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 creative opportunities for emerging experts from a wide range of backgrounds 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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Photo: iLab/CSIS

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Game On: Opportunities for Euro-Atlantic Strategic Stability and Arms Control

Europe is likely to remain a theater of instability despite pressure for a peace settlement in Ukraine. As the United States shifts toward the Indo-Pacific and Russia continues to pursue its territorial ambitions, what might arms control look like after the war in Ukraine?

Report by Heather Williams, Nicholas Adamopoulos, Lachlan MacKenzie, and Catherine Murphy — April 21, 2025

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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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What Led to the Recent Crisis Between India and Pakistan?

India and Pakistan’s recent crisis highlights how rapidly tensions can escalate to a dangerous level, marking a new era of conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The region should develop off-ramps and strengthen confidence-building measures.

Critical Questions by Diya Ashtakala — May 20, 2025

Audio Briefs

What Led to the Recent Crisis Between India and Pakistan?

An audio version of “⁠⁠⁠⁠What Led to the Recent Crisis Between India and Pakistan?⁠⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Diya Ashtakala. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Diya Ashtakala — May 20, 2025

Audio Briefs

What Allies Want: European Priorities in a Contested Security Environment

While the United States remains committed to NATO, it its placing growing pressure on its allies to shoulder more of the burden for European defense. As allies shoulder a growing conventional burden, they want to ensure US extended deterrence commitments remain.

Report by Nicholas Adamopoulos — May 12, 2025

We Need More Off-Ramps for Nuclear Crises

States should develop off-ramps—such as crisis communications, third-party mediation, and narrative manipulation—now and in advance of crises in order to reduce the risk of nuclear use.

Commentary by Heather Williams and Nicholas Adamopoulos — May 12, 2025

Audio Briefs

We Need More Off-Ramps for Nuclear Crises

An audio version of “⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We Need More Off-Ramps for Nuclear Crises⁠⁠⁠⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS's Heather Williams and Nicholas Adamopoulos. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Heather Williams and Nicholas Adamopoulos — May 12, 2025

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

Russian Inconsistency on Arms Control Is an Opportunity for Europe

An audio version of “⁠⁠⁠⁠Russian Inconsistency on Arms Control Is an Opportunity for Europe⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS's Heather Williams. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Heather Williams — May 8, 2025

Audio Briefs

Russian Inconsistency on Arms Control Is an Opportunity for Europe

While Russia has been inconsistent in its messaging about arms control, Moscow has remained consistent in insisting that European nuclear powers be part of any future agreement—both messages present challenges, but also opportunities for the future of arms control.

Commentary by Heather Williams — May 8, 2025

The Cost of Deterrence

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department for a conversation on the future of U.S. defense spending and the cost of American military power, featuring CSIS experts Dr. Tom Karako, Dr. Heather Williams, and Kari A. Bingen. 

Event — May 6, 2025