<![CDATA[NucleCast]]> https://anwadeter.org/nuclecast Welcome to NucleCast, the official podcast of the ANWA Deterrence Center. NucleCast is an engaging, educational podcast featuring a series of discussions and interviews with experts in nuclear policy, technology, and deterrence. The show is hosted by Dr. Adam Lowther, Strategic Advisor to the ANWA Deterrence Center and an expert on nuclear deterrence.

]]> RSS.com 2026.401.141116 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:18:50 GMT en 5f275635-bd37-56b5-9682-fccd9cc19f3d https://media.rss.com/nuclecast-podcast/20220906_080913_df164a03fda3e8e1747f616b6f87e3a6.jpg NucleCast https://anwadeter.org/nuclecast yes ANWA Deterrence Center 2022 ANWA Deterrence Center ANWA Deterrence Center false episodic podcast <![CDATA[David Albright: Iran, Inspections, and the Future of Nonproliferation]]> In this episode of NucleCast, renowned nuclear expert David Albright offers a clear‑eyed assessment of Iran’s nuclear program—where it began, where it stands today, and the risks that lie ahead. Drawing on decades of experience tracking nuclear proliferation, Albright explains how Iran built its nuclear capabilities, the role of foreign assistance and clandestine networks, and why enrichment capacity remains at the center of global concern.

The conversation examines current regional tensions, including Israeli threat perceptions and the broader implications of ongoing conflict for nuclear escalation. Albright also explores how quickly Iran could move toward a nuclear weapon, the challenges facing international inspections and diplomacy, and the critical leadership role the United States must play in preventing further proliferation.

Looking ahead, this episode considers possible future scenarios—from diplomatic breakthroughs to worst‑case outcomes—and closes with reflections on what a lasting path toward security and nonproliferation might look like in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2729520 8fdcf728-cbb0-4787-80ff-c7eea55fcc14 2089 full 4 4 264 264 false Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Manolis Priniotakis: Inside Nuclear Intelligence, From the Manhattan Project to Today]]> In this Legacy Series episode of NucleCast, Manolis Priniotakis explores the history and evolution of nuclear intelligence—from its origins during the Manhattan Project to the sophisticated capabilities shaping nuclear security today. Manolis brings deep insight into the missions, institutions, and technologies that have defined this critical field.

The conversation traces early efforts such as the Alsos Mission in World War II, the transition from military-led intelligence to civilian agencies, and the expanding role of organizations like the Department of Energy and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. We also examine how advances in nuclear forensics have strengthened attribution and nonproliferation efforts, while highlighting the challenges posed by emerging technologies and evolving threat environments.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2691681 e63fddf5-9595-4789-9099-ecf83a625d76 2031 full 4 4 263 263 false Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Andrea Stricker: Iran’s Nuclear Path and What the Latest Strikes Mean for Global Security]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam speaks with Andrea Stricker, Deputy Director of Nonproliferation Programs at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about the current state of Iran’s nuclear program and the implications of recent U.S. and Israeli military actions.

Stricker breaks down Iran’s nuclear weapons pathway, assesses the impact of recent strikes on key facilities and personnel, and explains what setbacks mean—and do not mean—for Tehran’s long‑term ambitions. The conversation explores Iran’s ability to rebuild its program, timelines for potential weaponization, and the risks posed by highly enriched uranium stockpiles and deeply buried enrichment facilities.

The discussion also examines Iran’s strategic motivations, regime survival calculus, and historical lessons from cases like North Korea, offering insight into future proliferation risks and the challenges facing U.S. and allied efforts to prevent a nuclear‑armed Iran.

Andrea is an expert on nuclear weapons proliferation and counterproliferation, open-source proliferation and policy analysis, and strategic commodity trafficking. Andrea has extensively researched Iran’s nuclear program, including its history, the regime’s proliferation efforts and technical advances, and diplomatic agreements. She is the co-author of five books on nuclear proliferation and is frequently cited by the media.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2669824 4ebe8329-36fc-4959-a231-a4ce8e5d9909 1915 full 4 4 262 262 false Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[LTG (Ret) Dan Karbler: Defending the Skies, Air and Missile Defense in a High‑Threat World]]> In this episode of NucleCast, retired Lieutenant General Dan Karbler joins the podcast to examine the evolving landscape of air and missile defense amid ongoing regional conflicts and accelerating technological change. Drawing on decades of operational and strategic leadership, LTG Karbler discusses how layered missile defense—from strategic homeland defense to tactical systems—is adapting to increasingly complex threats.

The conversation explores Iranian drone and missile activity in the Middle East, the role of systems such as THAAD, Patriot, and counter‑UAS, and the challenges of sustaining and reconstituting missile defense capabilities at scale. Lt Gen Karbler also offers insights into the Golden Dome concept for homeland missile defense, emerging future threats, and what deterrence requires in an era of precision missiles, massed drones, and rapid technological diffusion.

For nearly 37 years, Dan served our nation in a variety of positions in the United States and around the world. An expert in Air and Missile Defense and Space Operations, he has extensive experience in effectively leading large and complex military commands, conducting operations, requirements and capability development, test and evaluation, and budget formulation. Prior to retiring from the Army as a Lieutenant General, he led the U.S. Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), a globally dispersed organization across 23 locations and 11 time zones responsible for providing homeland and regional air and missile defense and space operations. During that time, Space and Missile Defense Command was named “The Army’s Best Place to Work” in 2022 and 2023.

Since retiring, Dan has joined the Center for Security and International Studies (CSIS) as a senior advisor to the Missile Defense Project and has been a frequent contributor on national security matters to Merit Street News. He sits on the advisory board for TCOM and was recently appointed to the board for the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). During the past year, Dan served as a technical advisor and actor in the upcoming movie, “A House of Dynamite.” Dan has a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Benedictine College, and a Bachelor’s Degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2649712 916bc24d-afc7-4140-a6a4-1174174f0e4b 2118 full 4 4 261 261 false Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:29:53 GMT <![CDATA[Dakota Rudesill:  Who Decides War? Law, Power, and the Use of Force Against Iran]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Professor Dakota Rudesill, Esq. examines the legal boundaries that govern the use of military force, with a particular focus on the United States and Iran. Drawing on constitutional law, international law, and decades of historical precedent, Rudesill unpacks who truly holds the authority to take the nation to war—and under what conditions.

The conversation explores the President’s powers of self‑defense, Congress’s constitutional role in declaring war, and how the War Powers Resolution of 1973 has shaped (and complicated) modern U.S. military action. From “operations less than war” to undeclared conflicts and contested legal justifications, Rudesill explains how legal gray areas have expanded over time—and why the rule of law remains essential to maintaining democratic accountability and global stability. This episode offers a clear, rigorous look at how law, power, and nuclear‑era decision‑making intersect in moments of crisis.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2630712 7d1d9592-2f10-428f-85f9-ec3d9e46d30f 2285 full 4 4 260 260 false Tue, 17 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Alireza Nader: Inside Iran’s Military Conflict: Risks, Strategy, and What Comes Next]]> In this episode of Nuclecast, Iran analyst Alireza Nader breaks down the current military conflict involving Iran and what it means for the Middle East and beyond. Drawing on decades of expertise, Nader examines Iran’s strategic military doctrine, including its reliance on drones and missiles, and explains how regional power dynamics are shaping the conflict’s trajectory.

The conversation explores high‑stakes scenarios for Iran’s future—from regime survival to the risks of collapse or civil war—while unpacking the internal pressures facing the Islamic Republic, including public trauma, protests, and economic strain. Nader also addresses the roles of the United States, Israel, and regional actors, and offers a candid assessment of why overthrowing the regime would be extraordinarily difficult.

Throughout the episode, listeners gain insight into Iranian public sentiment, misconceptions about U.S.–Iran relations, and the strategic calculations that will influence how long this conflict may last. This is a clear-eyed discussion of one of the most consequential security challenges facing global stability today.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2610676 36a70462-cf27-4bad-9954-9b32450ee992 2033 full 4 4 259 259 false Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:12:00 GMT <![CDATA[Stacie Pettyjohn: AI Development in Defense and Nuclear Deterrence]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam is joined by Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn, senior fellow and director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security, for a thoughtful discussion on the growing role of artificial intelligence in defense and military operations.

Dr. Pettyjohn explores how AI is increasingly shaping everything from logistics and decision‑making to nuclear command and control, while weighing the potential benefits against the serious risks of integration. The conversation examines AI’s capabilities and limitations, the ethical and strategic challenges it presents, and what its use could mean for nuclear deterrence and autonomous weapons.

She emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation with safety, responsibility, and strategic stability as AI becomes more deeply embedded in modern defense systems.

Stacie Pettyjohn is a senior fellow and director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security. A leading expert on U.S. defense strategy, force planning, airpower, and wargaming, her work focuses on the future of warfare, including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, drones, and nuclear deterrence in a multipolar world. Previously, she served on the Joint Staff, chaired a Defense Department advisory subcommittee on force integration, and spent more than a decade at RAND Corporation leading major studies and defense wargames. Her work has appeared in Foreign Affairs, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and other major outlets. She holds a PhD from the University of Virginia.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2589719 2b300403-5b96-4795-b52a-0593b4b3ea9f 2098 full 4 4 258 258 false Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Derek Williams: Evaluating the Evolving Nuclear Landscape and Global Security]]> Colonel Derek “Kiwi” Williams joins NucleCast for a wide‑ranging discussion on the evolving nuclear landscape and what it means for global security. Together, they examine recent developments in nuclear testing, including China’s reported testing activities and the use of decoupling techniques, and assess their implications for strategic stability.

The conversation also explores the consequences of the expiration of the New START treaty, debating whether the future points toward renewed arms control frameworks or an emerging arms race. Host Adam Lowther and Williams dive into the role of hydro nuclear testing and stockpile stewardship in maintaining confidence in nuclear forces, as well as why a credible nuclear deterrent remains central to national security.

Throughout the episode, they unpack the enduring importance of the nuclear triad, the challenges of nuclear proliferation, and how deterrence strategies must adapt in an increasingly competitive strategic environment.

Colonel Derek “Kiwi” Williams is a strategic planner in the Plans and Policy Directorate at U.S. Strategic Command. A U.S. Air Force Weapons School graduate, he has extensive experience in bomber operations, nuclear planning, and deterrence strategy, including leadership roles at Air Force Global Strike Command, the Air Staff, and as Director of Operations for the 23d Bomb Squadron. He is the founder of the School of Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies, a former Air Force Fellow at Sandia National Laboratories, and a fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies. Colonel Williams holds advanced degrees in defense and strategic studies and aerospace engineering, with additional certifications in nuclear weapons policy, effects, and operations.

Episode Correction: NNSA does Hydrodynamic experiments (weapon representative geometries) LLNL's Contained Firing Facility (CFF).

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2571405 60b9758f-90c0-48a6-9c5f-65747431af4e 2519 full 4 4 257 257 false Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Christopher Stone: Redefining Defense, Homeland Priorities and Global Strategy]]> Join host Adam Lowther and guest Christopher Stone, a senior fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, as they delve into the intricacies of the National Defense Strategy (NDS) on this episode of NucleCast. Explore the critical debate around the perceived shift in American defense priorities, particularly the focus on Homeland Defense and its implications for global strategic dynamics. Christopher Stone offers a compelling argument against the notion of isolationism, emphasizing the enduring importance of strategic encirclement and the evolving geopolitical landscape. This episode provides a deep dive into the strategic considerations shaping U.S. defense policy, with insights into the roles of China, Russia, and other global players.

Christopher Stone is a prominent figure in space policy, currently serving as a Senior Fellow for Space Deterrence at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, where he focuses on research related to space warfare strategies and deterrence, particularly in the context of great power competition; he previously held a position as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy at the Pentagon, giving him significant experience in the field of U.S. space policy development at a high level.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2549252 2fd57d8b-7807-4a7e-89dd-9f8a19e389e1 2153 full 4 4 256 256 false Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Robert Peters: Greenland, Could it Become the Next Flashpoint Between US, Russia, and China?]]> Greenland’s strategic importance is hotter than ever—and the questions about the U.S. desire to secure access aren’t just political posturing. In this eye-opening episode, defense expert Bob Peters from the Heritage Foundation reveals why Greenland is a critical security linchpin for North America, and why fears of U.S. invasion are utterly unfounded.

From Cold War radar stations to today’s race to contain Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic, Bob unpacks the real reasons Greenland matters—its location, resources, and the growing geopolitical contest. You’ll discover how Arctic nations are competing for dominance, why China’s icebreakers signal a serious threat, and how the U.S. plans to boost its defenses without breaking NATO.

We break down the myths surrounding President Trump’s stance on Greenland, revealing that hyperbole and strategic signaling drive much of the chatter. Plus, insights into how Greenland’s potential independence could reshape regional power dynamics and why the U.S. relationship with Denmark remains vital.

If you care about national security, Arctic geopolitics, or the future of NATO, this episode is essential listening. Bob’s straightforward analysis cuts through the noise—arming you with the knowledge to understand why Greenland is much more than a distant ice patch, but a battleground of influence that could define the next decade of global power.

Robert Peters is a Senior Research Fellow for Strategic Deterrence in The Heritage Foundation’s Allison Center for National Security. For many years, Peters served as a Senior Research Fellow at National Defense University’s Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, where he focused on nuclear deterrence issues, countering weapons of mass destruction, and counterproliferation.

In the first Obama Administration, Peters served as the Special Advisor for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he worked on the New START nuclear arms control treaty, the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review, and the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review. In addition, Peters held positions at Northrop Grumman and the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.

A prolific writer, Peters’ published works include examinations of the impact of Chinese nuclear expansion and Russian withdrawal from arms control, the prospect for future arms control, the need for a new nuclear posture review, and the mission to eliminate North Korean weapons of mass destruction.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2533897 34fc4268-7917-4318-b81c-55a216ca4675 1853 full 4 4 255 255 false Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Maj. Gen. Brook Leonard, USAF (Ret): The Hidden Danger of Space Dependency We Still Underestimate]]> Major General Brook Leonard delves into the evolving role of space in military strategy and its implications for global security. The conversations highlight Leonard's experiences in operationalizing space within the U.S. military, emphasizing the transition of space from a supportive to a warfighting domain. Leonard discusses the strategic importance of integrating air and space capabilities, the challenges of operating in a congested space environment, and the necessity of international cooperation to establish norms for space safety and security.

The discussions also explore the strategic mindsets of adversaries like China and Russia, noting their differing approaches to space warfare. Leonard emphasizes the need for the U.S. to adapt its strategies to these threats, highlighting the importance of understanding space as a critical enabler and potential vulnerability. The conversations conclude with Leonard's wishes for greater public awareness of space's importance, improved U.S. strategic innovation, and easier access to space, drawing parallels to historical expansions like the railroads in the American West.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2512335 61aa9504-45aa-4585-9fa7-7d6c95c61cbf 2087 full 4 4 254 254 false Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Ben Zweibelson, PhD: Bad War Stories, Lessons from the Battlefield]]> Dr. Ben Zweibelson, a retired US Army officer and author of "Bad War Stories" delves into the complexities of military planning, particularly in the context of nuclear deterrence and the lessons learned from two decades of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr. Zweibelson discusses how traditional military strategies often fall short in real-world applications, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptability in military doctrine. He shares personal anecdotes from his deployments, highlighting the emotional toll of war and the disconnect between military operations and strategic outcomes.

