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: Airman 1st Class Jack Rodriguez

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A public discussion series with Heather Williams, Tom Karako, and Kari Bingen offering real-time context and commentary on national security developments and strategic forces issues

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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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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

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

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

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

Toward a More Proliferated World?

Nuclear proliferation pressures are increasing at a time when traditional U.S. counterproliferation measures face new challenges. This CSIS/CNAS joint report explores seven geopolitical trends shaping these factors and provides pragmatic recommendations to alter course.

Report by Eric Brewer, Ilan Goldenberg , Joseph Rodgers , Maxwell Simon, and Kaleigh Thomas — September 2, 2020

NC3: Challenges Facing the Future System

This brief is the first in the PONI Deep Dive Debrief series that explores emerging or contentious nuclear challenges. It focuses on emerging political, informational, and fiscal risks to U.S. nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) architecture.

Brief by Suzanne Claeys, Eric Brewer, and Rebecca Hersman — July 9, 2020

Will U.S. Sanctions Snapback Force Iran Out of the NPT?

The United States is prepared to "snapback" sanctions on Iran, but Tehran has warned that move could push it out of the NPT, paving Iran’s way for nuclear weapons. How like is it that Iran abandons the treaty, and what should the United States do if it happens?

Commentary by Eric Brewer — May 15, 2020