CSIS launched the Project on Nuclear Issues in 2003 to develop the next generation of policy, technical and operational nuclear professionals through outreach, mentorship, research and debate.

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Projects

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  • Deterrence 101

    Deterrence 101 is a collection of three thirty-minute long videos that explore core deterrence theory. Each video describes basic deterrence concepts, roots these ideas in a historical timeline, and features interviews with leading nuclear policy experts.

  • On the Radar

    On the Radar provides analysis on emerging technologies that are expected to reshape situational awareness across the spectrum of conflict, and examines the implications of these technologies for nuclear strategic stability. It is a product of a two-year research collaboration between the Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Nuclear Policy Working Group (NPWG) at the University California Berkeley, funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

  • Nuclear Narrative

    This study aims to create a dialogue with the nation’s nuclear personnel about the rationales for the U.S. nuclear arsenal that already exist—some of which have been stated at the highest levels of leadership—to ask what the nuclear forces actually hear, what works and what does not, and what motivates them on a daily basis.

Programs

All Programs

  • Conference Series

    Each year PONI hosts four conferences that bring together people from across the nuclear enterprise to discuss a range of nuclear issues. The PONI yearly conference series brings together junior and senior level professionals from the laboratories, the military, and industry, academia and policy sectors to hear selected presentations on a range of topics related to nuclear weapons policy and strategy.

  • Nuclear Scholars Initiative

    The Nuclear Scholars Initiative aims to provide top graduate students and young professionals from around the country with a unique venue to interact and dialogue with senior experts on nuclear weapons issues. Those accepted into the program are hosted once per month over the course of six months at CSIS in Washington, DC where they participate in two-day workshops.

  • Mid-Career Cadre

    The Mid-Career Cadre is a select group of nuclear professionals that have been in the field for 7 or more years and demonstrate promise for moving into leadership positions or bringing new ideas and perspectives to the field. In certain cases, PONI will also consider applications from individuals with less than 7 years of experience in the field, such as from those from individuals shifting career paths. Cadre members come from technical, policy, academic, and military backgrounds.

PONI Updates

All PONI Updates

In September 2024, Joseph Rodgers became Deputy Director and Fellow, and PONI closed applications to apply to the 2025 Nuclear Scholars Initiative. Caroline Ward joined PONI as a Program Manager in August 2024.

Next Gen Highlights

  • Samuel Lair

    Douglas “SN00P” Ottino is a Captain in the United States Air Force serving as an Instructor Pilot in the F-35A and Assistant Chief of Weapons, 310th Fighter Squadron. Doug has flown over 500 hours and completed multiple overseas assignments in the F-15C and F-35A. Previously, Doug was the Chief of Nuclear Integration at the 48th Fighter Wing, leading efforts across NATO nations to certify the F-35A as the first fifth-generation dual capable fighter aircraft. Additionally, Doug worked with nuclear sharing nations on multinational exercises, operational plans, and technical working groups. Doug holds a bachelor’s in Political Science from the United States Air Force Academy and is finishing a master’s in War Studies from King's College London. Doug has completed NATO’s Nuclear Policy School and the Air Force’s Nuclear Weapons, Effects, Policy, and Proliferation graduate program. When not flying fighters or thinking about WMDs, Doug enjoys baking sweet treats for his brilliant partner Kayla.

  • Colin Levaunt

    Colin Levaunt is an analyst at RAND with an interest in geopolitical strategic competition, strategic stability and nuclear forces, deterrence, international political economy, and strategy and force planning. His research and analysis at RAND has focused on strategic nuclear stability and deterrence, wargaming, and strategic and budgetary assessment. Colin has a M.S. in mathematics from the University of Vermont and B.S. in mathematics and physics from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

  • Ayazhan Muratbek

    Ayazhan Muratbek is a research assistant to Rose Gottemoeller at Stanford Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC), where she supports research on nuclear security, Russian relations, the NATO alliance, EU cooperation and non-proliferation. Her research interests focus on nuclear security policy and geopolitics in the former Soviet Union, particularly in Russia and Central Asia. Ayazhan holds a B.A. in International Relations from Suleyman Demirel University in Kazakhstan and a M.A. in Global Studies from The University of Oklahoma (OU). Before joining CISAC, she worked as a research assistant at the Cyber Governance and Policy Center at OU. Originally from Almaty, Kazakhstan, Ayazhan now resides in Palo Alto, CA.

About PONI

The Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) cultivates young professionals by building relationships, deepening understanding, and sharing perspectives across the full range of nuclear issues and communities.
The content of this web site does not constitute an endorsement by or opinion of the Project on Nuclear Issues or any sponsor of PONI.

Director
Heather Williams
Deputy Director and Fellow
Joseph Rodgers