Dr. Zweibelson's book, "Bad War Stories," serves as a critique of the glorified narratives often portrayed in Hollywood, contrasting them with the harsh realities faced by soldiers. He argues that many military professionals are trapped in outdated thinking, which hinders effective planning and execution. The episode concludes with a discussion on the future of nuclear strategy in light of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, stressing the importance of curiosity and innovation in military institutions.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2482941 56875882-a836-4720-a3b7-d8bc752fc8cb 2242 full 4 4 253 253 false Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. John Copper - Taiwan in Focus: History, Identity, and the Realities of U.S.–China Tensions]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam talks with Professor John Copper, a leading expert on Taiwan, to discuss the complex history and current geopolitical landscape of Taiwan. The conversation explores Taiwan's identity, its relationship with China, and the implications of US-China relations. Professor Copper emphasizes the exaggerated urgency of China's reunification efforts and highlights Taiwan's unique position as a democracy in a region of authoritarianism. The discussion also touches on the historical context of Taiwan's development, the challenges it faces, and the potential paths forward for its future.

Dr. John F. Copper is the Stanley J. Buckman Distinguished Professor of International Studies (emeritus) and author of more than 40 books on Asia and international affairs. His newest book is Taiwan's Presidents: Profiles of the Majestic Six (Routledge, 2024).

00:00 Introduction to Taiwan's Complex History

02:11 Current Geopolitical Tensions and Perspectives

17:07 Historical Context of Taiwan's Identity

26:09 Wishes for Taiwan's Future Relations

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2464915 7ec78387-941e-4164-986e-d657bc26a44e 2563 full 4 4 252 252 false Tue, 20 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Hugh White: Navigating the US-China Rivalry: An Australian Perspective]]> Professor Hugh White from the Australian National University discusses the evolving security landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in light of China's rise as a global power. The conversation explores the implications of the US-China rivalry for Australia, the role of allies, and the necessity of nuclear deterrence in maintaining regional stability. White expresses concern about Australia's reliance on the US and the need for a more self-reliant defense strategy as the geopolitical dynamics shift. The discussion culminates in White's wishes for clearer strategic understanding and cooperation among nations in addressing the challenges posed by China.

Hugh White AO is Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University. His work focuses primarily on Australian strategic and defence policy, Asia-Pacific security issues, and global strategic affairs especially as they influence Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

He has served as an intelligence analyst with the Office of National Assessments, as a journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald, as a senior adviser on the staffs of Defence Minister Kim Beazley and Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and as a senior official in the Department of Defence, where from 1995 to 2000 he was Deputy Secretary for Strategy and Intelligence, and as the first Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

In the 1970s he studied philosophy at Melbourne and Oxford Universities. He was the principal author of Australia’s 2000 Defence White Paper.

His major publications include Power Shift: Australia’s future between Washington and Beijing, [2010], The China Choice: Why America should share power, [2012], Without America: Australia’s future in the New Asia [2017], and How to defend Australia [2019]

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Australian Security Perspectives

02:14 The Rise of China and Its Implications

05:45 Australia's Strategic Dilemmas

09:28 Military Dynamics in the US-China Rivalry

13:44 The Role of Allies in Regional Security

19:36 China's Global Ambitions and Regional Responses

24:07 Nuclear Deterrence in a Changing Landscape

29:28 Wishes for Future Strategic Clarity

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2453634 e004e103-90f3-42bd-9c8e-db06a139219f 2391 full 4 4 251 251 false Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:11:43 GMT <![CDATA[Byron Ristvet: Inside Nuclear Testing: History, Strategy, and Readiness (Part 2)]]> This is part two of a discussion featuring Dr. Byron Ristvet. The episode delves into the intricacies of nuclear testing, covering topics such as the history and types of nuclear tests conducted by the United States, Russia, and China. Byron shares insights into the technical and strategic aspects of nuclear testing, including the development and safety testing of nuclear weapons, the evolution of testing methods, and the challenges faced in maintaining nuclear readiness. The conversation also touches on the importance of deterrence and the current state of nuclear testing infrastructure.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2429394 a5f9546d-8594-4ff0-8fe0-ae3324919308 3468 full 4 4 250 250 false Tue, 06 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Byron Ristvet: Inside Nuclear Testing, History, Readiness, and Policy Implications (Part 1)]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam talks with Dr. Byron Ristvet to discuss the complexities of nuclear testing, its historical context, and the current state of nuclear readiness. They delve into the types of nuclear tests, the role of various laboratories, and the controversial history surrounding Rocky Flats. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding nuclear policy and the implications of testing in today's geopolitical landscape.

Currently, Dr, Ristvet is a consultant to Sandia National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for studies on nuclear test detection, and through Keystone International and MSTS, a consultant to LANL, DoE IN-1 and NNSA/NFO. He is a Senior Mentor in Sandia’s Weapons Intern and Professional Development programs, and low yield nuclear monitoring research.

Prior to his semi-retirement in February 2017, Dr. Ristvet was a senior subject matter expert (SME) to DTRA’s Research and Development Directorate in the areas of nuclear and conventional weapons effects and testing, hard and deeply-buried-target characterization and defeat, counter-terrorism, cooperative threat reduction, knowledge preservation, nuclear test readiness, and to the Defense Threat Reduction Information Analysis Center. Prior to the underground nuclear testing (UGT) moratorium in 1992, he was the UGT containment scientist for the Defense Nuclear Agency. Based on his experience, he is an advisor to the U.S. intelligence community on foreign nuclear programs.

Dr. Ristvet had a key role in DoD’s Cooperative Threat Reduction efforts with the Russian Federation nuclear laboratories and the Kazakhstan National Nuclear Center. He is currently an Octant Associates consultant for DTRA nuclear proliferation prevention activities at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nuclear Testing and Its Importance

01:20 Understanding Nuclear Testing: Types and History

05:38 Current State of Nuclear Testing and Readiness

09:05 The Role of Laboratories in Nuclear Weapons Development

13:34 Debunking Myths: The Rocky Flats Controversy

18:27 Types of Nuclear Testing Conducted

19:54 Key Takeaways and Future Considerations

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2387955 7622b173-96e6-4e3d-a8ba-e8c96dffce63 2109 full 3 3 249 249 false Tue, 16 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Ben Souther: Accelerating What Matters: Urgency, Accountability, and Large‑Scale Delivery]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Ben Souther discusses the complexities of managing data in large projects, particularly focusing on the requirements from various stakeholders, including government regulations and internal procedures. He emphasizes the importance of navigating through extensive data to ensure successful project execution.

Ben Souther is the general manager of the Environmental and Security business line of Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security, and Environmental global business unit. Ben is an accomplished professional with more than 20 years of extensive experience and knowledge in automation, engineering, construction, delivery, and project management positions for Bechtel. His current portfolio includes the oversight of multiple government projects, operating sites, and national laboratories focused on nuclear security and nuclear waste management for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ben joined Bechtel on the Waste Treatment Plant project in 2002 supporting project automation efforts and in 2006 he began working on the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant project serving in various roles in project controls and construction. Other previous senior leadership roles include deputy project manager, business manager, and vice president of the Bechtel LLC working for the U.S. Army on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands in 2011. He served as executive assistant to the president of NS&E from 2013 to 2015 and then went on to become an M&BD manager for the Defense & Security business line.

He received his bachelor’s in business administration (Cum Laude) (Management Information Systems) from Washington State University and is PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) certified.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2373484 382479f6-e166-474a-bbf4-2ea858809490 1990 full 3 3 248 248 false Tue, 09 Dec 2025 05:00:35 GMT <![CDATA[Rob Kittinger: Human Factors in Nuclear Safety]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Rob Kittinger, a seasoned expert from Sandia National Labs. They delve into the critical role of human factors in nuclear safety and explore the intriguing dynamics of the AI race between the US and China. From the potential pitfalls of human error to the strategic implications of AI advancements, this episode offers a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping our nuclear future.

"Other examples of color vision affecting job safety can be found here: https://waggonerdiagnostics.com/pages/law-enforcement "

Robert Kittinger, Ph.D. is a Senior Fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies (NIDS). He spent nearly 10 years at Sandia National Laboratories, culminating in the Nuclear Threat Science department and working in Nuclear Emergency Support and Counterterrorism & Counter-Proliferation (CTCP). During his time at Sandia, he was also a 2017 graduate of the prestigious Weapon Intern Program (WIP).

Before joining Sandia, Dr. Kittinger spent over five years as a civilian in the U.S. Navy and was part of a five-person tech startup, BookLamp, which was acquired by Apple in 2013. Following his tenure at Sandia, he served as a senior researcher at Amazon and currently holds the role of Chief Research Officer at a MedTech company.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2354528 2d4d551d-b3e7-4c9a-84d9-4c057f65ff2f 2063 full 3 3 247 247 false Tue, 02 Dec 2025 05:00:19 GMT <![CDATA[Curtis McGiffin: Shaping the Age of Techno-Strategic Power]]> Adam sits down with Curtis McGiffin—strategist, educator, and co-author—to explore his groundbreaking argument for redefining national instruments of power. Curtis introduces DIMET, adding “Technology” to the traditional DIME framework, and explains why high-tech capabilities have become a standalone measure of national strength. The discussion dives into how technological innovation is reshaping deterrence, influencing global power dynamics, and driving the future of warfare. Plus, Curtis shares insights from the National Institute for Deterrence Studies’ proposed Nuclear Posture Review, offering bold recommendations for strengthening U.S. nuclear deterrence in an era of rapid change.

Link to Paper: Curtis McGiffin, DIMET: Shaping the Age of “Techno-Strategic” Power, No. 637, September 22, 2025 – Nipp

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2343605 a2965d99-f672-4ffd-bb24-ad60b7f02ac4 2382 full 3 3 246 246 false Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:00:13 GMT <![CDATA[Brian Groft: Nuclear Ops, The A&AS Mission and DTRA’s Evolving Role]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Brian Groft, a senior leader at Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA), to discuss the A&AS mission and its significance in supporting the Department of Defense. Groft shares insights on the role of A&AS contractors, the importance of DTRA in nuclear operations, and the differences between various types of contracting. They also discuss the future of DTRA, the costs associated with government versus contractor roles, and the need for improved collaboration between contractors and government agencies.

Brian Groft possesses 16 years of experience leading teams of scientists and engineers providing technical advisory services to government customers responsible for challenging homeland security and national defense missions. He serves as the Strategic Growth Manager for SPA which includes providing executive leadership in the defense and homeland security industry with emphasis in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive defense (CBRNE), Counter WMD, System Engineering, and R&D fields.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2329632 62cc3a1e-f429-4af2-a678-821151865cb3 2147 full 3 3 245 245 false Tue, 18 Nov 2025 05:00:13 GMT <![CDATA[Brent Sadler: Reviving American Sea Power, Maritime Strategy and National Security]]> In this conversation, Brent Sadler discusses the critical importance of maritime issues in relation to national security and economic stability. He emphasizes the need for a dedicated maritime advisor to the president and highlights the current gaps in leadership within the Navy's shipbuilding sector. The conversation underscores the necessity of interagency coordination to ensure timely delivery of warships and the overall revival of American maritime strength.

Brent Sadler joined Heritage Foundation after a 26-year Navy career with numerous operational tours on nuclear powered submarines, personal staffs of senior Defense Department leaders, and as a military diplomat in Asia. As a Senior Research Fellow, Brent’s focus is on maritime security and the technologies shaping our future maritime forces, especially the Navy.

Brent is a 1994 graduate with honors of the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Systems Engineering (robotics) and a minor in Japanese. As a 2004 Olmsted Scholar in Tokyo, Japan, he studied at Keio University, Jochi University and the United Nations University. He has a master of arts from Jochi University and master of science from National War College, where he graduated with distinction in 2011 and received several writing and research awards.

In 2011, he established the Navy Asia Pacific Advisory Group (NAPAG), providing regionally informed advice directly to Chief of Naval Operations’ (CNO). He again served on the CNO’s personal staff in 2015-2016, playing a key role in developing the Defense Department’s Third Offset.

At Pacific Command from 2012-2015, he held numerous key positions. As lead for Maritime Strategy and Policy, he incorporated all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) into the first regional maritime domain awareness forum and was instrumental in the eventual passage of the $500 million-dollar Maritime Security Initiative. As Special Advisor on Japan, and a Council of Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow in Tokyo, he played a key role in revising the U.S. and Japan Defense Guidelines. As Deputy Director Strategic Synchronization Group, he oversaw a think-tank like body of over 30 advisors and analysts. Brent led the Commander’s Rebalance Task Force coordinating execution of the President’s Defense Strategic Guidance—Rebalance to the Asia-Pacific resulting in over $12 billion USD of additional monies budgeted in fiscal years 2013 through 2015 during a time of fiscal austerity.

Following his final tour on CNO’s staff, Brent returned to Asia as Senior Defense Official, Defense and Naval Attaché in Malaysia. During his tenure he played a key role in coordinating responses to the USS McCain collision in August 2017, opened several politically sensitive ports and airfields to U.S. forces, oversaw unprecedented expansion of U.S. military relations, and steadied relations during the historic May 2018 national elections ushering in an opposition party for the first time since independence.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2318901 d866b5bd-95e2-4c57-80a5-54dd250400e6 2021 full 3 3 244 244 false Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:00:21 GMT <![CDATA[Kyle Balzer / Bob Peters: Reimagining the Sentinel ICBM: A Mobile Future]]> Adam interviews Dr. Kyle Balzer and Bob Peters on their recent article in Breaking Defense. They discuss the future of the Sentinel ICBM program, particularly the potential for mobile basing options. They explore the cost implications, strategic effectiveness, and the need for political engagement to advocate for a more robust nuclear deterrent. The conversation emphasizes the importance of adapting to a changing threat environment, particularly with the rise of peer competitors like China, and the necessity of public discourse on nuclear strategy.

Kyle Balzer is a Jeane Kirkpatrick Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he specializes in US nuclear strategy and policy. He is currently working on a book project, The Revivalist: James R. Schlesinger and the Rebirth of Cold War U.S. Nuclear Strategy. It examines the origins of diagnostic net assessment and competitive nuclear strategies. His work has been published in Breaking Defense, National Review Online, The Hill, The National Interest, and War on the Rocks.

Robert J. Peters is Chief of the Strategic Integration Directorate within the Strategic Trends and Effects Department (STED) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). He leads efforts to generate actionable insights on counter-WMD and emerging threats, assess agency effectiveness, and foster strategic dialogues with allies through research and exercises.

Previously, Peters was a Senior Research Fellow at the National Defense University’s Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction. He also served as Special Assistant to the DASD for Countering WMD at the Office of the Secretary of Defense-Policy, and held roles at Northrop Grumman and the Potomac Institute.

He holds an MA in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and a BA in Political Science and History from Miami University. His published work includes articles in Strategic Studies Quarterly, 38 North, and the Nonproliferation Review.

Article Link: Forge ahead with the Sentinel ICBM, but consider making it mobile - Breaking Defense

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2303876 a260f937-cbd9-48fd-b5bf-565995b758c3 1971 full 3 3 243 243 false Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:05:06 GMT <![CDATA[Brian Zieroth: Building the Future: UPF's Role in National Security]]> Join us for an insightful conversation with Brian Zieroth, Senior Program Manager at the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) at Y-12. Discover the pivotal role UPF plays in supporting the nation's nuclear deterrent and global security missions. Brian shares the challenges and triumphs of modernizing uranium processing capabilities, emphasizing the importance of safety and innovation. With construction set to complete in 2027, UPF is poised to be a cornerstone of national security infrastructure. Don't miss this deep dive into a project that ensures our strategic deterrent remains robust and reliable.

