Project on Nuclear Issues

Founded in 2003, PONI is the premier networked community of next generation professionals prepared to meet the nuclear challenges of the future

PONI programs provide inclusive, diverse, and creative opportunities for emerging experts to learn about nuclear issues and engage thoughtfully with the nuclear community. PONI also conducts cutting-edge research and analysis on three main topic areas: deterrence and escalation, risk reduction and arms control, and disarmament.

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Next Generation Nuclear Network

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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Integrated Arms Control in an Era of Strategic Competition

January 25, 2022 | Rebecca Hersman, Suzanne Claeys and Heather Williams

This study examines the implication and prospects for the future of arms control in a highly competitive security environment in which challenges from advanced technologies and diminished state control over processes of verification become increasingly prominent features, even as the scope and modalities of arms control grow more complex and multifaceted.

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2023 Winter Conference

Please join the Project on Nuclear Issues for our February 2023 Winter Conference, hosted in Honolulu.

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Featured Project: 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.

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On the Horizon Vol. 3: A Collection of Papers from the Next Generation

The authors featured in this publication were members of The Project on Nuclear Issues’ (PONI) 2020 Nuclear Scholars Class. The PONI Nuclear Scholars Initiative is a select group of rising next-gen voices, comprised of graduate students and young professionals.

Report by Reja Younis — February 23, 2021

Photo: U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/SENIOR AIRMAN SERGIO A. GAMBOA

Nuclear Modernization under Competing Pressures

The Biden administration will face early decision points regarding the modernization of critical elements of the U.S. nuclear weapons enterprise in an environment buffeted by competing forces and pressures.

Critical Questions by Joseph Rodgers and Rebecca Hersman — February 12, 2021

Photo: U.S Pacific Fleet/Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Arms Control Strategies for a New Administration

While the extension of the New START treaty between the United States and Russia is a critical step to promoting arms control strategies, the international environment is changing enough that new ideas and strategies are going to be necessary to ensure a secure future.

Critical Questions by Suzanne Claeys and Rebecca Hersman — February 4, 2021

Photo: Alexey SAZONOV/AFP/Getty Images

Nuclear Proliferation Challenges Facing the Biden Administration

The Biden administration faces a number of challenges in nonproliferation, starting from traditional adversaries like Iran and North Korea but also involving traditional U.S. partners like Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Turkey.

Critical Questions by Eric Brewer — February 4, 2021

Photo: Cia Pak/Scannews

Deep Dive Debrief: Strategic Stability and Competition in the Arctic

This brief focuses on the implications of climate, economic, and political trends in the Arctic region for strategic stability, great power competition, and nuclear stability, policy, and posture. It is the third in the Project on Nuclear Issues Deep Dive Debrief series.

Brief by Eric Brewer , Rebecca Hersman , and Maxwell Simon — January 6, 2021

Photo: U.S. Pacific Fleet/Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

U.S. Nuclear Warhead Modernization and “New” Nuclear Weapons

The brief examines the debate surrounding the development of U.S. nuclear warheads and whether the United States is creating “new” nuclear weapons. It examines the expansion of U.S. nuclear warhead capabilities and its implications for the U.S.-UK and NATO relations.

Brief by Joseph Rodgers , Rebecca Hersman , and Bryce Farabaugh — December 10, 2020

Photo: U.S. Pacific Fleet/Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Online Event: International Security at the Nuclear Nexus (Day 2)

Nuclear weapons issues lie at the heart of a wide range of national and international security subject areas, such as conventional/nuclear integration as well as machine learning and artificial intelligence, cyber and space.

Event by Tom Karako , Ian Williams , Eric Brewer , Lindsey R. Sheppard , and Rebecca Hersman — October 22, 2020

Photo: Jordan R. Beesley/U.S. Navy

Online Event: International Security at the Nuclear Nexus (Day 1)

Nuclear weapons issues lie at the heart of a wide range of national and international security subject areas, such as conventional/nuclear integration as well as machine learning and artificial intelligence, cyber and space.

Event by Kaitlyn Johnson , Eric Brewer , Morgan Dwyer , Kathleen H. Hicks , and Rebecca Hersman — October 21, 2020

Photo: Jordan R. Beesley/U.S. Navy