# what countries currently have nuclear capabilities?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-currently-have-nuclear-capabilities/132741>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 17, 2002, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-currently-have-nuclear-capabilities/132741 "2002-10-17T22:36:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![elementzero1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@elementzero1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elementzero1)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2002, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-currently-have-nuclear-capabilities/132741/1 "2002-10-17T22:36:05Z")

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what countries have nukes? what countries are capable of launching nukes?

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**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2002, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-currently-have-nuclear-capabilities/132741/2 "2002-10-17T23:41:14Z")

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Look [here](http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/summary.htm).

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**Author:** ![elementzero1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@elementzero1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elementzero1)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2002, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-currently-have-nuclear-capabilities/132741/3 "2002-10-17T23:47:11Z")

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thanks

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**Author:** ![Shiva](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@Shiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiva)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2002, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-currently-have-nuclear-capabilities/132741/4 "2002-10-18T00:08:10Z")

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Add North Korea to the list.

[http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s704374.htm](http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s704374.htm)

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**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2002, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-currently-have-nuclear-capabilities/132741/5 "2002-10-18T00:13:00Z")

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Might a shorter list include countries that _don’t_ have nuclear capabilties? 😕

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**Author:** ![elsobrante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b19c9b/32.png) [@elsobrante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elsobrante)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2002, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-currently-have-nuclear-capabilities/132741/6 "2002-10-18T00:33:06Z")

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From my understanding, anyone can have nuclear capabilities, if they just put a little effort into it.

Just look at this article: [http://my.ohio.voyager.net/~dionisio/fun/make-your-own-h-bomb.html](http://my.ohio.voyager.net/%7Edionisio/fun/make-your-own-h-bomb.html)

This gives me the impression that countries like Iraq and North Korea are just kidding about their “Nuclear Programs”, and they are really hoarding these homemade “Vaccuum Cleaner” Nukes. This raises a valid point-be on the look out for old vacuum cleaners, they may be nukes! If you see one, try to get out of the country before the little timer gets to zero.