Here are some sobering statistics: 

Nine countries possess nuclear weapons today, including: (1) Russia with approximately 7,500; (2) the United States with approximately 7,200; (3) France with fewer than 300; (4) China with approximately 250; (5) the United Kingdom with fewer than 215; (6) Pakistan with 110-120; (7) India with 90-110; (8) Israel, which is believed to possess 80 weapons; and (9) North Korea, which is estimated to possess enough plutonium for up to 10 fission bombs.

On Sunday, the New York Times featured a distressing front page story about North Korea’s nuclear activities and the changing landscape of how neighboring countries are reviewing their own nuclear capabilities. Countries, such as South Korea, Japan and Australia, that for years have avoided developing nuclear weapons, are now reconsidering. Does it make sense for them to be nuclear-free if other countries are arming themselves?

A week ago, MIT hosted a Day of Action when the MIT community and our neighbors came together to learn, collaborate, and explore avenues of action.

As the inauguration draws ever closer, tweets and comments loom larger and larger. Today's post was adapted from an op-ed piece written by MIT Professor Emeritus Aron Bernstein and appeared in The Hill on January 12, 2017.

Last week, the Center for International Studies hosted a substantive program, Trump’s Victory: What Does It Mean for You?. Among the excellent speakers was Nadeem Mazen, MIT alum and a member of the Cambridge City Council. Part of Nadeem’s talk centered on the need for MIT to deploy the “genius” here at MIT into our local neighborhoods.