“It doesn’t matter if there are 12,000 or 10,000 nuclear weapons. It’s shocking how much destruction we as humans can cause,” replied Malte Göttsche when asked about the current number of nuclear weapons in the world.
On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, PRIF and the Katholische Akademie Rabanus Maurus/Haus am Dom hosted a live podcast with Göttsche about nuclear deterrence and armament. The discussion with study director Yvonne Kathrin Zelter focused on whether nuclear disarmament is a realistic prospect or if it could weaken states’ security. This discussion is now available as the first episode of the biannual podcast series, “Strength*Weakness.”
As co-spokesperson for the Cluster for Natural and Technical Sciences in Arms Control Research (CNTR) and Head of the Science for Nuclear Diplomacy Research Group, Göttsche explained how scientific research can help mitigate dangers to promote long-term, sustainable “true peace,” which he believes can only exist “without nuclear weapons.” Currently, there are approximately 12,000 nuclear weapons worldwide, primarily owned by the United States and Russia. However, the recent U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities have increased the nuclear threat posed by proliferators such as Iran.
In addition to discussing technical details, such as the difference between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons, as well as the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Göttsche spoke about the signaling effect of maneuvers, such as the annual NATO exercise scenario, “Steadfast Noon,” and the recent Russian-Belarusian exercise, “Zapad,” which integrate nuclear weapons delivery systems. He also addressed nuclear threats in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
He discussed verification mechanisms that monitor nuclear activities of nuclear and non-nuclear weapon states. Inspectors travel to the respective country to monitor nuclear activities, though they can also be tracked remotely by evaluating satellite images, political statements, and budget plans, for example. According to Göttsche, it is clear that we are currently in a “qualitative arms race”: "All nuclear-weapon states are currently modernizing their nuclear programs.” More maneuverable missiles, in particular, are increasing instability because they are difficult to detect and assess as either nuclear or conventional attacks. This creates the danger that a nuclear war could be accidentally triggered.
The podcast episode with answers to further questions is available on the Haus am Dom website.
