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Stephen Herzog

@herzogsm.bsky.social

Professor of the Practice, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies | Associate, Harvard Project on Managing the Atom | nuclear arms control, nonproliferation, disarmament, technology

351 Followers  |  117 Following  |  84 Posts  |  Joined: 01.04.2025
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Posts by Stephen Herzog (@herzogsm.bsky.social)

Somebody shoot that god damn dove before it triggers a global thermonuclear war!

26.02.2026 23:24 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Atomic Backfires: When Nuclear Policies Fail A sobering edited volume on how efforts to reduce nuclear weapons dangers may sometimes wind up exacerbating them.The existential risks posed to the world

A free book about bad decisions involving nuclear weapons. What's not to like?

Atomic Backfires: When Nuclear Policies Fail
direct.mit.edu/books/oa-edi...

Thanks to @herzogsm.bsky.social and the other editors for providing open access at @mitpress.bsky.social

26.02.2026 23:21 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Why do so many countries not participate in Biological Weapons Convention CBMs? Sharma & Hobson analyze CBM submissions & 51 working papers/statements. They identify capacity gaps & system design as obstacles & propose reforms.

New #OpenAccess in the NPR: doi.org/10.1080/1073...

23.02.2026 13:32 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Nuclear Belarus: explaining Russian security guarantees In 2022, Russia announced its plans to deploy nuclear weapons to Belarus, which would mark the first such deployment in an allied state since the Soviet Union’s collapse. Deploying nuclear weapons ...

In our newest issue of the NPR, @alexsorg.bsky.social of @managingtheatom.bsky.social has written an article looking into Russian security guarantees to Belarus.

Check it out here: doi.org/10.1080/1073...

19.02.2026 14:57 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The fall of Qaddafi and its contribution to shaping Russia’s strategic outlook and policy on nuclear nonproliferation Vladimir Putin and other influential Russian figures portrayed Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi’s relinquishment of his nuclear program as a strategic error: they often declared that the decision f...

Russia’s takeaway from Libya was stark: Qaddafi gave up his nuclear weapons program and still fell. In our newest issue, Norman Cigar traces how that lesson shaped Putin’s strategic culture and Russia’s approach to nuclear nonproliferation.

doi.org/10.1080/1073...

18.02.2026 14:16 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Nonproliferation Review Publishes research on nonproliferation studies, including issues of state-run weapons programs and economic and environmental effects of weapon proliferation.&n

We are excited to join the BlueSky community and will soon be posting updates about our articles on WMD!

As always, we are looking forward to your submissions. Check us out online: www.tandfonline.com/journals/rnp...

17.02.2026 15:35 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Rethinking the Deterrence-Disarmament Dichotomy: The Complex Landscape of Global Nuclear Weapons Preferences | Perspectives on Politics | Cambridge Core Rethinking the Deterrence-Disarmament Dichotomy: The Complex Landscape of Global Nuclear Weapons Preferences

In a new article, CISAC affiliates Lauren Sukin and J. Luis Rodriguez, along with colleague Stephen Herzog, challenge the idea that nuclear deterrence and disarmament are opposites, drawing on new global survey data from 24 countries.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

30.01.2026 23:21 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Atomic Backfires The existential risks posed to the world by nuclear weapons are growing. Efforts to halt nuclear proliferation, manage crises, promote arms control, and buil...

Was a pleasure yesterday to help introduce the terrific new book on unintended negative consequences of counterproliferation, alliance, and arms control policies with editors Stephen Herzog, Ariel Petrovics, and David Giles Arceneaux. The e-book is open access.
mitpress.mit.edu/978026205185...

12.02.2026 19:24 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
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As the Trump administration’s β€œWhat about China?” nuclear arms control agenda for a New START follow-on unfolds, here’s a 2020 throwback. @thebulletin.org

Link here: doi.org/10.1080/0096...

07.02.2026 17:04 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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While a new legally-binding agreement would be ideal, policymakers and scholars should probably be thinking about how the next generation of arms control can be successful without the same legal status of a treaty.

07.02.2026 17:04 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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This represents the new era of U.S. domestic political polarization on nuclear arms control and has long-term potential to undermine all bilateral initiatives with Russia. A future arms control-minded president will likely struggle to get Senate approval for a formal treaty.

07.02.2026 17:04 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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β€œWhat about China?” is here to stay. This is likely not a Trump-only phenomenon, but a durable feature of U.S. domestic politics around nuclear arms control.

07.02.2026 17:04 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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As the Trump administration’s β€œWhat about China?” nuclear arms control agenda for a New START follow-on unfolds, here’s a 2020 throwback. @thebulletin.org

Link here: doi.org/10.1080/0096...

07.02.2026 17:04 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Are deterrence and disarmament compatible?

In a new paper with @jluisrodriguez.com & @herzogsm.bsky.social, we question the common deterrence-disarmament divide.

With a survey of nuclear attitudes, we show publics around the world simultaneously support both policies.

tinyurl.com/5cbf76cx

29.01.2026 09:34 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 8    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Atomic Backfires: When Nuclear Policies Fail Join MTA for a Book Talk with Dr. Stephen Herzog, Professor of the Practice at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies and Associate of the Project on Managing the Atom; Dr. Giles David Arceneaux, Ass...

