to encourage college students to be environmental citizens. CEC is dedicated to training and organizing a diverse, national network of young voters to protect the environment.

  • Admiral Stansfield Turner, Director, CIA 1977-1981
  • Dr. Bruce Blair, Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy Studies, Brookings Institution

    1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
    Washington, DC 20036
    P: 202.797.6000
    F: 202.797.6004

    The Brookings Institution carries out research for the information of the public, and educational activities, as a bridge between scholarship and public policy. The Institution was created in 1916.

  • Dr. Arjun Makhijani, President for Energy and Environmental Research,
    Institute for Energy and Environmental Research

    6935 Laurel Avenue
    Takoma Park, MD 20912
    e-mail: ieer@ieer.org

    The Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER) is dedicated to increasing public involvement in and control over environmental problems through the democratization of science.


3. Questions to ask after viewing

What steps can be taken to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons?

What steps can be taken to reduce the risk of accidental nuclear war?

Would a unilateral cut of nuclear warheads by the United States enhance or weaken U.S. military security?

Should the United States re-evaluate its policy of nuclear deterrence?

Do you think that a policy of nuclear deterrence is morally justifiable?
 

4. Classroom project

Divide your class into groups. Each group is part of a team of specialists preparing a report for the U.S. president on de-alerting nuclear weapons. Prepare a memo summarizing your recommendations as to whether the United States should de-alert weapons currently on hair-trigger alert and also separate weapons from their deilvery systems. Give reasons in support of your opinion.
 

5. Other activities

Set up a peace action committee. See End the Nuclear Threat Now Activist Guide.
 

6. Further reading and watching


 

7. Other organizations

Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
 
Federation of American Scientists
 
The Heritage Foundation
 
The Stimson Center
 
Center for Non-Proliferation Studies
 
The Ploughshares Foundation
 

8. Related issues

If you have become interested in these issues, you might have a look at the following issues as well.