Brian is the senior project manager for the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a plant designed to replace older, outdated facilities and meet modern safety and environmental standards. He is responsible for all engineering, procurement, construction, and startup activities. He has nearly 30 years’ experience with Bechtel, and is a Bechtel Principal Vice President. Brian brings diverse industry experience to his leadership role for the UPF project.

He has held project management roles of increasing responsibility at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) at the Hanford site, the Chemistry and Metallurgy Replacement Project (CMRR) at Los Alamos National Laboratory, UPF, and as Director for Enterprise Line-Item Projects at Consolidated Nuclear Security, where he provided oversight for the Y-12 site in Oak Ridge and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, TX. In 2022, he became area project manager for the main processing building at UPF, before being named to his current role in 2024.

He joined Bechtel in 1997 in the Information Systems and Technology group for Bechtel Enterprises. In 2003, he became deputy IS&T manager on the Iraq reconstruction project in Baghdad. In 2006, he moved to the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project in Idaho. He was then named plant automation manager at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in 2010 and chief information officer at WTP in 2012.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2290730 a23e3171-ea77-4eec-84cd-a41e05315e6a 1928 full 3 3 242 242 false Tue, 28 Oct 2025 04:01:05 GMT <![CDATA[Michaela Dodge: Russia's War; Understanding the Threat]]> Dr. Michaela Dodge discusses the ongoing conflict between Russia and the West, emphasizing the need for the United States to recognize and respond to Russia's aggressive actions. The conversation explores the historical context of Russia's imperial ambitions, the challenges of mobilizing public support for defense spending, and the importance of education in fostering informed citizens. Dodge argues that the U.S. must take adversarial threats seriously and prepare accordingly to ensure national security and global stability.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2277759 dd927d76-6553-427e-8961-dfe4c17d20ca 2191 full 3 3 241 241 false Tue, 21 Oct 2025 04:00:22 GMT <![CDATA[Maj. Gen. Colin Connor: Inside the Sentinel ICBM Program]]> Adam welcomes Major General Colin Connor where he focuses on the modernization of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) system, specifically the Sentinel ICBM. Major General Connor, who leads the modernization efforts at Air Force Global Strike Command, shares insights into the challenges and progress of the Sentinel program. The conversation covers the importance of maintaining the Minuteman 3 system until Sentinel is fully operational, the complexities of modernizing infrastructure, and the critical role of collaboration with industry partners. The episode emphasizes the strategic significance of ICBMs in national security and the ongoing efforts to ensure the new system meets future needs.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2266029 8c9a9ff6-990f-4ced-b81d-09beb5389ca5 2127 full 3 3 240 240 false Tue, 14 Oct 2025 04:00:35 GMT <![CDATA[Tony Peurrung: AI and National Security, A New Frontier]]> Dr. Tony Peurrung, a senior leader in data science, explores the evolution and significance of data science, particularly in the context of national security. He discusses the historical development of data science, its applications in various fields, and the challenges faced in implementing data-driven solutions. The conversation also touches on the competitive landscape of data science between the U.S. and its adversaries, emphasizing the need for collaboration and innovation to harness the full potential of data science in addressing national security challenges.

Dr. Peurrung is recently retired after a 31-year career at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory during which he made varied contributions as leader, scientist, and technology developer. His culminating executive leadership roles held between 2010 and 2024 included Associate Laboratory Director for National Security, Chief Research Officer, and Deputy Laboratory Director for Science and Technology.

In his role as Deputy Director for Science and Technology, Dr. Peurrung stewarded PNNL's science and technology capabilities to address critical challenges in science, energy, the environment, and national security. He also played a leading role in institutional strategy development, managed PNNL's internal investment portfolio, and held responsibility for technology commercialization activities. As Associate Laboratory Director he was responsible for all aspects of the laboratory’s national security mission portfolio including strategy development, leadership development, programmatic execution, and financial management. Under his leadership, PNNL delivered impactful science and technology to sponsors in the Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and other mission sponsors.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2254326 334ba35f-6370-4e5c-84db-a67ebf488ecc 2432 full 3 3 239 239 false Tue, 07 Oct 2025 04:00:25 GMT <![CDATA[Gordon Chang: China's Project to Destroy America]]> Gordon Chang discusses the significant threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party under Xi Jinping. They explore China's imperial ambitions, the mindset of its leadership, the implications for Taiwan, and the potential for conflict. Gordon also delves into China's nuclear ambitions and the ongoing warfare through means such as fentanyl trafficking, emphasizing the need for Americans to recognize and respond to these threats.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2239993 c5909aee-3b2b-49b0-820b-d27ab507a8be 2137 full 3 3 238 238 false Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:00:33 GMT <![CDATA[Tristan Tang: Understanding Taiwan's Security Dilemma]]> Tristan Tang discusses Taiwan's security dilemma in the face of increasing threats from China. The conversation explores the Taiwanese perspective on military preparedness, defense spending, and the expectations of U.S. support in the event of a conflict. Tristan shares insights on the societal attitudes towards the threat of invasion, the military strategies being employed, and the potential consequences of a Chinese takeover. The discussion concludes with Tristan's wishes for Taiwan's future, emphasizing the need for peace, political harmony, and strong U.S. military presence in the region.

K. Tristan Tang is an associate fellow at the Research Project on China’s Defense Affairs, Secure Taiwan Associate Corporation, and a member of the Pacific Forum’s Young Leaders Program. His research focuses on China’s defense industry and the People’s Liberation Army. His work has appeared in the U.S. Naval War College’s CMSI Note, U.S. Air University’s Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, the Jamestown Foundation’s China Brief, the Pacific Forum’s PacNet, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s The Strategist, and The Diplomat. He frequently posts overview maps of PLA activities around Taiwan and across the Pacific on X (@KTristanTang) and LinkedIn. He is also the founder of KTT’s wargame, a popular science simulation of cross-strait conflict scenarios designed for non-military experts and the general public.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2225083 b7d117b1-97c8-4446-bd50-f27d3ab03653 2140 full 3 3 237 237 false Tue, 23 Sep 2025 04:00:33 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Rich Tighe: Exploring Y-12, The Heart of Nuclear Security]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Dr. Rich Tighe, the president and CEO of Consolidated Nuclear Security, discussing the current operations and future outlook of the Y-12 National Security Complex. Rich explains the complex's historical significance, its current missions, and the challenges it faces in workforce recruitment and safety. The conversation also touches on modernization efforts, collaboration with design agencies, and the importance of community support. Rich shares his aspirations for the future, including the need for continued growth and innovation in nuclear security.

Richard (Rich) Tighe is president and chief executive officer of Consolidated Nuclear Security, the Bechtel led management and operating contractor for the Y 12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with a workforce of approximately 9,500. Tighe (pronounced “tie”) joined CNS in September 2022, and led the company through the separation of the Pantex Plant from CNS’s management and operating contract.

Before the separation, Tighe led a combined 13,500 employees through significant growth and record performance. As the National Nuclear Security Administration mission and project scope grew at the sites, CNS met all deliverables to the military under Tighe’s leadership. Additionally, during his tenure, CNS added more than 1,500 team members, including engineers, scientists, professional staff, and craft workers, and both sites improved safety performance, achieving more than 12.6 million consecutive hours without a lost time injury. Under Tighe’s leadership, CNS has been awarded a 2-year contract extension at Y-12.

Before joining CNS, Tighe served for nearly 4 years as president and general manager of National Aerospace Solutions (NAS), the Bechtel-led test operations and sustainment contractor for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base near Tullahoma,

Tennessee. He also was manager of strategy, marketing, and business development for Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security, and Environmental global business unit, an $8 billion business. He served as the NS&E representative to the Bechtel Group Marketing and Business Development Committee and represented Bechtel on the board of managers for NAS and Kwajalein Range Services.

Tighe joined Bechtel in 2006 as marketing and business development manager; he was elected principal vice president in 2016 and senior vice president in 2023. Before his service with Bechtel, Tighe worked for Lockheed Martin at the Nevada Test Site for more than a decade, holding several scientific and management posts and ultimately advancing to assistant general manager for high-hazard test and evaluation.

Tighe was a postdoctoral fellow in the Nuclear Science Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California.

He earned a Ph.D. in experimental nuclear physics from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, and a B.S. in physics from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2199539 5a44a3dd-b492-4e3c-9399-f4f994e4b481 2041 full 3 3 236 236 false Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:00:38 GMT <![CDATA[General Tom Bussiere: Modernizing the Nuclear Triad]]> General Tom Bussiere, the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, discusses the modernization of the nuclear triad, including the challenges and progress of the Sentinel system, updates on the B-21 program, and the importance of long-range stand-off capabilities. He emphasizes the need for support and understanding of the nuclear enterprise and shares insights on recent operations and future goals. Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere is Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command and Commander, Air Forces Strategic - Air, U.S. Strategic Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. AFGSC provides strategic deterrence, global strike capability, and combat support to USSTRATCOM and other geographic combatant commands. The command is comprised of more than 33,700 professionals operating at two numbered air forces; 12 active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve wings; and the Joint Global Strike Operations Center. Weapons systems assigned to AFGSC include all U.S. Air Force intercontinental ballistic missiles and bomber aircraft, UH-1N helicopters, E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft, and the U.S. Air Force NC3 weapons system.

Gen. Bussiere is a 1985 distinguished graduate of Air Force ROTC from Norwich University. He has held a variety of flying, staff and command assignments including the Deputy Director for Nuclear, Homeland Defense and Current Operations, Joint Staff; Inspector General, Headquarters, AFGSC; Advanced Programs Division, Headquarters, Air Combat Command and duty as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Multi-National Force-Iraq, Camp Victory, Baghdad. He commanded the 325th Bomb Squadron, 13th Bomb Squadron, 509th Operations Group and the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. He also served as the Commander, Alaskan Command, United States Northern Command; Commander, Eleventh Air Force, Pacific Air Forces; and Commander, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Commander, Eighth Air Force; Commander, Joint-Global Strike Operations Center, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and Commander, Joint Functional Component for Global Strike; Commander, Task Force 204, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Gen. Bussiere is a graduate of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies and the U.S. Army War College Advanced Strategic Arts Program. Prior to his current position, Gen. Bussiere served as Deputy Commander, USSTRATCOM.

Gen. Bussiere is a command pilot with more than 3,400 hours in the T-38 Talon, F-15C Eagle, B-2A Spirit, B-1B Lancer and F-22 Raptor. He led F-15C combat missions during operations Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior and B-2 combat missions during operations Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2196260 7522f92d-192b-485d-b3bc-da76f5af7676 2103 full 3 3 235 235 false Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:39 GMT <![CDATA[Gibum Kim - Navigating South Korean Politics: A New Era]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Gibum Kim from the Korean Institute for Defense Analysis to discuss the recent political changes in South Korea, particularly the impact of the new Democratic Party leadership on foreign policy, especially regarding North Korea and the US-South Korea alliance. They explore the philosophical differences between the political parties regarding denuclearization, the future of the US-South Korea alliance, and the challenges posed by China. The conversation concludes with Gi-bum's wishes for the future of South Korea's security and international relations.

Gibum KIM is an associate research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA). He leads the Current Issues Team under the Future Strategy Office. Before becoming the Team Lead, his research focused on issues pertaining to the ROK-U.S. alliance, U.S. nuclear strategy and extended deterrence, and defense space strategy at the Center for Security and Strategy. He was formerly a research associate at both the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Center for Foreign Policy and National Security of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies (AIPS) in Seoul. Mr. Kim was a member of the Pacific Forum Young Leaders Program from 2014 to 2019. He earned both an MA and BA in Political Science at the College of Political Science and Economics, Korea University, and is pursuing his doctoral degree at his alma mater. His research interests include issues related to nuclear strategy, nonproliferation, alliance politics, defense space strategy, and multilateral security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2193737 786b0bdd-b97a-468b-81bc-a7e133f788e2 2511 full 3 3 234 234 false Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:00:37 GMT <![CDATA[Matthew Loh: The United States' Relationship with Singapore and China]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam speaks with Matthew Loh, a defense reporter from Singapore, about the complex geopolitical landscape in Southeast Asia, particularly regarding Singapore's relationship with China and the United States. Loh provides insights into Singapore's unique position as a small but strategically important nation, navigating its ties with major powers while maintaining a neutral stance. The conversation explores Singapore's military reliance on the US, the potential risks of conflict over Taiwan, and the implications of China's ambitions in the region. Loh also shares his wishes for Singapore's future, emphasizing the need for public education on geopolitics and the importance of stability in a rapidly changing world.

Matthew Loh is a senior reporter for Business Insider's Singapore bureau. He primarily covers defense in Asia and how innovation is shaping the war in Ukraine. A Singaporean citizen, he spent eight years in China between 2008 and 2014.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2181135 69a3985f-4767-43c5-a721-07dbac8e2e15 1928 full 3 3 233 233 false Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:48 GMT <![CDATA[Brent Sadler: Shipbuilding and China's Naval Expansion]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Brent Sadler discusses the current state of the U.S. Navy, focusing on shipbuilding challenges, the need for increased capacity, and the implications of China's naval expansion. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration with allies, the role of government in revitalizing the shipbuilding industry, and the strengths and weaknesses of both the U.S. and Chinese naval forces. The conversation emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues to ensure U.S. maritime readiness in the face of potential conflicts.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2171513 e0f49fb7-3330-4820-8979-2a475451ff86 2084 full 3 3 232 232 false Tue, 19 Aug 2025 04:00:31 GMT <![CDATA[Michael Casey: Understanding China's Nuclear Command and Control]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Michael Casey, a former DIA analyst, about the modernization of China's military, particularly its command-and-control systems and nuclear strategy. They discuss the evolution of China's military capabilities, the challenges it faces in integrating new technologies, and the implications of its ambitions for global dominance. The conversation also touches on the potential risks of AI in military applications and the need for greater focus on C4ISR issues in defense analysis.

Michael Casey is a defense technology consultant and the author of the 'Orders and Observations' Substack, where he provides in-depth analysis of the Chinese military. He previously served for eight years as a Defense Intelligence Agency intelligence officer, focusing on PLA C4ISR, space systems, and emerging technologies. He is a specialist in Mandarin-language open-source intelligence and has briefed senior leaders across the Department of Defense and the U.S. government on Chinese military modernization.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Michael Casey and C4ISR

02:04 China's Military Modernization and Command Control

07:30 Challenges in Chinese Nuclear Command and Control

14:48 Shifts in China's Nuclear Strategy

18:56 China's Global Ambitions and Strategic Goals

21:25 Potential Challenges and Internal Dynamics

27:03 Wishes for the Future of Global Security

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2160142 06710e14-3b66-4814-874f-979c2ef7491a 2177 full 3 3 231 231 false Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:00:37 GMT <![CDATA[Brig. Gen. (Ret) Paul Tibbets IV: The Legacy of Hiroshima]]> In this Legacy Series episode of NucleCast, Adam speaks with General Paul Tibbets IV, the grandson of the pilot who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. They discuss the historical significance of the event, the life and legacy of General Tibbets, the preparation and execution of the mission, and the impact of nuclear weapons on warfare. The conversation also touches on the importance of educating future generations about World War II and the necessity of a strong nuclear deterrent.

Paul W. Tibbets IV received his commission through the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989. Following graduation, he served in a variety of operational assignments as a B-1 and B-2 pilot. The general commanded the 393rd Bomb Squadron and 509th Bomb Wing, both commanded by his grandfather during World War II. He flew combat missions in support of operations in Southwest Asia, the Balkans and Afghanistan and was awarded the Bronze Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. Paul retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Brigadier General with more than 4,000 flying hours after nearly 30 years of service.

