Nuclear Issues

Though nuclear weapons have not been used since 1945, their threat is omnipresent when nuclear powers join the battlefield. CSIS scholars analyze key nuclear policy issues including deterrence, escalation, and arms control.

Photo: © CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images

Photo: © CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images

Can the United States Immediately Return to Nuclear Testing?

President Trump’s post raises technical questions about how and if the United States could “immediately” return to nuclear testing, and political considerations about the signaling behind nuclear testing and who would benefit most from a return to testing.

Listen to article

Critical Questions by Heather Williams — October 30, 2025

See all analysis on Nuclear Issues

Latest Podcasts

See all podcasts on Nuclear Issues

Past Events

See all events on Nuclear Issues

Related Programs

Experts

Williams

Heather Williams

Director, Project on Nuclear Issues and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Victor Cha

Victor Cha

President, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair
Joseph Rodgers

Joseph Rodgers

Deputy Director and Fellow, Project on Nuclear Issues

All Nuclear Issues Content

Filter by

71 - 80 of 459 results

Debating Global South Reactions to Russian Nuclear Threats

Russia is responsible for its nuclear saber-rattling, not the countries in the Global South. Global South countries have condemned nuclear saber-rattling publicly in regional and international forums, even if some of them have not called out Russia explicitly. 

Commentary by Heather Williams and J. Luis Rodriguez — July 30, 2024

Audio Briefs

Debating Global South Reactions to Russian Nuclear Threats

An audio version of “Debating Global South Reactions to Russian Nuclear Threats,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Heather Williams with J. Luis Rodriguez. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Heather Williams and J. Luis Rodriguez — July 30, 2024

Audio Briefs

House of Cards?

While the norms against nuclear proliferation, use, and testing are widely supported and critical for stability, they are increasingly contested. The fragile interconnectedness of the norms urges global action to reinforce these pillars and prevent a destabilizing cascade.

Report by Heather Williams and Doreen Horschig — July 18, 2024

PONI 2024 Summer Conference

PONI will host its 2024 Summer Conference on July 17-18 at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The conference will explore topics related to nuclear deterrence.

Event — July 17, 2024

Audio Briefs

Anticipating a Change in Public Sentiments

An audio version of “Anticipating a Change in Public Sentiments,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Doreen Horschig. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Doreen Horschig — July 16, 2024

Audio Briefs

Anticipating a Change in Public Sentiments

In the future, NATO should engage in a more structured public education campaign to counter Russian disinformation campaigns and maintain public support for its defense policies, strategy toward Ukraine, and nuclear mission.

Commentary by Doreen Horschig — July 12, 2024

Audio Briefs

The Kremlin’s Caribbean Gambit: A Great Power Competition Spillover?

An audio version of “The Kremlin’s Caribbean Gambit: A Great Power Competition Spillover?,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Ariel González Levaggi with Vladimir Rouvinski. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Ariel González Levaggi and Vladimir Rouvinski — June 25, 2024

Audio Briefs

The Kremlin’s Caribbean Gambit: A Great Power Competition Spillover?

Senior Associate Ariel González Levaggi and Vladimir Rouvinski consider how the recent visit of Russian naval assets in Cuba may play in the larger great power competition between the United States and Russia, especially in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Commentary by Ariel González Levaggi and Vladimir Rouvinski — June 24, 2024

Europe Needs More Conventional Forces, Not Its Own Nukes

The U.S. election has renewed debate about an independent European nuclear force. Yet this distracts from the real European defense issue: a lack of conventional combat power. Europe's main task remains the same as during the Cold War: strengthen conventional deterrence.

Commentary by Doreen Horschig and Sean Monaghan — June 21, 2024