CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI)

#NEW?from Vol. 7 of the PONI Nuclear Scholars Journal! ??from John Bloodwood?and Leigh Ann Kesler?at Los Alamos National Laboratory. "A Materials Criticality Assessment Framework for a Resilient Nuclear Security Enterprise" Read their analysis here: https://lnkd.in/eN-V9n2B

??Nuclear Scholar Spotlight!?? Alvina Ahmed?is a program analyst in the US Navy. In this role, she analyzes strategic laydown of the Atlantic Fleet’s capabilities, including dispersal plans for the nation’s sea-based strategic deterrence. She also led coordination efforts for US Fleet Forces Command’s contributions to the 2024 Chief of Naval Operations Navigation Plan. Alvina served as a Nuclear Risk Reduction Fellow in the Nolan Center for Strategic Weapons at the Council on Strategic Risks and was the 2024 Defense Expert with YPFP (Young Professionals in Foreign Policy); in her role with YPFP, she conducted analysis and wrote on nuclear deterrence, arms control, and emerging security challenges. Previously, Alvina held internships at the Center for European Policy Analysis?and the International Rescue Committee. Alvina holds an MA in International Affairs from American University School of International Service and a BA in English from the the State University of New York?at New Paltz. Read more about the 2025 Nuclear Scholars Class here:? https://lnkd.in/erwKmXeu

??Nuclear Scholar Spotlight! ?? Hrishita B. works as a Research Assistant for Dr. Oriana Skylar Mastro at the Stanford Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC), where she supports research on Asia-Pacific security, China’s nuclear strategy, and U.S. modernization efforts for renewed competition. Prior to joining CISAC, she completed a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Chicago, with concentrations in international security, conflict studies, contentious politics, and research methods. During her time at UChicago, she also worked as a research assistant to Dr. Paul Staniland and as a media intern at the Center for International Social Science Research. Her research interests include nuclear politics and strategy, emerging technologies, and nuclear proliferation, with a regional focus on South and East Asia. Meet more of the 2025 Nuclear Scholars here: https://lnkd.in/erwKmXeu

#NEW from Vol. 7 of the PONI Nuclear Scholars Journal! ??from Paulina (Polly) Keim at National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). "The Nuclear Security Enterprise Needs Some Recruitment and Retention" Read her analysis here: https://lnkd.in/eN-V9n2B

??Future Arms Control Expert Spotlight! ?? Brian Young is an R&D geophysicist and principal member of technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories where he has worked since 2016 primarily on topics related to nuclear explosion monitoring. He holds a Ph.D. in Earth Science from the Center for Earthquake Research and Information at The University of Memphis. He is the SNL lead for legacy data related to explosion monitoring and has worked extensively on analysis of historical U.S. nuclear testing and recovery of data dating as far back as 1960. He additionally leads software development for the Regional Seismic Travel Time (RSTT) project, is a subject matter expert for the Geophysical Monitoring System, and the seismic lead for a series of mesoscale chemical explosive experiments. He also participates in meetings, workshops, and exercises of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization - CTBTO as a seismic, historical testing, and on-site inspection expert.

Read the latest from the Next Generation Nuclear Network blog! Mandar Ransing writes about how India's Integrated Rocket Force is a step towards strengthening its conventional deterrence in the region. Read his full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/eWUMEXTh

#NEW?from Vol. 7 of the PONI Nuclear Scholars Journal! ??from Ashley Wiser?at ANSER. Ashley was a Class of 2024 Nuclear Scholar. "On the Eve of a World Without New START Or: How There’s Still No Such Thing as a ‘Nonstrategic’ Nuclear Weapon" Read her analysis here: https://lnkd.in/eN-V9n2B

PONI is now hiring a Spring 2025 intern! ?? Research nuclear weapons and defense issues ?? Support PONI's early and mid-career programming ???Compile the Nuclear Policy News weekly newsletter ??Produce an independent research product Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eSzwfhDf

#NEW?from Vol. 7 of the PONI Nuclear Scholars Journal! ??from Chris L.?at Harvard's Belfer Center. Chris was a Class of 2024 Nuclear Scholar. "Revisiting Biological Arms Control in an Era of Emerging Biotechnology: Are There Lessons from Strategic Arms Control?" Read his analysis here:?https://lnkd.in/eN-V9n2B

??Future Arms Control Expert Spotlight! ?? Jamie Withorne?is a Doctoral Research Fellow in Political Science at the University of Oslo with the Oslo Nuclear Project. She is also a Junior Associate Fellow at the NATO Defense College. In her PhD, Jamie examines how emerging technology, changing regional geopolitics, and alliance structures like NATO effect nuclear weapons strategic stability. Previously, Jamie worked as a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellow with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Energy Agency in the Department of Nuclear Security and Safety, a Graduate Affiliate and Research Assistant with the Oslo Nuclear Project, and a Research Assistant at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Washington, DC. She has also held positions at several nuclear policy organizations including the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the U.S. Department of State of State, and the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. Her research focuses on nuclear weapons policy, arms control and nonproliferation, and emerging technology. Jamie has a BA in Political Science from Columbia University in the City of New York, and an MPhil in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Oslo. Read more about our Future Arms Control Experts cohort here: https://lnkd.in/ebiafK9A