Paul is currently the President and Owner of Strike Advanced Solutions, LLC, as an Independent Consultant. He also works for KBR Corporation as a Senior Manager and Portfolio Lead for Global Strike, based at Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, LA.

Additionally, Paul is a First Officer for FedEx Express, flying the B-777.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Legacy of Hiroshima

02:34 The Life and Legacy of General Paul Tibbets

05:37 The Preparation for the Mission

08:15 Challenges and Innovations in Training

11:14 The Day of the Mission

13:51 The Execution of the Bombing

16:36 Reflections on the Aftermath

19:40 The Second Bombing Mission

22:16 The Impact of Nuclear Weapons on Warfare

24:56 Final Thoughts and Wishes for the Future

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2150120 cfe4d1e6-d066-4be8-942f-cbf57d8051a5 3898 full 3 3 230 230 false Tue, 05 Aug 2025 05:26:32 GMT <![CDATA[Pranay Vaddi: Inside the National Security Council, Policy and Arms Control]]> In this episode, Adam interviews Pranay Vaddi, who shares his experiences working at the National Security Council (NSC) and his insights into nuclear policy and arms control. Vaddi discusses the daily operations at the NSC, the challenges of elevating nuclear issues within the government, and the importance of collaboration among various agencies. He also reflects on the evolution of the NSC, the dynamics of working within the bureaucracy, and the demanding nature of the job. Vaddi emphasizes the need for future leaders to engage in discussions and share their ideas to address pressing national security challenges.

Pranay Vaddi is currently a Senior Nuclear Fellow in the Center for Nuclear Security Policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From May 2022 to January 2025, he served as Special Assistant to President Biden and Senior Director for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation at the National Security Council. Prior to this, he served as a senior advisor in the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance at the Department of State, where coordinated the Department’s inputs for the Biden Nuclear Posture Review. Previously, he was a fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where his research focused on U.S. nuclear posture, arms control policy, and Congress' role in arms control. He served for several years at the U.S. Department of State coordinating policy on the New START and INF treaties, and joined numerous arms control delegations. He has testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and before the congressional U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2139813 efefaaca-f9f1-4995-a8e9-cd0ed30eaaba 2424 full 3 3 229 229 false Tue, 29 Jul 2025 04:00:34 GMT <![CDATA[Paul Amato: The Future of Nuclear Strategy]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam engages with Paul Amato, a seasoned expert in nuclear deterrence policy. They discuss the evolving landscape of nuclear strategy, the importance of education and leadership in nuclear discussions, and the challenges faced in communicating the significance of nuclear deterrence. Amato emphasizes the need for modernization of nuclear forces and the necessity of understanding the risks associated with nuclear escalation. The conversation also touches on the differences in nuclear strategy between Europe and the Pacific, and the importance of providing flexible options for national leadership in the face of nuclear threats.

Mr. Amato served as Director for Nuclear Deterrence Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (2015–March 2025), leading a team responsible for U.S. nuclear strategy, force posture, modernization, arms control, and allied engagement. He was the principal author of the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review and led development of classified guidance for the President and Secretary of Defense. Earlier, he focused on NATO nuclear policy and extended deterrence with South Korea, and represented OSD in arms control talks with Russia and China. He previously served as Pakistan Country Director, deploying to Afghanistan and the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. A retired Marine Corps Colonel with 28 years of service and three combat tours, Mr. Amato also practiced law for 12 years. He holds a BA from Franklin & Marshall and a JD from the University of Pittsburgh.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2121748 8b0a1298-7113-44e8-8dd7-a8d4e9b7e2ce 2341 full 3 3 228 228 false Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:45 GMT <![CDATA[Olena Kryzhanivska: Analyzing War In Ukraine]]> In this compelling episode of NucleCast, Olena Kryzhanivska, a Ukrainian policy analyst and senior editor at the NATO Association of Canada explores the ongoing war in Ukraine, offering a deeply informed and personal perspective on the conflict’s origins, evolution, and global implications.

Olena traces the roots of the war back through centuries of Russian imperialism, Soviet oppression, and the 2014 annexation of Crimea. She explains how the full-scale invasion in 2022 was not a sudden act but a continuation of long-standing Russian ambitions. The conversation delves into the psychological and societal divides between Ukrainians and Russians, the resilience of Ukrainian civil society, and the strategic miscalculations made by the Kremlin.

The discussion also covers:

  • The role of Western support, particularly from the U.S., and the impact of political shifts on military aid.
  • The human toll of the war, including the trauma endured by civilians and the challenges of military recruitment.
  • Russia’s nuclear rhetoric and its implications for NATO and global security.
  • Olena’s three heartfelt wishes for Ukraine’s future: sustained U.S. support, greater global recognition of the Russian threat, and the restoration of Ukraine’s full sovereignty.

This episode offers a sobering yet hopeful look at Ukraine’s struggle for freedom and the broader stakes for the international community.

Olena Kryzhanivska is a Ukrainian policy analyst and senior editor at the NATO Association of Canada. She has provided expert analysis for the Norwegian Embassy in Turkey and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Currently, she authors the weekly newsletters Ukraine’s Arms Monitor, focusing on weapons transfers, military cooperation, defense production, and drone warfare in the context of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2112340 2fa55dad-83a4-4342-8402-a335c48fa1d9 2545 full 3 3 227 227 false Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:00:09 GMT <![CDATA[Dena Volovar: Powering National Security; Bechtel’s Role in Nuclear Innovation]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther speaks with Dena Volovar, president of Bechtel's Nuclear Security and Environment Global Business Unit. They discuss Bechtel's extensive role in national security, particularly in managing operations at NNSA labs, and the company's commitment to nuclear power as a sustainable energy solution. Dena shares insights on the challenges faced in nuclear facility management, the transition from private to public sector projects, and the future of nuclear engineering careers. The conversation highlights the importance of innovation and collaboration in the nuclear industry.

Dena Volovar is President of Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security & Environmental (NS&E) global business unit. She has more than 26 years

of experience in project management, operations, business development, and engineering. Her current portfolio includes the oversight of U.S. and allied government projects and nuclear power projects with missions focused on ensuring the world is cleaner, safer and more secure.

Bechtel’s NS&E global business unit encompasses all the company’s government contracts including work for the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Energy, and NASA, as well as nuclear power projects worldwide.

Prior to her current role, Dena served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of NS&E’s Environmental and Security business line. She managed oversight of government projects, operating sites, and national laboratories focused on nuclear security and nuclear waste

management for the U.S. Department of Energy. Previously, Dena served as the Manager of Functions for NS&E and was responsible for all of the people, processes, and execution in the areas of engineering, procurement, construction, startup and operations as well as their supporting functions. Dena has held leadership roles on a variety of projects, including project director of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Uranium Processing Facility project, a multi-billion-dollar complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee for processing highly enriched uranium for U.S. nuclear defense and naval nuclear propulsion. She also served as project manager of the Sabine Pass Liquified Natural Gas facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana and operations manager for all of Bechtel’s nuclear operating plant services.

Dena was elected a Bechtel senior vice president in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Maryland and is a Project Management Professional. She is the chair of the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and an executive committee board member of the Nuclear Energy Institute.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2102557 08b23fa4-9e29-4610-9d4d-474f2b45f666 2089 full 3 3 226 226 false Tue, 08 Jul 2025 04:01:06 GMT <![CDATA[James Dawkins: Inside Savannah River; Tritium, Pits, and the Future of U.S. Nuclear Readiness]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther welcomes retired Lieutenant General Jim Dawkins, now Executive Vice President and COO of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. Together, they explore the pivotal role of the Savannah River Site in America’s nuclear enterprise—from its origins in the Manhattan Project to its current missions in tritium production and plutonium pit manufacturing.

Dawkins shares insights into the site's transformation from a Cold War-era bomb plant to a modern hub for national security and environmental stewardship. He breaks down the complexities of repurposing the MOX facility into the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF), the only U.S. site slated to produce over 50 plutonium pits per year. The conversation also dives into the challenges of maintaining the nation’s sole tritium facility, the importance of skilled trades, and the need for sustained congressional support.

James (Jim) Dawkins is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (SRNS). He is responsible for safe execution of all management and operating functions for National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management Operations at the DOE’s Savannah River Site, including the Site’s tritium operations, the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility, the Site’s nuclear material operations, and landlord services.

Before joining SRNS, he served as the Vice President of Nuclear Operations at HII’s Nuclear and Environmental Services Group where he provided guidance, direction and support to HII’s management and operations project teams at NNSA national laboratories and DOE legacy cleanup sites. He also served on several NNSA laboratory advisory committees and boards. Dawkins served in the Air Force for 34 years in a variety of operational and executive staff assignments, retiring as a Lieutenant General. He was an Air Force pilot with combat missions

in fighter, reconnaissance and bomber aircraft. His last duty assignment was as lead of the Air Force’s nuclear weapons enterprise as the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration (AF/A10). During this assignment, he collaborated closely with NNSA Headquarters and the design and production agencies, approved and accepted the B61-12 into the Air Force stockpile and brokered requirements for the Air Force’s next generation of nuclear weapons, the W80-4 and W87-1.

Dawkins has executive experience gained within the Department of Defense, DOE (NNSA Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application) and the National Security Council as Director of Strategic Capabilities Policy, where he developed nuclear weapons policy for the

president. He has forged national security policy for three presidents and has led organizations of over 21,000 personnel.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2093810 527d556b-eec0-47c1-b4cd-51f3f13b2dfb 2215 full 3 3 225 225 false Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:36 GMT <![CDATA[Brian D'Andrea: TechSource; A Leader in Nuclear Expertise]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Jim Howe interviews Brian D'Andrea, CEO of TechSource, discussing the company's significant role in supporting America's nuclear security enterprise. They explore TechSource's growth, employee ownership, and the importance of retaining critical skills in the nuclear field. Brian shares insights into the company's project management approach, workforce development initiatives, and strategic partnerships that enhance their capabilities.

Brian D’Andrea is an entrepreneurial leader and senior executive with proven experience creating early profitability in a start-up, driving continued growth, and sustaining operations through strategic oversight. As the CEO and Chairman of the Board of TechSource, Inc., Mr. D’Andrea believes that people are as important as profit margins since people drive business success. His unique abilities in bridging technical and management requirements, creating agile management teams, and empowering his staff to create innovative and implementable solutions to complex problems result in consistent success.

Since joining TechSource, Mr. D’Andrea has lead corporate growth from $2M to over $34M per year while remaining debt-free and operating socially responsibly. His approach to corporate governance of high technology companies is grounded in decades of technical and management experience in aviation systems, nuclear sciences, accelerator technologies, non-proliferation, systems engineering and integration, and safety and security. His practical technical experience supports his performance of fiduciary and strategic oversight, including corporate strategy, planning, and execution; business transformation and restructuring; investment in emerging technologies; recruitment of key personnel; and strategic partnerships.

In addition to TechSource, Mr. D’Andrea has held leadership positions in Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and the U.S. Navy. His management experience spans major programs at the Navy, the Department of Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration, national laboratories, and the Navajo Nation Public Safety Division.

Mr. D’Andrea has a Masters of Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, a Bachelors in General Engineering from the Naval Academy, and certification in Lean Manufacturing from the University of Michigan. He holds a Project Management Professional certification and numerous other qualifications/trainings in management, emergency preparedness, FEMA, and DOD.

He is a former Chairman of Leadership Los Alamos and a current board member of the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation. Mr. D’Andrea was also a Naval Flight Officer and holds his private pilot’s license. He lives in Los Alamos, NM with his wife Dana and their children, and enjoys spending his free time with them.

To learn more about Mr. D’Andrea, go to his LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/v-brian-d-andrea-8a8a6

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2083708 c18414be-4ab8-4a58-bf9b-ab46a54e4527 2460 full 3 3 224 224 false Tue, 24 Jun 2025 04:00:32 GMT <![CDATA[James Ragland: Defense Nuclear Weapons School (DNWS)]]> James Ragland from the Defense Nuclear Weapons School (DNWS) shares the school's history, mission, and the various courses it offers. He talks about the evolution of the school's focus from Cold War-era nuclear weapons to contemporary threats, the types of students who attend, and the unique courses available, including specialized training for first responders. Ragland also highlights the importance of the Nuclear Weapons Instructional Museum and the role of DNWS in enhancing nuclear education within the military and government.

James Ragland is a former Bioenvironmental Engineer and a 15-year veteran of the United States Air Force. Since 2003, he has served as a faculty member at the Defense Nuclear Weapons School, the nation’s premier institution for nuclear and radiological education. Mr. Ragland is recognized as a subject matter expert in nuclear policy and deterrence, with extensive expertise in nuclear weapons design, effects, and issues related to nuclear proliferation.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2075066 cf2864f8-d8d5-4b8d-a0f5-58024d4db577 2122 full 3 3 223 223 false Tue, 17 Jun 2025 04:00:42 GMT <![CDATA[Rick Evans USAF, Maj. Gen (Ret.): The Evolution of STRATCOM: From SAC to C2F]]> Major General (Ret.) Rick Evans shares the history and significance of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and the United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM), focusing on the evolution from Building 500 to the new Command and Control Facility (C2F). The conversation covers the historical context of SAC, the transition to STRATCOM, the necessity for a new facility, funding challenges, and the operational capabilities of the new C2F, highlighting its importance in national security.

Major General, USAF (Ret.) Richard J. Evans III (Rick) serves as the Executive Director for the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI), a national security-focused research institute created by the University of Nebraska. Before joining NSRI, he served more than 35 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, retiring at the rank of Major General in October, 2019. He was previously the Director of Reserve Forces and Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He served as the principal advisor to the Commander on reserve component matters related to the command's diverse missions, including strategic deterrence, nuclear operations and command, control and communications, space and cyberspace operations, full-spectrum global strike, integrated missile defense, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations and joint warfare analysis.

Maj. Gen. Evans received his commission in 1984 as a distinguished graduate of the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science. He has commanded at the detachment, squadron, group and wing levels. His operational flying assignments include instructor weapon systems officer in the RF-4C; and instructor and evaluator navigator in the KC- 135 Stratotanker. His staff assignments include: wing- level operations, plans, tactics and personnel assignments; Special Assistant to the Director, Air National Guard for the Quadrennial Defense Review 2010; Acting Director for Space and Information Superiority at the National Guard Bureau; and National Reconnaissance Office Liaison Officer to U.S. Strategic Command. He also served as Chair of the Air National Guard's KC-135 and Space, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Cyber Weapon System Councils and was a member of the Air Directorate Field Advisory Council from 2004-2012.

Maj. Gen. Evans has commanded expeditionary forces and flown combat missions in the KC-135 supporting operations Uphold Democracy, Decisive Endeavor, Deliberate Guard, Deliberate Forge, Allied Force, Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He also served as Director of Mobility Forces for NATO Operation Unified Protector. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School and master navigator with over 4,000 flying hours, including 153 combat/combat support hours. He has also completed over 100 operational missions as an Airborne Emergency Actions Officer leading the Battle Staff on the U.S. Strategic Command E-6B Airborne Command Post.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2064266 418c238a-13b7-4e17-9870-347742b336c2 2544 full 3 3 222 222 false Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:00:42 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Tom Karako: Understanding the Golden Dome Initiative]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam speaks with Dr. Tom Karako from the Center for Strategic and International Studies about the Golden Dome initiative, a response to increasing air and missile threats. They discuss the initiative's purpose, its funding structure, and the importance of missile defense in national security. The conversation also covers the role of space in missile defense, critiques of the Golden Dome initiative, and the need for more capacity and sensors in the defense strategy.

