Nuclear Issues

CSIS’s International Security Program and the Project on Nuclear Issues analyze nuclear policy issues including deterrence, escalation, and arms control, and is the leading network of nuclear policy professionals.

Photo: Manuel Mata/Adobe Stock

Photo: Manuel Mata/Adobe Stock

How to Get Away with a Nuclear Test

Talk of nuclear testing and threats of escalation are part of an ongoing Russian effort to manipulate nuclear risks and deter Western intervention in Ukraine. Whether or not Russia resumes testing will depend on Putin’s expected response from the international community.

Critical Questions by Heather Williams — October 5, 2023

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Project Atom 2023

Report by Heather Williams Kelsey Hartigan Lachlan MacKenzie Robert Soofer Tom Karako Oriana Skylar Mastro Franklin Miller Leonor Tomero and Jon Wolfsthal — September 29, 2023

Photo: Tech. Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger/U.S. Air Force

Reactions from the Next Generation

Report by Heather Williams Jamie Kwong Nicholas Adamopoulos Suzanne Claeys Joseph Rodgers Doreen Horschig Lachlan MacKenzie Melissa Chan and Jessica Link — June 28, 2023

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Conference

Korea Global Forum 2023

Hosted by International Security Program
November 6, 2023 • 10:00 am – 6:00 pm EST
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Experts

Williams

Heather Williams

Director, Project on Nuclear Issues and Senior Fellow, International Security Program
Kelsey Hartigan

Kelsey Hartigan

Deputy Director, Project on Nuclear Issues and Senior Fellow, International Security Program
Victor Cha

Victor Cha

Senior Vice President for Asia and Korea Chair

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How to Get Away with a Nuclear Test

Talk of nuclear testing and threats of escalation are part of an ongoing Russian effort to manipulate nuclear risks and deter Western intervention in Ukraine. Whether or not Russia resumes testing will depend on Putin’s expected response from the international community.

Critical Questions by Heather Williams — October 5, 2023

Conventional-Nuclear Integration to Strengthen Deterrence

The evolving geopolitical landscape demands strategies for disincentivizing adversarial nuclear use to advance regional goals. In response, the United States and its allies are considering strategies to integrate conventional and nuclear forces and bolster deterrence.

Commentary by Doreen Horschig and Nicholas Adamopoulos — October 4, 2023

Project Atom 2023

How can the United States deter two peer competitors? To assist U.S. policy makers in addressing this question, the Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) invited a group of experts to develop competing strategies for deterring Russia and China through 2035.

Report by Heather Williams Kelsey Hartigan Lachlan MacKenzie Robert Soofer Tom Karako Oriana Skylar Mastro Franklin Miller Leonor Tomero and Jon Wolfsthal — September 29, 2023

Reactions from the Next Generation

As a follow-on to "The Fragile Balance of Terror," the CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues invited eight early- and mid-career experts to offer reflections on the volume. These rising voices outline a landscape of uncertainty that they will confront throughout their careers.

Report by Heather Williams Jamie Kwong Nicholas Adamopoulos Suzanne Claeys Joseph Rodgers Doreen Horschig Lachlan MacKenzie Melissa Chan and Jessica Link — June 28, 2023

Kishida’s Realism Diplomacy: Nuclear Disarmament

Japan seeks to promote nuclear disarmament while facing a complex security environment. This paper describes the current government’s blueprint for Japanese leadership in this space.

Report by Akiyama Nobumasa — June 8, 2023

Nuclear Belt and Road and U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Cooperation

As a latecomer to the global nuclear market, China’s share is still small, but it is increasingly becoming a competitive vendor based on its advanced nuclear technology, competitive prices, and lavish financing as part of its Nuclear Belt and Road.

Newsletter by Lami Kim — April 24, 2023

On the Horizon Vol. 5: A Collection of Papers from the Next Generation

The authors featured in this publication were members of The Project on Nuclear Issues' (PONI) 2022 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 and Jessica Link — February 28, 2023

Russia Suspends New START and Increases Nuclear Risks

Putin’s suspension of New START furthers the demise of arms control, eliminating one of the few remaining forums for dialogue between Moscow and Washington at a time of rising nuclear risk. Furthermore, it signals Russia’s increasing reliance on nuclear weapons.

Critical Questions by Heather Williams — February 23, 2023