Is Russia getting ready to use chemical weapons in Ukraine?

22 March 2022

An attack on a Ukrainian chemical plant released toxic ammonia, forcing locals to stay indoors. Analysts suggest Russia may carry out more such attacks as a form of chemical warfare, and could escalate to deploying chemical weapons

Strobe weapons: What are they, who is using them and do they work?

17 November 2021

Belarusian soldiers used flashing lights to daze Polish forces amid a border stand-off last week. Strobe weapons have been claimed to have more serious effects, but evidence is lacking

The invention of the nuclear bomb

4 July 2019

Second world war bomb explodes after three-quarters of a century

25 June 2019

This huge crater in a field in Germany was created when a bomb dropped around 75 years ago finally exploded

Death rays: How the dream of an ultimate weapon became a dark farce

18 December 2018

The quest for the ultimate destructive weapon is a convoluted story of egos, charlatanry and deception – with a starring role for mercurial genius Nikola Tesla

Trump pulling the US out of a nuclear treaty is anything but smart

24 October 2018

Ripping up the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty will spur a debilitating and dangerous arms race at a time the world can least afford it

Bombhead and Bombs Away: when remembering is an art

2 May 2018

Powerful reminders of our nuclear and military past echo in an uncertain present, with a show in Vancouver and new book pulling no punches

US may respond after chemical weapons attack in Syria

11 April 2018

The use of chemical weapons in the Syrian civil war may spark a US military response, after Russia denies Syrian government is responsible

US wants first drones that can kill people truly independently

23 March 2018

Small drones that can automatically spot, identify and target vehicles and people are planned by the US military, although humans would still be overseeing them

Swarms of cheap drones are attacking missile defences in Yemen

8 March 2018

Home-made drones are attacking the world’s most sophisticated defence systems. It’s not clear if the attacks have worked yet, but it’s a trend likely to continue