Dr. Karako is a senior fellow with the International Security Program and the director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he arrived in 2014. His research focuses on national security, missile defense, nuclear deterrence, and public law. For 2010–2011, he was an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow, working with the professional staff of the House Armed Services Committee and the Strategic Forces Subcommittee on U.S. strategic forces policy, nonproliferation, and NATO.

Karako is also currently a fellow with the Institute for Politics and Strategy of Carnegie Mellon University. He received his Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University and his B.A. from the University of Dallas.

00:00 Introduction to Golden Dome and Missile Defense

05:38 Understanding the Golden Dome Initiative

11:32 The Role of Golden Dome in National Security

16:59 Exploring Space Components of Golden Dome

23:23 Critiques and Misconceptions of Golden Dome

27:01 Wishes for the Future of Golden Dome

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2053250 10c8cb6d-826f-4949-9a79-7ca4224f9c03 1969 full 3 3 221 221 false Tue, 03 Jun 2025 04:00:19 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Stephen Nagy: Navigating Japan's Strategic Landscape]]> Dr. Stephen Nagy discusses Japan's strategic positioning in a complex geopolitical landscape, particularly in relation to the U.S.-China rivalry. He explores Japan's economic ties with China, the challenges posed by regional security threats, and the evolving strategies Japan is employing to navigate these issues. The conversation delves into Japan's historical pacifism, the potential for nuclear deterrence discussions, and the importance of trade agreements and technological cooperation in ensuring regional stability.

Dr. NAGY’s main affiliation is as a professor at the International Christian University, Tokyo. Concurrently, he is a visiting fellow with the Japan Institute for International Affairs (JIIA). He serves as the director of policy studies for the Yokosuka Council of Asia Pacific Studies (YCAPS), spearheading their Indo-Pacific Policy Dialogue series.

He is currently working on middle-power approaches to great-power competition in the Indo-Pacific.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2043247 f8707c59-f233-426a-9dfc-22a644bb1b49 1968 full 3 3 220 220 false Tue, 27 May 2025 04:01:04 GMT <![CDATA[General (Ret) Glen VanHerck: Cyber Threats and Homeland Defense Strategies]]> General VanHerck, former commander of U.S. Northern Command, shares his insights on deterrence, homeland defense, and the evolving threats facing the United States. He emphasizes the importance of cyber awareness, missile defense, and the need for a layered approach to national security. He also stresses the significance of relationships with allies and partners, the future of space defense, and the necessity for long-range strike capabilities and his wishes for a more agile defense acquisition process and the importance of investing in foundational infrastructure.

Glen VanHerck is a visionary senior leader leveraging more than 36 years of service culminating as commander of both the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command. He brings a wealth of experience in strategy and policy development, and joint planning and operations. Glen is the Principal at Glen VanHerck Advisors, LLC. He is a Senior Fellow at the National Defense University and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab. He serves as an advisor to multiple companies spanning various industry sectors and is a board member of First State Community Bank in his hometown.

Glen served for nearly 37 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, in multiple assignments spanning fighter, bomber, and training operations including serving as a United States Air Force Weapons School Instructor in the F-15C and the B-2A. He commanded two squadrons, an operations group, and two operational wings. He also commanded the United States Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2034778 66ec4ca8-c14e-4d12-afee-8ae37ee81886 2066 full 3 3 219 219 false Tue, 20 May 2025 04:00:37 GMT <![CDATA[Tom Summers: The Balance of Safety and Mission in Nuclear Operations]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Tom Summers, the acting chairman of the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board (DNFSB). They discuss the DNFSB's mission to ensure safety in nuclear operations, the balance between safety and mission accomplishment, the challenges of aging infrastructure, and the board's commitment to modernization and technological advancements. Tom emphasizes the importance of safety oversight in the context of national security and the need for a next generation of nuclear safety leaders.

Thomas A. Summers was appointed Vice Chair of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board in August 2020. He is currently the Acting Chair of the Board. Mr. Summers was twice confirmed by the Senate and appointed by the President for a term through October 2025. He previously served as the Senior Advisor to the Deputy Administrator and as the Deputy for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation in the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Defense Programs. He is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with over three decades of active duty in a variety of command, teaching, military staff, and scientific positions.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2022801 900d70ff-ee60-4407-9435-d385c2298fbb 2014 full 3 3 218 218 false Tue, 13 May 2025 04:01:19 GMT <![CDATA[Angela Sheffield - AI and Nuclear Command: A New Era]]> Angela Sheffield, Director of Digital and AI Programs at SAIC, joins Adam to discuss the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into nuclear command and control (NC3) systems. They explore the challenges, opportunities, and the evolving landscape of AI technology in the context of national security. Angela emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific applications of AI, the need for collaboration within the nuclear community, and the potential for AI to enhance decision-making processes. The conversation also touches on the skepticism surrounding AI adoption in the nuclear sector and the necessity for education and engagement to foster a more informed approach to AI integration.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2013822 671e6519-5607-482c-aefe-347f530cac20 2163 full 3 3 217 217 false Tue, 06 May 2025 04:00:23 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Satoru Nagao - The Quad Alliance: Japan's Counter to China]]> Dr. Satoru Nagao discusses Japan's strategic views on the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in relation to China and the United States. The conversation explores Japan's concerns about China's growing influence, the importance of the Quad alliance, and the potential for Japan to consider nuclear capabilities in response to regional threats. Dr. Nagao emphasizes Japan's commitment to the US alliance while navigating complex relationships with neighboring countries, including South Korea and India.

Dr. Satoru Nagao is a fellow (non-resident) at Hudson Institute, based in Tokyo, Japan. From December 2017 through November 2020, he was a visiting fellow at Hudson Institute, based in Washington, D.C. His primary research area is U.S-.Japan-India security cooperation. He was awarded his Ph.D. by Gakushuin University in 2011 for his thesis, “India’s Military Strategy,” the first such research thesis on this topic in Japan. Gakushuin University is a premier institution from which members of the Japanese Imperial Family have also graduated.

He holds numerous other research positions, including associate professor at the Institute for International Strategy of Tokyo International University, senior research fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies, specially-appointed research fellow at the Japan Forum on International Relations, research fellow at the Institute for Future Engineering (strategy, defense policy), member of Research Committee of Research Institute for Peace and Security, associate at the Society of Security and Diplomatic Policy Studies, associate at International Security Industry Council, research fellow at the Security and Strategy Research Institute for Japan, senior fellow at the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka, and senior research fellow of the Indian Military Review, Visiting Fellow (Indo-Pacific) & Honorary Convenor, Japan of Tillotoma Foundation in India, International Board of Advisor of Jindal India Institute in O.P. Jindal Global University in India.

Dr. Nagao was a visiting scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), in Washington D.C. He worked previously as a research fellow at the Tokyo Foundation and the Ocean Policy Research Foundation in Tokyo, as a post-doctoral fellow at the Research Institute for Oriental Cultures at Gakushuin University, and as a lecturer at Gakushuin University, Aoyama-Gakuin University and Komazawa University. He was also a security analyst at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and a first lieutenant of the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces (Japanese Army). In India, he was a Visiting Fellow at Observer Research Foundation.

Dr. Nagao has authored numerous books and articles on security issues, and he also contributes to the column, “Age of Japan-India ‘Alliance’” at Nikkei Business, the journal of one of Japan’s leading newspapers.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/2003023 42d71d71-ec67-4f54-87ce-66aba7a0c647 2162 full 3 3 216 216 false Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:00:57 GMT <![CDATA[James Petrosky, Ph.D.: Nuclear Power, The Future of Energy Security]]> Jim Petrosky discusses the critical need for resilient energy infrastructure in the face of potential threats like EMP attacks in this episode. He explores the lessons learned from Europe's energy grid modernization, the future of nuclear power, and the challenges of public perception and political will surrounding nuclear energy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of small modular reactors and the need for a dynamic energy grid that can adapt to changing demands and threats.

Dr. Petrosky is the President of the National Institute for Deterrence Studies (NIDS). He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Engineering Physics where he developed experimental techniques for the prediction of damage to electronic devices and materials. He has substantial technical expertise in pulsed radiation effects and nuclear weapon survivability, with an emphasis on radiation effects on electronics and electromagnetic pulse.

Previously, Dr. Petrosky served at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) where he achieved the academic rank of Professor of Nuclear Engineering. At AFIT he sustained an ABET accredited Nuclear Engineering program serving the unique military and civilian advanced education requirements for the DoD.

Dr. Petrosky has published in 96 public and government classified peer-reviewed journals. He retired from the U.S. Army in 2004 as a Lieutenant Colonel, after serving as an Engineer Officer and Nuclear Research Officer.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Resilient Energy Infrastructure

02:11 The Importance of Energy Resilience

05:40 Learning from Europe's Energy Grid

11:46 The Future of Nuclear Power

20:24 Challenges in Nuclear Energy Adoption

25:56 Wishes for the Future of Nuclear Energy

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1993892 0364bccd-0022-469a-8352-3d71218cf4fc 2084 full 3 3 215 215 false Tue, 22 Apr 2025 04:01:07 GMT <![CDATA[Rebecca Grant, Ph.D. - Stealth Technology: The Future of Air Power]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther and guest Rebecca Grant discuss the advancements in stealth technology, focusing on the B-21 Raider and the implications of Chinese military developments. They explore the dynamics of air power between the US and China, the importance of pilot proficiency, and the future of sixth-generation aircraft. The conversation emphasizes the need for the US to maintain its technological edge and adapt to evolving military challenges.

Dr. Rebecca Grant is a national security analyst based in Washington, DC specializing in defense and aerospace research and national security consulting. She is the Vice President for Lexington Institute and has over 20 years of experience working with the United States Air Force, United States Navy, and top aerospace clients. In addition, Dr. Grant has often appeared on television as an expert on national security for Fox News, Fox Business, CNN, and MSNBC and as a series regular on The Smithsonian’s Air Warriors.

Dr. Grant also writes on China, Russia and other technology and national security topics for Fox News Opinion. Her military books include 75 Great Airmen (with Lt. Gen. Chris Miller), The B-2 Goes to War, and Battle-Tested: Aircraft Carriers in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Dr. Grant graduated from Wellesley College and earned a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics, University of London

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Stealth and Current Developments

02:36 The B-21 Raider: A New Era in Stealth Technology

14:10 Chinese Stealth Aircraft: The J-36 and J-50

20:15 US vs. China: Air Power Dynamics

23:56 The Future of Stealth and Technological Advancements

27:21 Wishes for the Future of US Air Power

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1985563 6368453a-7ed3-4c39-ba1d-792cf8c5b90a 2075 full 3 3 214 214 false Tue, 15 Apr 2025 04:00:23 GMT <![CDATA[James Graham Wilson: The Legacy of Paul Nitze: A Cold Warrior's Journey]]> James Graham Wilson explores the life and legacy of Paul Nitze, a pivotal figure in U.S. national security and Cold War history. This Legacy Series highlights Nitze's early life, his influential roles in shaping U.S. defense policy, and his lasting impact on strategic debates. The dialogue delves into Nitze's contributions during critical moments in history, including the Cold War and the Reagan administration, while also reflecting on the lessons learned for contemporary national security challenges.

James Graham Wilson is the author of America's Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan (Cornell University Press, 2024) and The Triumph of Improvisation Gorbachev's Adaptability, Reagan's Engagement, and the End of the Cold War (Cornell University Press, 2014).

He received his Ph.D. in diplomatic history from the University of Virginia in 2011. He is currently a , where he has compiled 10 volumes in the Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) series and is presently compiling FRUS volumes on the George H.W. Bush administration

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Paul Nitze and His Legacy

02:59 Paul Nitze's Early Life and Career

06:00 Transitioning to National Security

08:57 Nitze's Role in the Cold War

11:48 Influence on U.S. Defense Policy

15:08 Key Contributions and Strategic Insights

18:07 Nitze's Impact During the Reagan Era

21:01 Reflections on Arms Control and Strategic Stability

24:00 Lessons from History and Future Considerations

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1975510 843e9378-b7f0-473d-b3ac-8edd61cf39e2 2049 full 3 3 213 213 false Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:01:28 GMT <![CDATA[The Honorable William Ostendorff - The Future of Warhead Modernization and Strategic Deterrence]]> In this Future Series episode, Kris Osborn and Captain William Ostendorff discuss the critical aspects of nuclear deterrence, focusing on warhead modernization, technological advancements, and the importance of reliability in nuclear weapons. Captain Ostendorff shares insights from his extensive experience in the Navy and his roles in various nuclear security programs, emphasizing the complexities of today's geopolitical landscape and the need for a robust nuclear strategy. The discussion also highlights the role of digital engineering and advanced computing in enhancing weapon performance and reliability, as well as the integration of non-nuclear components in nuclear systems.

Captain William Ostendorff served as Principal Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration from 2007 to 2009 and as a commissioner of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 2010 to 2016.

Captain Ostendorff is an advisory council member for the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations, a member of the Board of Directors for Information Systems Laboratories, Chairman of the Energy Solutions Decommissioning Nuclear Safety Review Board for Three Mile Island Unit 2, Independent Manager on the Board of Global Laser Enrichment LLC and Co-Chair of the Committee of Risk of Nuclear War and Nuclear Terrorism of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

He graduated the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in systems engineering and was an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1976 until his retirement in 2002. During his naval career, he served as Commanding Officer of the USS Norfolk, Director of the Submarine Force Commanding Officer School, Commander of Submarine Squadron Six and finally Director of the U.S. Naval Academy Math and Science Division. He returned to the Naval Academy as Distinguished Visiting Professor of National Security from 2016 to 2021.

As counsel for the House Armed Services Committee from 2003 to 2007, Captain Ostendorff was staff director of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, with oversight responsibilities for the Department of Energy’s Atomic Energy Defense Activities and the Department of Defense’s Missile Defense, Space and Intelligence Programs which totaled more than $50 billion in the annual defense authorization bill. He also worked as Director of the Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy and Director of the Board on Global Science and Technology from 2009 to 2010 and research staff member for Institute for Defense Analyses from 2002 to 2003.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1963500 2cce64de-429d-4938-bb02-290b71411f70 2079 full 3 3 212 212 false Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:00:52 GMT <![CDATA[Lt. Col. Garrett Glover: Navigating the Future of Air Force Strategy]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam speaks with Lieutenant Colonel Gary Glover about the evolving landscape of the Air Force, particularly in relation to nuclear force design and modernization efforts. They discuss the importance of advanced education for military officers, the implications of hypersonic weapons on nuclear command and control, and the broader national security challenges facing the United States.

Lieutenant Colonel Garrett Glover is the Chief of AFGSC Futures Division, Air Force Global Strike Command, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at USAFA, and a Senior Fellow with the Institute for National Security Studies.

Colonel Glover was commissioned from the United States Air Force Academy in 2009. He has held key positions within the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile community, including Instructor, Evaluator, Flight Commander, and Assistant Director of Operations. As Executive Officer for the Office of Defense Programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration, he played a pivotal role in the successful execution of a $5 billion Stockpile Stewardship Program, supporting $25 billion in nuclear sustainment initiatives.

