CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues

PONI is now hiring a Fall 2025 intern!

📢Support PONI’s outreach efforts on social media
📺 Support PONI's next-gen programming
🗞️Compile the daily Nuclear Policy News newsletter
📖Produce an independent research product

Learn more and apply: careers.csis.org/opportunitie...

Nuclear Weapons in the Age of the DOGE - Nuclear Network Nuclear modernization spending, though costly, pales in comparison to that associated with conventional warfare, as demonstrated by the war in Ukraine. Nuclear deterrence plays a key role in preventin...

#NEW blog from Adam Reynolds:

"Investing in nuclear modernization is not only about survival, but also offers potentially long-term cost-savings for the U.S. government through prevention of a war involving the U.S. or one of its allies."

Read it here: nuclearnetwork.csis.org/nuclear-weap...

In the newest episode of The Negotiator Files, Dr. Amy Nelson interviewed Amb. Linton Brooks, who discusses his role in START I and II negotiation and verification processes.

Watch the interview here: youtu.be/KnAbysl1KkQ

🔦 Nuclear Scholars Spotlight! 🔦

Caroline Russell is Senior Consultant at Potomac Wave and a former NGFP fellow at the NNSA. Caroline holds a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and an M.A. in European Studies from Georgetown University.

The Climate Strain on the Nuclear Security Enterprise - Nuclear Network This piece, the first in a two-part series on the nexus of climate change and nuclear security, will examine the impacts of climate change on the NSE, and highlight a handful of circumstances that wou...

In a #NEW blog post, a Next Generation Author examines the implications of climate change on the nuclear security enterprise and US nuclear deterrent.

Read the full analysis here:
nuclearnetwork.csis.org/the-climate-...

In the newest episode of The Negotiator Files, PONI interviewed Susan Koch, who discusses her role in formulating and executing the Presidential Nuclear Initiatives.

Watch the interview here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL4p...

PONI's Nuclear Scholars Initiative recently concluded its 2025 programming. 25 young nuclear professionals participated in six, two-day workshops where they deepened their knowledge on nuclear issues.

Congratulations to the 2025 cohort!

🔦 Nuclear Scholars Spotlight! 🔦

Shawn Rostker is a Research Analyst with the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. His research investigates nuclear strategy, arms control, and emerging technologies, with a focus on East Asia. He holds a Master’s from Georgetown SFS.

What does the American public think about US nuclear weapons policy? - Nuclear Network Dr. Katie Peach discusses trends in American public opinion on nuclear programs spending and arms control treaties.

In a #NEW blog post, @katiepeach.bsky.social discusses trends in American public opinion on nuclear programs spending and arms control treaties.

Read her full analysis here: nuclearnetwork.csis.org/what-does-th...

In the newest episode of The Negotiator Files, PONI interviewed Elaine Bunn, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense. She discusses her role in the INF and START treaties.

Watch the interview here: youtu.be/Bj7rolERKNQ

🔦 Nuclear Scholars Spotlight! 🔦

Ariel (Phantitra) Phuphaphantakarn is an IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie scholar in Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey and a Graduate Research Assistant at the James Martin CNS.

YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies The Negotiator Files: A Conversation with Franklin Miller

In the first of a #NEW series of oral history interviews, Franklin Miller discusses his role in START I and II negotiation and verification processes while offering advice for the next generation of arms control experts.

Watch the full interview here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCn8...

Disruption or Dismantlement: Diverging Assessments of Iran Nuclear Strikes - Nuclear Network Rising Lion and Midnight Hammer were widely hailed as a marvel of operational success, but the true measure of strategic success hinges on a murkier question: did the strikes merely delay Iran’s nucle...

"Rising Lion and Midnight Hammer were widely hailed as a marvel of operational success, but the true measure of strategic success hinges on a murkier question."

In a #NEW blog post, Bailey Schiff assesses the impact of the strikes on Iran's nuclear program:
nuclearnetwork.csis.org/disruption-o...

Heather Williams (CSIS) takes over hosting duties at the Strategic Simplicity Podcast to discuss our recent Foreign Affairs article, "How to Survive the New Nuclear Age." Link below:

Mid-Career Cadre - Nuclear Network The Mid-Career Cadre is a select group of nuclear professionals that have been in the field for 7 or more years and demonstrate promise for moving into leadership positions or bringing new ideas and p...

PONI's Mid-Career Cadre applications close today! Cohort participants will have the opportunity to expand their policy, leadership, and technical skills through a variety of professional development exercises.

Apply here: nuclearnetwork.csis.org/programs/mid...

U.S. Bombs Iran: What Comes Next? | CSIS Events Join CSIS Directors Heather Williams, Kari Bingen, and Tom Karako for a discussion on the future of Iran's nuclear program.

HAPPENING NOW:

Join the CSIS Defense and Security Department for a conversation with Heather Williams, Kari Bingen, and Tom Karako on the escalation risks of Operation Midnight Hammer and implications for the future of Iran's nuclear program.

Watch it live here:

🔦 Nuclear Scholars Spotlight! 🔦

Philipp Rombach is a Research Associate at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory where he researches space deterrence and inadvertent escalation. Philipp holds an MA in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University focused on security studies.

