A brief history of China's nuclear forces

From Cold War-era distrust of the Soviets to Beijing's recent silo buildup, we review some of the ideas and methods that have helped China become the nuclear power it is today. Guests: Decker Eveleth, graduate research assistant at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California (beginning at the 1:47 mark); And Joseph Cirincione, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a national security analyst with 40 years of experience in Washington, D.C. (at the 20:05 mark). Read Eveleth's recent report on Chinese nuclear forces, here. And you can find Cirincione's 1999 review of the Cox Report, here. See also a new report from the Chicago Council entitled, "Majority in US Want to Learn More about Nuclear Policy."