He served as a Presidential Nuclear Strike Advisor and Assistant Deputy Director of Operations at the National Military Command Center, translating presidential intent into nuclear strike options and leading a joint inter-agency team focused on both nuclear and conventional global military operations. In this role he oversaw the execution of the National Military Command System on behalf of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Additionally, he served as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for Nuclear and Homeland Defense Operations (J-36) on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. He spent a year as a DoD Nuclear Technical Lab Fellow at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CA.

Prior to his current position, he served as the Chief Nuclear Strategist of Headquarters, Air Force Global Strike Command.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Global Strike Command and Force Design

07:29 The Importance of Advanced Education for Officers

15:23 Hypersonics and Nuclear Command Control

25:50 Wishes for National Security and Education

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1954466 07d3b7a5-38eb-4d3f-8d8a-a941641f6b3f 2006 full 3 3 211 211 false Tue, 25 Mar 2025 04:00:48 GMT <![CDATA[Robert Kittinger, Ph.D. - Tritium, Reactors and Nuclear Deterrence]]> In this episode of NUCLECAST, host Adam Lowther engages with Dr. Robert Kittinger to discuss various aspects of nuclear policy, including the importance of tritium production, the role of small modular reactors in military applications, and the interconnectedness of nuclear energy and weapons. They explore the implications of denuclearization and the need for a dedicated supply chain for nuclear components, while also addressing the historical context of nuclear deterrence and its significance in maintaining global peace.

Dr. Kittinger, is a Senior Fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies (NIDS). He spent 10 years at Sandia National Laboratories, culminating in the Nuclear Threat Science department and working in Nuclear Emergency Support and Counterterrorism & Counter-Proliferation (CTCP). During his time at Sandia, he was also a 2017 graduate of the prestigious Weapon Intern Program (WIP).

Before joining Sandia, Dr. Kittinger spent over five years as a civilian in the U.S. Navy and was part of a five-person tech startup, BookLamp, which was acquired by Apple in 2013. Following his tenure at Sandia, he served as a senior researcher at Amazon and currently holds the role of Chief Research Officer at a MedTech company.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to NUCLECAST and Guest Introduction

01:14 Presidential Address and Nuclear Policy Discussion

03:40 Tritium Production and Its Importance

12:10 Challenges in Nuclear Supply Chain and Future Needs

13:01 Small Modular Reactors and Their Military Applications

18:04 Nuclear Energy and Weapons Interconnection

20:31 Denuclearization and Global Peace Perspectives

28:50 Wishes for the Future of Nuclear Energy and Deterrence

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1944694 6edad1f3-6385-4593-9b01-37c235ff4879 1870 full 3 3 210 210 false Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:00:58 GMT <![CDATA[James R Howe: Nuclear Deterrence, A New Era]]> In this episode of NucleCast Future Series with Warrior Maven, Kris Osborn interviews James Howe on the critical issues surrounding nuclear deterrence, focusing on low yield nuclear weapons, the strategic arsenals of Russia and China, and the implications of advanced technologies in modern warfare. The conversation delves into the current state of nuclear capabilities, the risks posed by tactical nuclear weapons, and the future of strategic deterrence in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

Mr. James R. Howe is currently VP, Threats, Technology, and Future Requirements for Vision Centric, Inc., a SETA to US Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). He is President of Strategic Concepts and Analysis and is also a consultant to National Security Research Institute (NSRI) (UARC to STRATCOM). Mr. Howe has over 50 years’ experience researching US/adversary strategic nuclear forces, strategic defenses, and space war issues. He was principal investigator on a study for OSD/NA to conduct open-source research into the future military utility and feasibility of space offensive warfare, and its impact on future warfare as a continuance of the revolution in military affairs. He was co-developer of the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon (AHW) concept, helped keep AHW concept sold (Now being developed and produced as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon).

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nuclear Deterrence

03:01 Understanding Low Yield Nuclear Weapons

06:05 The Russian Nuclear Arsenal and Strategy

09:04 Comparative Analysis of US and Russian Tactical Weapons

11:55 The Role of Advanced Technologies in Nuclear Strategy

15:06 The Future of ICBMs and Strategic Deterrence

17:58 China's Growing Nuclear Capabilities

21:01 The Implications of Dual-Use Weapons

24:12 Conclusion and Future Considerations

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1932517 8ceee60d-01e7-4569-b541-21f6a6a5ffed 2022 full 3 3 209 209 false Tue, 11 Mar 2025 04:00:18 GMT <![CDATA[The Honorable David Trachtenberg: U.S. Missile Defense Priorities]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Dave Trachtenberg about his report on missile defense. They discuss the need to move away from Cold War-era thinking regarding mutual vulnerability and the importance of defending the homeland against missile threats from adversaries like China and Russia. The conversation also covers the role of space in missile defense, necessary legislative changes, and future wishes for missile defense capabilities, including directed energy systems.

The Honorable David J. Trachtenberg is Vice President of the National Institute for Public Policy, a nonprofit research center in Fairfax, Virginia. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 17, 2017 as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and served in this capacity until his retirement from government service in July 2019. Until January 2018, he also served as the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the principal civilian adviser to the Secretary of Defense on policy matters.

He was also the senior Department of Defense civilian official responsible for DoD policy on civilian casualties resulting from military operations. Prior to his confirmation, Mr. Trachtenberg was President and CEO of Shortwaver Consulting, LLC. Earlier, he was a Vice President at CACI and Senior Vice President for Homeland Security at National Security Research, Inc.

Prior to joining NSR, Mr. Trachtenberg was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Forces Policy. From 1995-200, Mr. Trachtenberg was a Professional Staff Member with the House Committee on Armed Services (HASC) in Washington, D.C, serving as head of the committee's policy staff and staff lead for the HASC Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism.

Mr.Trachtenberg is a two-time recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. He holds an A.B. in International Relations from the University of Southern California and a M.S. degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He currently teaches graduate seminars in nuclear deterrence and strategy and the role of Congress in national security policy at the Fairfax, Virginia campus of Missouri State University’s Defense and Strategic Studies Program.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Missile Defense Priorities

03:10 Reassessing Cold War Paradigms

06:00 The Role of Space in Missile Defense

08:51 Legislative Changes for Enhanced Defense

11:58 Wishes for the Future of Missile Defense

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1922319 5fbd1899-bdb4-40a3-bc6b-4cb26cc3ac03 1994 full 3 3 208 208 false Tue, 04 Mar 2025 05:00:38 GMT <![CDATA[Rob Soofer, Ph.D. - Defending the Homeland: The Case for Missile Defense]]> In this episode of NUCLECAST, Adam speaks with Dr. Rob Soofer, a senior fellow in the Forward Defense practice of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, where he leads its Nuclear Strategy Project. They discuss the evolving threats from countries like North Korea, Russia, and China, and the need for a robust missile defense strategy that reassures allies and deters adversaries. Soofer emphasizes the necessity of a layered missile defense system and the challenges posed by budgetary constraints in achieving these goals. The conversation also touches on the future of missile defense technology, including space-based capabilities and the importance of bipartisan support for defense initiatives.

He is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies, teaching courses in nuclear strategy, missile defense, and arms control. He serves as a consultant for the Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories as well as the Institute for Defense Analyses.

Soofer was deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy from April 2017 to January 2021. In this capacity, he was co director of the Nuclear Posture Review and Missile Defense Review and led their implementation; testified before Congress on nuclear and missile defense policy; led biannual nuclear staff talks with key allies; served as US representative to the NATO High Level Group for nuclear planning; and was the secretary of defense representative to the US-Russia nuclear arms control talks.

Previously, Soofer served for eight years as a professional staff member and Republican staff lead for the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as strategic forces policy advisor to Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), then the Republican whip. He also was military legislative assistant to former Senator Slade Gorton (R-WA) and professional staff member on the Senate Republican Policy Committee. He taught at the National War College for three years as professor of national-security policy and served for eight years in various policy and international-affairs positions with the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization/Missile Defense Agency. In 2003, he was called to active duty as a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserve and assigned to the newly created Terrorist Threat Integration Center.

Soofer received his doctorate in international relations from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the National War College. He was awarded the Department of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Medal and Distinguished Public Service Medal and is the author of Missile Defenses and Western European Security (Greenwood Press, 1988).

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1910918 10baccc5-d534-474d-8613-b0854cef89fa 2061 full 3 3 207 207 false Tue, 25 Feb 2025 05:00:29 GMT <![CDATA[ Christopher Stone: Iron Dome for America]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam welcomes Chris Stone to discuss the recent executive order regarding the Iron Dome for America . They explore the implications of the order, the differences between the Israeli Iron Dome and the proposed American system, and the feasibility of developing a comprehensive missile defense system. The conversation also delves into budget considerations, the role of space in national defense, and innovative approaches to missile defense, emphasizing the urgency of addressing vulnerabilities in the face of emerging threats.

Christopher Stone is a prominent figure in space policy, currently serving as a Senior Fellow for Space Deterrence at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, where he focuses on research related to space warfare strategies and deterrence, particularly in the context of great power competition; he previously held a position as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy at the Pentagon, giving him significant experience in the field of U.S. space policy development at a high level.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Iron Dome for America

03:13 Understanding the Executive Order

05:52 Comparing Iron Dome Systems: Israel vs. America

09:08 Feasibility of Building a Comprehensive Defense System

11:51 Budget Considerations and Strategic Implications

15:01 The Role of Space in National Defense

18:05 Innovative Approaches to Missile Defense

20:55 The Future of Space-Based Interceptors

23:55 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1900955 792b488b-927f-4c8e-9365-8192324972d0 1922 full 3 3 206 206 false Tue, 18 Feb 2025 05:00:22 GMT <![CDATA[Beth Rafferty - Building the Next Generation of Submarines]]> Beth Rafferty, Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics at Electric Boat, talks about the complexities of submarine construction and the challenges facing the industrial base. They discuss the current state of the submarine industrial base, the need for skilled labor, the impact of COVID-19 on supply chains, and the future of submarine production.

Beth Rafferty was named Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics in June 2021. In this position, she is responsible for the material and acquisition value stream across the business, including design and engineering, construction, material conveyance, supply chain development, strategic sourcing and product life cycle. Beth began her career at Electric Boat in 1994 and has served in a range of positions including Director of Integrated Power Systems, Director of Naval Architecture and Structural Engineering and Design, and most recently as Vice President of the Columbia Program. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from New York Polytechnic University and is a graduate of the company's business leader program.

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1888688 341b1a89-2418-4b3d-bcbc-5e2208bcdab3 1739 full 3 3 205 205 false Tue, 11 Feb 2025 05:00:29 GMT <![CDATA[Japan's Nuclear Dilemma: A Public Perspective]]> Adam engages with Professor Yohichiro Sato to explore the evolving security landscape in Asia, particularly from the Japanese perspective. The conversation delves into Japan's concerns regarding North Korea's nuclear ambitions, China's assertiveness in the region, and the implications for Japan's defense policies. Sato discusses the strong anti-nuclear sentiment in Japan, the potential reconsideration of nuclear weapons, and the importance of the US-Japan alliance in maintaining regional stability. The episode concludes with reflections on future scenarios and the need for collaboration among regional powers.

PROFESSOR YOICHIRO SATO holds a BA (Law) from Keio University, MA (International Studies) from University of South Carolina, and Ph.D. (Political Science) from University of Hawaii. He currently teaches at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. He was also a visiting senior research fellow at Yusof Ishak Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), 2022-23. His major works include Re-Rising Japan (co-edited with Hidekazu Sakai, Peter Lang, 2017), Handbook of Indo-Pacific Studies (co-edited with Barbara Kratiuk, Jeroen Van den Bosch, and Aleksandra Jaskólska, Routledge, 2023), and Alliances in Asia and Europe: The Evolving Indo-Pacific Strategic Context and Inter-Regional Alignments (co-edited with Elena Atanassova-Cornelis and Tom Sauer, Routledge, 2023). He is active in media and foreign policy circles, appearing and having written for and been quoted, in more than 30 media and think tank outlets globally, including BBC, Al Jazeera, and Bloomberg.

Chapters

00:00 Japanese Perspectives on Regional Security

14:56 The Credibility of the US-Japan Alliance

30:02 Future Scenarios and Japan's Nuclear Considerations

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1877468 6b63b1b1-e4aa-4357-aa0e-b41ba20f7701 2016 full 3 3 204 204 false Tue, 04 Feb 2025 05:00:36 GMT <![CDATA[John Swegle, Ph.D. - Putin's Message: Escalation or Deterrence?]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam and Dr. John Swegle discuss the implications of a recent missile attack in Ukraine, where an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was used in a conventional capacity. They delve into the specifics of the attack, the characteristics of the missile, and the potential messaging and escalation dynamics involved. The conversation also touches on the broader implications for NATO and the future of nuclear and conventional warfare.

Dr. John Swegle works as an independent consultant through the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska on issues related to the effects of nuclear weapons and proliferation on US national security. Immediately prior to that, he was a Senior Advisory Scientist at the Savannah River National Laboratory in Aiken, South Carolina. He began his career at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was a member of the plasma theory group, and then moved to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he conducted and managed analyses of foreign technology and nuclear programs in what was then Z Division; he also worked in a nuclear design division for several years where he was introduced to the basic concepts of nuclear design and nuclear-driven electromagnetic pulse. He is a graduate of Cornell University, where he obtained an MS and PhD in applied physics with a specialty in plasma physics, and the University of Washington in Seattle, where he earned BSEE and MSEE degrees.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Attack on Ukraine

03:02 Details of the Missile Attack

14:25 Implications of Using ICBMs Conventionally

15:13 Messaging and Escalation Dynamics

24:54 Wishes for Future Considerations

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1866072 93a76017-29dd-458c-9ae5-6e0e8850d19e 2160 full 3 3 203 203 false Tue, 28 Jan 2025 05:00:31 GMT <![CDATA[Guy Taylor: The Impact of Trump and Technology on Global Security]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther engages with Guy Taylor, the national security editor at the Washington Times, to discuss the current state of global security amidst a significant transition of power in the U.S. They explore the implications of Trump's second term, the unpredictable nature of his administration, and the intersection of technology and national security. The conversation also delves into the pressing issue of balancing defense spending with entitlement programs, the potential for privatization in weapons development, and the hopes for a more peaceful global landscape in the coming years.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to National Security Dynamics

01:53 Transition of Power and Global Security Challenges

07:33 The Role of Technology in National Security

19:29 Guns vs. Butter Debate: Balancing Defense and Entitlements

20:08 The Future of U.S. Defense Spending and Efficiency

28:12 Wishes for Global Peace and Diplomacy

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1855224 4d1477e3-de42-4959-bd67-81135c993029 2268 full 3 3 202 202 false Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:00:22 GMT <![CDATA[Michael Elliott: The Intricacies of Nuclear Planning and Operations]]> Michael Elliott talks about the intricate process of nuclear planning and outlines the eight-step nuclear planning process, emphasizing the collaborative efforts required from various military and intelligence agencies. He addresses common misconceptions about nuclear launch protocols, highlighting the rigorous safeguards in place to prevent unauthorized or accidental launches. The conversation provides valuable insights into the complexities of nuclear strategy and the importance of informed policy-making in today's geopolitical landscape.

Mr. Elliott is a retired member of the Senior Executive Service and current National Security Consultant. Mr. Elliott is an adviser to the Nuclear Deterrence External Advisory Board for Sandia National Laboratories.