ONE WEEK until we hear from @herzogsm.bsky.social, @gdavidarceneaux.bsky.social & Dr. Ariel Petrovics on their newly released "Atomic Backfires: When Nuclear Policies Fail"

www.belfercenter.org/event/atomic...

04.02.2026 14:45 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Rethinking the Deterrence-Disarmament Dichotomy: The Complex Landscape of Global Nuclear Weapons Preferences | Perspectives on Politics | Cambridge Core Rethinking the Deterrence-Disarmament Dichotomy: The Complex Landscape of Global Nuclear Weapons Preferences

In this new open access article in @poppublicsphere.bsky.social, co-authored by @laurensukin.bsky.social and @herzogsm.bsky.social, we present evidence that challenges key assumptions about nuclear politics.

28.01.2026 15:47 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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NOW OUT ON FIRSTVIEW!!

Rethinking the Deterrence-Disarmament Dichotomy: The #Complex #Landscape of #Global #Nuclear #Weapons #Preferences

By @laurensukin.bsky.social, @jluisrodriguez.com & @herzogsm.bsky.social

doi.org/10.1017/S153...

28.01.2026 13:45 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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#OpenAccess from @poppublicsphere.bsky.social -

Rethinking the Deterrence-Disarmament Dichotomy: The Complex Landscape of Global Nuclear Weapons Preferences - https://cup.org/49ZEBjz

- @laurensukin.bsky.social, @jluisrodriguez.com & @herzogsm.bsky.social

#FirstView

28.01.2026 09:20 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Are nuclear issues at the heart of the Russia-Iran relationship? Interview with Nicole Grajewsi

As some of you already know, I recently moved to Paris for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position at @ceri-sciencespo.bsky.social @sciencespo.bsky.social. Here is a recent interview I did on my research agenda and background. www.sciencespo.fr/ceri/en/news...

22.01.2026 13:07 β€” πŸ‘ 57    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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Foreword by Scott Sagan and chapters from a stellar group of contributors: Dave Allison, Tyler Bowen, @dbsalisbury.bsky.social, Binn Cho, Kristin Ven Bruusgaard, Sarah Bidgood, @jjjcameron.bsky.social, @professorrdg.bsky.social, Eliza Gheorghe, Ulrich KΓΌhn,
and @laurensukin.bsky.social.

16.01.2026 15:37 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

4/5

It can be read as a collection, and each chapter can be assigned as a standalone for a course unit. Atomic Backfires is divided into four sections.

-The Costs of Counterproliferation
-When Escalation Management Fails
-Arms Control or Arms Racing
-Patron-Client Dilemmas

16.01.2026 15:37 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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The volume’s contributors show how well-intentioned, standard operating procedure nuclear policies can sometimes exacerbate nuclear dangers.

16.01.2026 15:37 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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If you are a scholar, practitioner, or student of nuclear weapons issues, we hope that you will give Atomic Backfires a read. Edited by me, @gdavidarceneaux.bsky.social, and Ariel Petrovics.

16.01.2026 15:37 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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1/5

Great news! "Atomic Backfires: When Nuclear Policies Fail" is now #OpenAccess so that everyone can read it online. Thanks to generous support from @mitpress.bsky.social Direct to Open (D20). @managingtheatom.bsky.social @belfercenter.bsky.social

Check it out here:
doi.org/10.7551/mitp...

16.01.2026 15:37 β€” πŸ‘ 21    πŸ” 14    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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In the Nonproliferation Review, I recently published an #OpenAccess article about the institutional design of the TPNW. It addresses misconceptions about the treaty's intent and parameters. It suggests ways for proponents and opponents to fairly assess the #NuclearBan.

doi.org/10.1080/1073...

12.01.2026 13:17 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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In the Nonproliferation Review, I recently published an #OpenAccess article about the institutional design of the TPNW. It addresses misconceptions about the treaty's intent and parameters. It suggests ways for proponents and opponents to fairly assess the #NuclearBan.

doi.org/10.1080/1073...

12.01.2026 13:17 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Nonproliferation Review published a second special issue on Beyond Nuclear Deterrence. Co-edited by me, Hassan Elbahtimy & @professorrdg.bsky.social

In the #OpenAccess intro we review 2 years of activities & challenges of the Beyond Nuclear Deterrence Working Group: doi.org/10.1080/1073...

05.01.2026 21:07 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Our article "Atomic Responsiveness" by @smetanamichal.bsky.social @laurensukin.bsky.social @herzogsm.bsky.social & @mvranka.bsky.social recently sparked a scholarly discussion with @florianeblenkamp.bsky.social. We've just published a series of Policy Briefs that documents this exchange πŸ‘‡

06.01.2026 16:21 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Check out the full special issue here: www.tandfonline.com/toc/rnpr20/3...

05.01.2026 21:07 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Nonproliferation Review published a second special issue on Beyond Nuclear Deterrence. Co-edited by me, Hassan Elbahtimy & @professorrdg.bsky.social

In the #OpenAccess intro we review 2 years of activities & challenges of the Beyond Nuclear Deterrence Working Group: doi.org/10.1080/1073...

05.01.2026 21:07 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0