<P> Having once had widespread overseas nuclear bases and facilities, both the United States and the former Soviet Union have inherited particular responsibilities and costs . Moreover, all nuclear - weapons states had developed not only production and servicing facilities, but also sometimes extensive military staging and storage . </P> <P> Although the Cold War has ended, domestic basing and overseas deployment of nuclear weapons has not ended . Moreover, the nuclear - weapon states remain in various reduced but palpable conditions of defensive alert . </P> <P> Risks of deliberate, accidental, or unauthorized nuclear devastation remain . Moreover, terrorists and hackers continue to interfere with nuclear stability and confidence . </P> <P> World inventories of weapons - grade fissile materials are substantial, much greater than now needed for military purposes . Until these materials can be demilitarized, they need to be security safeguarded . Many production facilities are yet to be shut down . </P>

Discuss the past and present impact of the cold war on the world