From September 2010 to November 2015 Mr. Elliott was Deputy Director for Strategic Stability, Plans and Policy Directorate, The Joint Staff. In this capacity he was a senior advisor to the Director, Plans and Policy and Chairman for shaping and implementation of national security plans and policy. He represented the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Interagency Policy Committee debate on such diverse topics as National Nuclear Technical Forensics, implementation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, Chemical Weapons Convention, Biological Weapons Convention, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, CFE, Vienna Document, Open Skies Treaty and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. In 2015 the President conferred upon Mr. Elliott the rank of Meritorious Executive in the Senior Executive Service.

From April 2009 to August 2010, Mr. Elliott served as the Chairman’s representative to the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty negotiations with the Russian Federation.

From June 2003 to April 2009 Mr. Elliott was a member of United States Strategic Command, culminating his tour as the Deputy Director for Plans and Policy, responsible for the shaping and implementation of national security plans and policy as it applied to the Command and the execution of its mission.

Mr. Elliott returned to government service in June 2003, following 7 years in the private sector, where he was an Assistant Vice President with Science Applications International Corporation.

Mr. Elliott retired from the United States Air Force, in January 1996, following 25 years of service. Mr. Elliott’s duties included a distinguished flying career in the B-1B, FB-111, and B-52G.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nuclear Planning and Michael Elliott

15:03 The Eight-Step Nuclear Planning Process

30:00 Collaborative Efforts in Nuclear Strategy

30:35 Misconceptions About Nuclear Launch Protocols

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1843713 8431a156-4bac-4267-ac72-fe0d8be34797 1992 full 3 3 201 201 false Tue, 14 Jan 2025 05:00:18 GMT <![CDATA[Jill Hruby:  NNSA's Journey: Achievements and Future Challenges]]> In this special 200th episode of NucleCast, Jill Hruby, the Administrator of NNSA and Undersecretary of the Department of Energy for Nuclear Security, discusses the achievements and challenges faced by NNSA during her tenure, including the modernization of nuclear weapons, strengthening international partnerships, and the importance of infrastructure projects. Jill shares insights on the Strategic Posture Commission's recommendations, the plans for pit production, and the significance of the National Ignition Facility (NIF). She emphasizes the need for a renewed focus on nuclear IQ and offers advice for future leadership in the nuclear enterprise.

Administrator Jill Hruby was Senate confirmed as the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration in 2021.

Administrator Hruby leads NNSA in achieving our Nation’s nuclear security missions to sustain and fully understand our nuclear weapons stockpile; provide new technologies and procedures to lower cost and reduce the time to deliver all mission requirements; staying ahead of our adversaries; and developing advanced capabilities to enhance nuclear security, arms control, and Navy reactors.

Prior to her nomination as Administrator, Ms. Hruby served as Director of Sandia National Laboratories from 2015-17 and has an extensive background in science and engineering spanning more than 40 years.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to NNSA and Jill Hruby

01:31 Reflecting on Achievements and Challenges

04:34 Infrastructure Projects and Challenges

10:18 Strategic Posture Commission Insights

12:30 Pit Production Plans and Timelines

16:31 NIF and Its Significance

19:41 Increased Activity Across NNSA

22:17 Advice for Future Leadership

26:08 Wishes for the Nuclear Enterprise

29:53 Parting Message and Future Outlook

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1828710 95dd0177-0949-4fbc-8bf8-8c06ea457498 2050 full 3 3 200 200 false Tue, 07 Jan 2025 05:00:44 GMT <![CDATA[In-Bum Chun: Understanding the Political Crisis in South Korea]]> Host Adam Lowther interviews retired Lieutenant General In-Bum Chun about the recent political turmoil in South Korea, including President Yoon's declaration of martial law and the ongoing impeachment process. General Chun provides insights into the historical context of South Korean politics, the current political divide, and the implications of these events for the future of the country. He emphasizes the need for unity and support from the United States during this critical time.

Lieutenant General In-Bum Chun (ROK, Ret) served his country with both honor and integrity for nearly four decades. Chun retired in 2016 after distinguished service in the South Korean Army.

During his military career which started in 1978 at the Korea Military Academy he ascended to positions of leadership that included, the Chief of the Election Support Branch, Civil Military Affairs/Strategic Operations Directorate of the Multinational Forces in Iraq, the Director of U.S. Affairs at the Ministry of National Defense (ROK), Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff of Operations for the U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command, Senior member of the UNCMAC, the Commander of the ROK Special Warfare Command, and the Deputy Commander for the First ROK Army.

Chun is a holder of three U.S Legions of Merit, the US Bronze Star Medal and the USSOCOM Medal.

His interests and expertise in national defense and security policy saw him awarded positions that included Visiting Fellow at the Center for East Asia Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution, Visiting researcher at the US-Korea Institute at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University and as Visiting fellow at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Tech.

Currently, Chun is serving as a Senior Fellow with the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and the Vice-president of the Air and Space Forces Association (AFA) MIG Alley Chapter and is on the Advisory board for the National Bureau of Asian Research, the Global SOF Foundation, the Global American Business Institute and the Korean Modelers Association as well as a Senior Contributor for the Asia Society Korea and a fellow with the Institute of Corea American Studies and Distinguished Military Fellow with the Institute of Security and Development Policy in Sweden.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Political Crisis in South Korea

05:48 Martial Law Declaration and Its Implications

11:48 Impeachment Process and Political Dynamics

22:50 Historical Context of South Korean Politics

29:59 Wishes for the Future of South Korea

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1802694 ca01f931-cbb2-43e8-a08a-c03f35616222 2158 full 2 2 199 199 false Mon, 16 Dec 2024 05:00:26 GMT <![CDATA[Kris Osborn: Navigating Modern Defense]]> In this episode, Adam interviews Kris Osborn, a prominent defense journalist and president of the Center for Military Modernization. They discuss various topics including the U.S. nuclear posture, the implications of low yield weapons, advancements in digital engineering for defense acquisition, infrastructure challenges with the Sentinel and B-21 programs, cybersecurity in modern defense systems, China's military strategy, the ongoing Ukraine conflict, and the future of U.S. defense policy amidst political changes.

Kris Osborn is President and Editor in Chief of the Center for Military Modernization, think tank fellow, military technology analyst and former Dept. of the Army civilian working as a writer, information liaison and military expert for the U.S. Army. Osborn is also a former CNN anchor who serves currently as President and Editor-in-Chief of Warrior Maven - a military weapons and emerging technology site for news reports and analysis.

In recent years, Osborn also spent time as the Defense Editor of The National Interest and, in addition to leading Warrior Maven, he also currently works as a Professor of English Literature at Northern Virginia Community College.

The site - warriormaven.com - began as a start up and now reaches millions with cutting edge weapons, technology and military strategy content. The site regularly features intvs with US military leaders, weapons developers, analysts and military experts.

Osborn recently served as Editor-in-Chief of Defense Systems, a military IT/C4ISR/Cyber/Weapons Systems news site. He managed reporters, generated original content and lead the site, often interviewing high level IT/C4ISR/Weapons experts.

Prior to this, Osborn served as a Navy & Air Force expert associate editor with Military.com. In this role, Osborn interviewed senior Navy and Air Force leaders, program managers and weapons developers.

While an Army civilian just prior to Military.com - Osborn worked as a Highly Qualified Expert (SES level) civilian with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army - Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Here Osborn analyzed weapons programs, wrote for and briefed 3 and 4-star senior leaders and independently authored original weapons and acquisition content for Army academic journals and publications - such as the Army's Weapons System Handbook. He also worked on speeches for senior leaders and ghost-wrote material as a weapons and military acquisition expert.

Osborn also served as the Land War reporter for Defense News, and spent more than a decade as a TV news correspondent, anchor and military specialist. He was an anchor and military specialist at CNN Headline News, CNN Correspondent (at Pentagon for a bit) and Fox News Correspondent. In more recent years, Osborn regularly appeared as an expert military guest on MSNBC and Fox News.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1794272 d8a877cf-49e7-401c-8ce4-447633b1c3d1 2122 full 2 2 198 198 false Tue, 10 Dec 2024 05:00:22 GMT <![CDATA[General Rand: The Critical Role of Personnel in U.S. Air Force's Strategic Deterrent]]> In this conversation, General Retired Robin Rand discusses the critical role of personnel in maintaining the U.S. Air Force's strategic deterrent capabilities. He highlights the challenges of operating and maintaining aging military assets, the importance of leadership and motivation in harsh conditions, and the evolving training processes for pilots. Rand emphasizes the significance of the triad in strategic deterrence and praises the quality of today's military personnel, while also acknowledging the sacrifices made by their families.

General (Ret) Robin Rand is the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute (OADII). In this role, he is the lead executive for the University of Oklahoma’s institute that concentrates on the four national defense strategic research areas of international security policy, modernization and sustainment resilience, cyberspace and information dominance, and spectrum dominance.

General (Ret) Rand served for over 40 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, including six overseas assignments, multiple flying assignments and duty as an air liaison officer with the U.S. Army, studies at the Naval War College, Pentagon staff assignments as a policy planner on the Joint staff, principle director for Middle East policy for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Director Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, and eight different command tours. His last Air Force position was Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, and Commander, Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command where he was responsible for the land and air legs of the Nation’s nuclear triad. He is a command pilot with over 5,100 flying hours, predominately in the F-16, including more than 480 combat hours.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of People in Strategic Deterrence

02:58 Challenges of Maintaining Diverse Military Assets

06:01 Modernization and Maintenance of Aging Systems

09:10 Leadership and Motivation in Harsh Conditions

11:54 Training and Evolving Technologies in the Air Force

14:45 The Triad: Understanding Strategic Deterrence

18:09 The Quality of Today's Military Personnel

21:10 Family Challenges in Military Deployments

23:50 Skills Gained from Military Service

27:08 The Collective Effort of Team Air Force

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1781203 410313cb-fbcc-4470-833d-e6892218ae68 2002 full 2 2 197 197 false Tue, 03 Dec 2024 05:00:27 GMT <![CDATA[Tim Nank:  The Evolution and Implications of Tactical Nuclear Weapons]]> Tim Nank, a former Naval Intelligence Officer, discusses the complexities and implications of tactical nuclear weapons. He explores the evolution, advantages, and potential use of these weapons in modern warfare, as well as the perceptions surrounding their effects. The conversation delves into the geopolitical landscape, the need for public education on nuclear issues, and the future of nuclear strategy amidst rising tensions globally.

Tim Nank, is a consultant for CACI International, an Adjunct Professor at Catholic University and a former intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy. He has over 20 years of national level experience in management with national security, intelligence collection and analysis, proliferation analysis, counter terrorism, and operations impacting issues at the highest strategic levels of government. Tim is a former White House Appointee that focused on nuclear weapon non-proliferation and counter-terrorism under President George W. Bush. After that, Tim continued his work in nuclear non-proliferation and counter-terrorism in a variety of intelligence agencies.

Additionally, Tim spent 16 years in the US Navy as an intelligence officer in an active duty and reserve capacity. He has served in a variety of different commands such as Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and aboard the USS PONCE-15 (AFSB-i). Tim has also been an Adjunct Professor at Trinity University (DC) teaching graduate classes for the School of Business and Graduate Studies and the School of Professional and Graduate Studies. He also consulted for companies such as SAIC, ANSER and Booz Allen Hamilton for a variety of different programs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tactical Nuclear Weapons

03:11 The Evolution and Advantages of Tactical Nuclear Weapons

05:54 Debate on Yield and Usability of Nuclear Weapons

09:00 Perceptions of Nuclear Weapons Effects

12:05 Geopolitical Implications of Tactical Nuclear Weapons

15:00 Future of Tactical Nuclear Weapons

17:53 Public Understanding and Education on Nuclear Weapons

20:56 Wishes for the Future of Nuclear Strategy

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1769612 5181ad72-f57a-46ed-ae24-f3f44ca7628b 1983 full 2 2 196 196 false Tue, 26 Nov 2024 05:00:17 GMT <![CDATA[Gen (Ret.) Robin Rand: Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute (OADII)]]> Jim Howe hosts Gen (Ret.) Robin Rand, the Executive Director of Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute (OADII) where they discuss the establishment of OADII and it's research is accelerating critical results for our nations security.

In his role, General Rand is the lead executive for the University of Oklahoma’s institute that concentrates on the four national defense strategic research areas of international security policy, modernization and sustainment resilience, cyberspace and information dominance, and spectrum dominance.

General (Ret) Rand served for over 40 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, including six overseas assignments, multiple flying assignments and duty as an air liaison officer with the U.S. Army, studies at the Naval War College, Pentagon staff assignments as a policy planner on the Joint staff, principle director for Middle East policy for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Director Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, and eight different command tours. His last Air Force position was Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, and Commander, Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command where he was responsible for the land and air legs of the Nation’s nuclear triad. He is a command pilot with over 5,100 flying hours, predominately in the F-16, including more than 480 combat hours.

After retiring from the Air Force in Sep 2018, he served as Chief Executive Officer for the Gary Sinise Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, Board of Directors member for Top Aces Corporation and the Air and Space Forces Association, trustee member for the United States Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation, LEONID board of advisors member, strategic advisor in government relations and public policy for Baker Donelson Law Firm, adjunct contract professor and senior mentor for United States Air Force, and senior consultant for several defense-related organizations

General (Ret) Rand has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Science from the United States Air Force Academy; Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Master of Arts Degree in National Security Policy from the Naval War College.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1758588 7c485b4b-bbbf-475d-9d2e-5258c09d6964 2140 full 2 2 195 195 false Tue, 19 Nov 2024 17:42:17 GMT <![CDATA[Aaron Holland: A Personal Journey in the Nuclear Field]]> Aaron Holland, a passionate young scholar in the field of nuclear deterrence, shares his journey from a master's student to a PhD candidate, discussing the complexities of nuclear strategy and the challenges he faced in military recruitment. He emphasizes the importance of networking, mentorship, and resilience in pursuing a career in the nuclear field. The conversation also touches on the need for greater awareness of career opportunities and the significance of paying it forward to the next generation of scholars.

Aaron Holland is a Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science at the University of Utah & an Analyst at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, specializing in international relations, complex deterrence theories, and comparative politics. His research focuses on nuclear weapons deterrence, rational and psychological factors in decision-making, and the intersection of narrative control and security dynamics. Aaron has published extensively on topics such as nuclear superiority, escalation dominance, and narrative influence in global security, and he currently serves as an analyst at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies. His work aims to bridge theoretical insights with practical applications in policy and international security.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Aaron Holland and His Journey

01:37 The Fascination with Nuclear Deterrence

04:21 Challenges in Military Recruitment and Personal Journey

08:07 Navigating Academic Paths in Nuclear Studies

10:53 Networking and Finding Mentors

14:53 Creating Opportunities in the Nuclear Field

18:54 Pursuing a Career in Nuclear Practice

23:41 Wishes for Workforce Development

27:34 Increasing Awareness of Career Opportunities

32:25 Final Thoughts and Advice for the Next Generation

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1746434 4dc1e37e-0150-4b90-b688-b339b71b6671 2151 full 2 2 194 194 false Tue, 12 Nov 2024 05:00:28 GMT <![CDATA[Robert Peters: Escalation; A Tool for Deterrence]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Bob Peters discusses the often-misunderstood concept of escalation in national security. He explores how escalation is perceived negatively by many national security professionals, leading to a risk-averse approach that can undermine deterrence. Peters argues that the U.S. needs to embrace escalation as a strategic tool, especially in the context of being a status quo power. The conversation also touches on the challenges within military education and the need for a shift in mindset regarding the use of military force.

