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.

Featured Microsite

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.

Photo: CSIS

Photo: CSIS

Contact

Media Queries

Upcoming Events

Featured Project

Photo: Airman 1st Class Jack Rodriguez

Photo: Airman 1st Class Jack Rodriguez

HTK Series

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

Featured Analysis

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

Related

Featured Event

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.

Learn More

All Project on Nuclear Issues Content

Filter by

21 - 30 of 306 results

War and the Modern Battlefield: Insights from Ukraine and the Middle East

The United States faces one of the most dangerous international security environments in recent history. While some aspects of warfare remain perennial, the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are showing how others are rapidly evolving on the modern battlefield.

Digital Report by The CSIS Defense and Security Department — September 16, 2025

Returning to an Era of Competition and Nuclear Risk

The future of modern warfare will feature increased reliance on nuclear weapons by adversaries and allies. Modern war strategists must develop a nuanced approach to prevent miscalculation and maintain stability in an era of renewed competition and growing nuclear risks.

Commentary by Heather Williams, Joseph Rodgers, and Elizabeth Kos — September 16, 2025

Audio Briefs

Returning to an Era of Competition and Nuclear Risk

An audio version of “⁠Returning to an Era of Competition and Nuclear Risk⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Heather Williams, Joseph Rodgers, and Elizabeth Kos. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Heather Williams, Joseph Rodgers, and Elizabeth Kos — September 16, 2025

Audio Briefs

China's Military on Parade

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department for a conversation on China's military parade.

Event — September 4, 2025

Audio Briefs

Parading China’s Nuclear Arsenal Out of the Shadows

An audio version of “⁠Parading China’s Nuclear Arsenal Out of the Shadows⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Joseph Rodgers and Heather Williams. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Joseph Rodgers and Heather Williams — September 4, 2025

Audio Briefs

Parading China’s Nuclear Arsenal Out of the Shadows

China's Victory Day parade unveiled a full nuclear triad, challenging U.S. strategic superiority and signaling a new era of deterrence aimed at preventing intervention in a Taiwan conflict.

Commentary by Joseph Rodgers and Heather Williams — September 4, 2025

China's Victory Day Military Parade

On September 3, China held its Victory Day parade to mark the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan and the end of World War II. The military parade showcased China’s weapons and growing military capabilities.

Event — September 3, 2025

What Trump’s Submarine Threat and Russia’s INF Exit Really Mean

Social media is again the preferred platform for nuclear signaling following an online clash between Trump and Medvedev, which included Trump's announcement of repositioning nuclear submarines and Medvedev's response to Russia's announcement that it will no longer limit its intermediate-range nuclear forces.

Commentary by Heather Williams — August 7, 2025

Audio Briefs

What Trump’s Submarine Threat and Russia’s INF Exit Really Mean

An audio version of “⁠What Trump’s Submarine Threat and Russia’s INF Exit Really Mean⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Heather Williams. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Heather Williams — August 7, 2025

Audio Briefs