Mid-Career Cadre - Nuclear Network The Mid-Career Cadre is a select group of nuclear professionals that have been in the field for 7 or more years and demonstrate promise for moving into leadership positions or bringing new ideas and…

There's just one more week to apply to PONI's Mid-Career Cadre! Past cohort members developed their nuclear skills in roundtables with former Assistant Secretary Mallory Stewart and NSC Senior Director Pranay Vaddi.

Apply by June 30:

U.S. Bombs Iran: What Comes Next? | CSIS Events Join CSIS Directors Heather Williams, Kari Bingen, and Tom Karako for a discussion on the future of Iran's nuclear program.

FRIDAY at 1:30 PM ET:

Join the CSIS Defense and Security Department for a conversation with Heather Williams, Kari Bingen, and Tom Karako on the escalation risks of Operation Midnight Hammer and implications for the future of Iran's nuclear program.

Register here:

Mid-Career Cadre - Nuclear Network The Mid-Career Cadre is a select group of nuclear professionals that have been in the field for 7 or more years and demonstrate promise for moving into leadership positions or bringing new ideas and p...

There's just a few days left to apply to PONI's Mid-Career Cadre! We welcome applications from nuclear professionals who demonstrate promise for moving into leadership positions or bringing new ideas to the nuclear enterprise.

Apply by June 30! nuclearnetwork.csis.org/programs/mid...

The Fallout Factor in Targeting Iran’s Nuclear Program Operation Midnight Hammer may mark the ceiling that conventional force can achieve against Iran’s nuclear program without triggering fallout. For Israel, this means future operations will likely…

"Operation Midnight Hammer may mark the ceiling that conventional force can achieve against Iran’s nuclear program without triggering fallout," writes @poni.csis.org

More on how radioactive fallout risks limit military action against Iran’s nuclear program:

What Operation Midnight Hammer Means for the Future of Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions Operation Midnight Hammer struck Iran's key nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan using B-2s and Tomahawk cruise missiles. This effort aimed to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities,…

Operation Midnight Hammer struck Iran's key nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz & Isfahan using B-2s & Tomahawk cruise missiles. This effort aimed to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities—but its success is still to be determined.

More from @poni.csis.org ⤵️

U.S. Bombs Iran: What Comes Next? | CSIS Events Join CSIS Directors Heather Williams, Kari Bingen, and Tom Karako for a discussion on the future of Iran's nuclear program.

Please join CSIS DSD Friday, June 27 from 1:30-2 PM EDT for a conversation with @heatherwilly.bsky.social, Kari Bingen, and Tom Karako on escalation risks and the implications for the future of Iran's nuclear program.

Register here: www.csis.org/events/us-bo...

In a #NEW commentary, @doreenhorschig.bsky.social and Bailey Schiff write about how radioactive fallout risks might shape the limits of military action against Iran’s nuclear program.

Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/fal...

What Operation Midnight Hammer Means for the Future of Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions Operation Midnight Hammer struck Iran's key nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan using B-2s and Tomahawk cruise missiles. This effort aimed to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities, but...

In a #NEW CQ, PONI Deputy Director and Fellow Joseph Rodgers writes about Operation Midnight Hammer, which aimed to destroy Iran's uranium enrichment facilities, and its potential impact on the future of Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Read his full analysis here:
www.csis.org/analysis/wha...

Iran and the Changing Character of the Nonproliferation Regime Rising tensions with Iran expose a volatile shift in the nonproliferation regime. As the regime’s normative power wanes, proliferation risks will rise, and military counterproliferation efforts will b...

"Rising tensions with Iran expose a volatile shift in the nonproliferation regime. As the regime’s normative power wanes, proliferation risks will rise, and military counterproliferation efforts will be more likely."

Read a #NEW commentary from Joseph Rodgers: www.csis.org/analysis/ira...

Options for Targeting Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Facility There are five main options for targeting Iran’s Fordow facility: the GBU-57, sustained Israeli strikes, sabotage, nuclear weapons, and diplomacy. Each varies in its potential impact on Iran’s…

"The destruction of Fordow is shaping up to be a Rubicon as the crisis escalates," writes @poni.csis.org expert Heather Williams on the potential for Israel to strike a key Iranian nuclear facility.

Read more on options for targeting Fordow:

🔦 Nuclear Scholars Spotlight! 🔦

Capt. Adam Reynolds is an Army FA52 Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Officer at DTRA. He holds a B.S. from West Point and M.S. from MIT.

Three Things Will Determine Iran’s Nuclear Future—Fordow Is Just One of Them Further strikes on Fordow, potentially with U.S. support, could be imminent, but their success is just one factor that will shape Iran’s nuclear future—along with possible withdrawal from the…

NEW: @poni.csis.org notes Fordow's centrality to Iran's nuclear program. Built 80-110 meters underground, destroying Fordow will require U.S. Air Force involvement or repeated Israeli strikes on the site.

Read the full update on Iran's nuclear program:

Options for Targeting Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Facility There are five main options for targeting Iran’s Fordow facility: the GBU-57, sustained Israeli strikes, sabotage, nuclear weapons, and diplomacy. Each varies in its potential impact on Iran’s nuclear...

"In order to achieve its stated objective of dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, Israel will need to take out a key Iranian facility, the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant," writes Heather Williams.

Read more from @poni.csis.org on options for targeting Fordow: www.csis.org/analysis/opt...