Analysis / Commentary, Next Gen CommunityPyongyang’s momentum: Moving its nuclear weapons and missile programs forward ByElisabeth I-Mi SuhPublished Apr 4, 2022Despite economic hardships and total isolation, Pyongyang continues developing and modernizing its nuclear weapons program by expanding its capacity to produce fissile materials and grow its materials stockpile, as well as boosting the diversity of its short- to theatre-range delivery systems, and pursuing its newest ICBM.
Analysis / CommentaryReading the Nuclear Tea Leaves: Policy and Posture in the Biden AdministrationByRebecca Hersman and Joseph RodgersPublished Jun 14, 2021The nuclear policy community is once again in the grips of pervasive anxiety that U.S. nuclear policy—encompassing force modernization decisions, declaratory policy, and perceptions of adversary nuclear threat and risk—is either about to dramatically change or fail to change as dramatically as it should. In a polarized community characterized by mistrust and a highly politicized…
Analysis / Commentary, Next Gen CommunityFlexibility and Survivability: The Next Generation of the U.S. Nuclear StockpileByAaron Richards and CSIS PONIPublished Dec 11, 2018While the current environment continues to challenge the United States, future threats will further weaken America’s nuclear weapons stockpile without action. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review called for nuclear modernization and the time is now to act and secure our strategic deterrent for the future.
Analysis / CommentaryContinuity Is Not Consensus: The Future Nuclear Posture ReviewByRebecca HersmanPublished Oct 22, 2018The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, preceded by wide debate, is enjoying a honeymoon of sorts. Domestically, it received strong support and close to full funding while internationally, it has received strong support from allies. However, controversy over the NPR may be just around the corner. There needs to be strong bipartisan commitment to nuclear infrastructure and delivery system modernization as well as arms control.
Analysis / Commentary, Next Gen CommunityThe wrong response to Russia’s INF Treaty violationByAbigail Stowe-ThurstonPublished Sep 13, 2018In the latest response to Russian INF Treaty violations, the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act renews calls for the development of a new missile system. This provision will not only violate the INF Treaty but also put the United States on a poor footing with its European allies. Read previous PONI intern and 2018 Capstone…
Analysis / CommentaryRestoring RestraintByRebecca HersmanPublished Jun 19, 2018In 2012, a 20-year moratorium on state employment of chemical weapons use was broken. Since then, there have been more than 200 uses, against civilians, military targets, and political enemies.
Analysis / Commentary, Next Gen CommunityThe Future of Submarine Second Strike and the Balance of StabilityByIsaac Jenkins and CSIS PONIPublished May 7, 2017SSBNs are proliferating, they are getting quieter, and methods for detecting SSBNs are improving. These three trends set the nuclear powers up for a competition that may diminish the stabilizing role SSBNs have historically played.
Analysis / Commentary, Next Gen CommunityBehind the Nuclear Veil – A Look at Daily LifeByAaron Joseph Bonovitch and CSIS PONIPublished Apr 24, 2017Despite the incredible work that they put into the job, the men and women keeping up the nuclear umbrella rarely see anything other than the part that they play, but their job is crucial to maintaining a nuclear deterrence policy.
Analysis / Commentary, Next Gen CommunityMaintaining the Real Nuclear Deterrent: The Nuclear Security Enterprise and the People Within ItByAnthony Juarez and CSIS PONIPublished Jan 11, 2017In an increasingly complex and ambiguous international security environment, it has never been more important that we ensure that the nuclear security infrastructure.
Analysis / CommentaryTime for Nuclear Straight Talk: Words Matter, and So Do DeedsByRebecca HersmanPublished Jan 4, 2017For the benefit of allies, adversaries, and the American people, the time is now to rethink how U.S. leaders publicly justify the purpose, size, and character of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.