Robert Peters is a Research Fellow for Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense in The Heritage Foundation’s Allison Center for National Security. Prior to joining Heritage, Peters served as the lead strategist at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, where he oversaw the office that developed the Agency’s five-year strategy, conducted the Agency’s research and tabletop exercise program, and executed Agency-level program evaluations. Leading a team of forty-two people, Peters revamped the research function within the Agency and oversaw the Department of Defense’s Track 1.5 and Track 2 strategic dialogues with allies and partners.

For many years, Peters served as a Senior Research Fellow at National Defense University’s Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, where he focused on nuclear deterrence issues, countering weapons of mass destruction, and counterproliferation.

In the first Obama Administration, Peters served as the Special Advisor for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he worked on the New START nuclear arms control treaty, the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review, and the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review.

In addition, Peters held positions at Northrop Grumman and the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.

A graduate of Miami University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Peters has lectured at National War College, Missouri State University, Army War College, and the United States Naval Academy

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Escalation in National Security

05:41 Understanding Escalation as a Tool

12:46 The Impact of Status Quo on Escalation

19:38 Challenges in Military Thinking

26:59 Wishes for Military Strategy Reform

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1734448 7e22ecf7-52d1-4d2c-b805-9640afd3edc1 2190 full 2 2 193 193 false Tue, 05 Nov 2024 05:00:17 GMT <![CDATA[Zak Kallenborn: AI safety Legislation and Autonomous Drones: A New Era in Combat]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Zak Kallenborn discusses the implications of AI legislation, particularly California's SB 1047, and its intersection with national security and weapons proliferation. He explores the potential risks of AI in biological research and the challenges of regulating such technologies. The conversation shifts to the evolving role of AI in drone warfare, including the use of autonomous drones in combat and their potential impact on nuclear weapons monitoring.

Zachary is an Adjunct Fellow (Non-resident) Strategic Technologies Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) as well as a Policy Fellow at the Center for Security Policy Studies, George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government. He has published over 50 articles on autonomous weapons, weapons of mass destruction, and apocalyptic terrorism in a wide range of peer-reviewed, wonky, and popular outlets, including the Brookings Institution, Foreign Policy, Slate, Terrorism and Political Violence, and Parameters. Journalists have written about and shared that research in the New York Times, NPR, Forbes, the New Scientist, WIRED, and the BBC, among dozens of others in dozens of languages.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1723031 c3c07303-a4b1-45ef-a27f-5545417be01d 2207 full 2 2 192 192 false Tue, 29 Oct 2024 04:01:16 GMT <![CDATA[General (Ret) Robin Rand:  A Fighter Pilot's Journey to Commander of AF Global Strike Command]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Jim Howe interviews General Robin Rand, a recently retired Air Force general with a remarkable 40-year career. The conversation covers General Rand's early influences, his journey through flight training, and his various global assignments during pivotal moments in history, including the Cold War and the aftermath of 9/11. The discussion also delves into his leadership roles, particularly in the context of the Air Force's evolving focus on nuclear deterrence and the establishment of the Air Force Global Strike Command. General Rand shares insights on the importance of strategic deterrence and the dedication of the men and women serving in the Air Force.

General (Ret) Robin Rand is the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute (OADII). In this role, he is the lead executive for the University of Oklahoma’s institute that concentrates on the four national defense strategic research areas of international security policy, modernization and sustainment resilience, cyberspace and information dominance, and spectrum dominance.

General (Ret) Rand served for over 40 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, including six overseas assignments, multiple flying assignments and duty as an air liaison officer with the U.S. Army, studies at the Naval War College, Pentagon staff assignments as a policy planner on the Joint staff, principle director for Middle East policy for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Director Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, and eight different command tours. His last Air Force position was Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, and Commander, Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command where he was responsible for the land and air legs of the Nation’s nuclear triad. He is a command pilot with over 5,100 flying hours, predominately in the F-16, including more than 480 combat hours.

After retiring from the Air Force in Sep 2018, he served as Chief Executive Officer for the Gary Sinise Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, Board of Directors member for Top Aces Corporation and the Air and Space Forces Association, trustee member for the United States Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation, LEONID board of advisors member, strategic advisor in government relations and public policy for Baker Donelson Law Firm, adjunct contract professor and senior mentor for United States Air Force, and senior consultant for several defense-related organizations.

General (Ret) Rand has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Science from the United States Air Force Academy; Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Master of Arts Degree in National Security Policy from the Naval War College.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1712325 25e11299-e54e-45ae-9285-5b4e5648b327 2330 full 2 2 191 191 false Tue, 22 Oct 2024 04:10:07 GMT <![CDATA[Robert Peters: Deterrence and the Israeli Response]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam Lowther and Bob Peters discuss the implications of the October 7th anniversary, focusing on the ongoing conflict in Israel and the broader Middle East. They explore the failures of deterrence leading up to the attack, the complexities of Iran's nuclear ambitions, and the evolving dynamics between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The conversation also delves into the historical context of the Palestinian issue.

Robert Peters is a Research Fellow for Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense in The Heritage Foundation’s Allison Center for National Security. Prior to joining Heritage, Peters served as the lead strategist at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, where he oversaw the office that developed the Agency’s five-year strategy, conducted the Agency’s research and tabletop exercise program, and executed Agency-level program evaluations. Leading a team of forty-two people, Peters revamped the research function within the Agency and oversaw the Department of Defense’s Track 1.5 and Track 2 strategic dialogues with allies and partners.

For many years, Peters served as a Senior Research Fellow at National Defense University’s Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, where he focused on nuclear deterrence issues, countering weapons of mass destruction, and counterproliferation.

In the first Obama Administration, Peters served as the Special Advisor for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he worked on the New START nuclear arms control treaty, the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review, and the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review.

In addition, Peters held positions at Northrop Grumman and the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.

A graduate of Miami University and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Peters has lectured at National War College, Missouri State University, Army War College, and the United States Naval Academy

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of October 7th

03:02 Deterrence Failures and the Israeli Response

05:59 Iran's Nuclear Ambitions and Regional Dynamics

08:45 The Future of Israel and Iran Relations

11:49 The Role of Arab Nations and Regional Politics

14:47 The Palestinian Perspective and Historical Context

18:03 Bob's Wishes for Peace and Resolution

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1704274 260c1c20-4e34-4adf-a6b4-16f6f283b721 2069 full 2 2 190 190 false Tue, 15 Oct 2024 12:31:49 GMT <![CDATA[Christopher Stone: Dynamic Parity, Arms Control, and Military Strategy]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam and Chris Stone engage in a deep discussion about the concept of dynamic parity in nuclear deterrence. They explore the implications of parity versus superiority in military strategy, the challenges of arms control, and the political landscape affecting defense spending. The conversation highlights the need for modernization in the U.S. nuclear arsenal and the importance of understanding adversaries' capabilities and strategies.

Christopher Stone is a Senior Fellow for Space Deterrence Studies at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies and Host of Real Space Strategy podcast. He previously served as special assistant to the deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1688649 0a105326-7ac4-4732-83aa-949acf4dc7f0 2286 full 2 2 189 189 false Tue, 08 Oct 2024 04:50:14 GMT <![CDATA[Capt. (Ret.) Brad Baker - Nuclear Propulsion, Merging Energetics, and Additive Manufacturing]]> Captain Retired Brad Baker discusses the development of the nuclear engineering program at the U.S. Naval Academy and the recruitment of nuclear propulsion officers. He emphasizes the importance of technical training and the opportunities available in the Navy for those with a nuclear engineering background. Brad also talks about the additive manufacturing program at the Naval Academy and its significance for the Navy. He envisions the merging of energetics and additive manufacturing, as well as the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in additive manufacturing and highlights the need for advancements in the qualification of additive manufacturing parts.

Proudly starting his military career as an enlisted Sailor, Dr. Brad Baker completed a distinguished 36-year career in the Navy retiring as a Captain with degrees in Marine Engineering, Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He served in a variety of leadership positions in submarines followed by over 10 years as a Permanent Military Professor at the United States Naval Academy where he was one of few military members promoted to Associate Professor. A strong advocate for the Naval Academy and education, he has the longest tenure as chairman of the Naval Academy’s Admission Board serving in that capacity for 7 years. He has received multiple award recognitions including teaching awards, selection as one of the 20 most influential academics in smart manufacturing in 2021, the first ever education and workforce development award by America Makes in 2024, and other awards. Following his retirement from the military, he became Principal Engineer for Energetics Technology Center bringing his leadership and technical expertise to expand the engineering analysis and strategic policy around energetic materials and advanced manufacturing. His technical areas of expertise include materials science, nuclear engineering, microscopy, and additive manufacturing.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:27 Establishing the Nuclear Engineering Program at the Naval Academy

05:52 Recruiting Nuclear Propulsion Officers

10:11 The Significance of Additive Manufacturing at the Naval Academy

17:29 Merging Energetics and Additive Manufacturing

20:39 Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Additive Manufacturing

29:16 Advancements in Qualification of Additive Manufacturing Parts

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1678003 e435fa2f-e523-487a-a327-e31f25c21f76 1965 full 2 2 188 188 false Tue, 01 Oct 2024 04:01:31 GMT <![CDATA[Adam Lowther, Ph.D. - The Need for Dynamic Parity]]> Dr. Adam Lowther joins guest host, Jim Howe, to discuss the current state of America's nuclear deterrent and proposes a new approach called Dynamic Parity. He explains that Dynamic Parity aims to create a balance of nuclear capability between the US and autocratic regimes, prevent superiority of adversaries, enhance extended deterrence, and manage the growth or decline of nuclear weapons. Lowther emphasizes the importance of transparency and clear communication to avoid ambiguity and misinterpretation. He also offers recommendations, including the need for a national debate on defense spending, prioritizing nuclear capabilities, and adhering to the Weinberger Doctrine before using force.

Dr. Adam Lowther is the host of NucleCast, the official podcast of the ANWA Deterrence Center, and Vice President for Research at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies. Previously, Dr. Lowther served as the Director of Strategic Deterrence Programs at the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska, U.S. Strategic Command's University Affiliated Research Center. Prior to joining NSRI, Dr. Lowther served as the first director of the department of multi-domain operations (MDO) at the Army Management Staff College (AMSC), was a professor at the U.S. Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies, founding director of the School of Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies, Kirtland AFB and director of the Center for Academic and Professional Journals at the Air Force Research Institute (AFRI), Maxwell AFB.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:31 Current State of American Nuclear Deterrent

05:09 The Changing Geopolitical Landscape

12:14 Introducing Dynamic Parity

20:20 Importance of Transparency and Clear Communication

22:44 Recommendations for a Stronger Nuclear Deterrent

28:39 Three Wishes for the Topic

32:06 Conclusion

https://thinkdeterrence.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dynamic-Parity-Report.pdf

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1667723 8613be72-b7b5-440b-af08-9eb70383038f 2017 full 2 2 187 187 false Tue, 24 Sep 2024 04:01:08 GMT <![CDATA[Richard Fisher: China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, A Dangerous Alliance]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Rick Fisher, senior fellow with the International Assessment and Strategy Center, talks about the current state of North Korea's nuclear program. Fisher predicts that by the mid-2030s, North Korea will have the ability to conduct a catastrophic first strike against the United States. He credits the work of other experts in the field and discusses the development of North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and multiple independently targetable warheads (MIRVs). Fisher also highlights the close relationship between China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran in their pursuit of global hegemony and the need for the United States to strengthen its nuclear deterrent capabilities and missile defense systems.

Mr. Richard D. Fisher, Jr. is a Senior Fellow with the International Assessment and Strategy Center. In 2024 he joined the Advisory Board of the Free Press Foundation and in 2016 he joined the Advisory Board of the Global Taiwan Institute and is a columnist for the Taipei Times.

He previously worked with the Center for Security Policy, Jamestown Foundation China Brief, U.S. House of Representatives Republican Policy Committee, and The Heritage Foundation. He is the author of China’s Military Modernization, Building for Regional and Global Reach (Praeger, 2008, Stanford University Press, 2010, Taiwan Ministry of National Defense translation 2012) Since 1996 he has covered scores of international arms exhibits and his articles have been published in the Jane’s Intelligence Review, Jane’s Defence Weekly, Aviation Week and Space Technology, Armed Forces Journal, Far Eastern Economic Review, Asian Wall Street Journal, Defense News, The Epoch Times and The Washington Times. He has studied at Georgetown University and received a B.A. (Honors) in 1981 from Eisenhower College.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:02 North Korea's Growing Nuclear Threat

06:38 North Korea's Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles

08:06 Possible Collaboration with Pakistan on MIRV Capabilities

11:16 The Relationship Between North Korea and Russia

18:55 The Dangerous Alliance of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran

25:56 The Need to Strengthen the United States' Nuclear Deterrent

32:22 Wishes for the Future

36:51 Conclusion

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1657633 0db0ef74-64ad-421a-ac9c-87e7dd2fd40b 2330 full 2 2 186 186 false Tue, 17 Sep 2024 04:00:26 GMT <![CDATA[Major David Phillips - Taking Bold Action for Strategic Stability in East Asia]]> Major David Phillips discusses his article on the feasibility, acceptability, and suitability of redeploying non-strategic nuclear weapons to South Korea. He highlights the need for the US to re-examine its policy goal of achieving denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and suggests that the redeployment of nuclear weapons would strengthen deterrence and assurance in the region. He emphasizes the importance of fully informed conversations among US policymakers and the need for bold action to ensure strategic stability in East Asia.

Major David Phillips (Jobs) is a Nuclear and Missile Operations Officer in the United States Air Force, current student at the School of Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies (SANDS), member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Mid-Career Cadre, and former Nuclear Scholar with the CSIS. His latest nuclear policy research, “Nuclear Redeployment: A Roadmap for Returning Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons to the Korean Peninsula,” examines the feasibility, acceptability, and suitability of the United States returning nuclear weapons to the Republic of Korea; this research was nominated and selected for the 2024 General Larry D. Welch Deterrence Writing Award. David has over 9,000 nuclear command and control alert hours in support of our national defense and strategic deterrent across three nuclear weapon platforms. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree and Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Denver as well as a graduate certificate in Great Power Competition from the Naval Postgraduate School.

(PDF) Nuclear Redeployment: A Roadmap for Returning Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons to the Korean Peninsula (researchgate.net)

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Congratulations on Winning the Larry D. Welch Writing Award

02:06 Motivation Behind the Article: The Dangerous Situation on the Korean Peninsula

04:18 Main Findings: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Suitability of Redeployment

06:48 Costs and Affordability of the Redeployment Proposal

08:49 US Policy and the Acceptability of Redeploying Nuclear Weapons

11:20 Suitability of Redeployment as a Solution to Deterrence Challenges

23:35 Re-examining US Policy on Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula

29:59 Taking Bold Action for Strategic Stability in East Asia

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1647904 9fbc0d2b-aa10-4b14-b9d1-f7e38c43d644 2038 full 2 2 185 185 false Tue, 10 Sep 2024 04:00:51 GMT <![CDATA[Lieutenant General James Kowalski, USAF (Ret) Part 2 - Challenges and Accomplishments of Air Force Global Strike Command]]> Part 2 of this history of Air Force Global Strike Command features former Commander Jim Kowalski. He discusses the challenges and accomplishments of standing up the Global Strike Command. The conversation covers topics such as basing decisions, culture change, resourcing, and the importance of maintaining a strong nuclear force. Lt. Gen. Kowalski emphasizes the need for a public awakening to the dangers posed by peer and near-peer adversaries and the importance of recognizing and honoring the mission of the nuclear force. He also shares a story about General LeMay's focus on excellence in the job.

General Kowalski was commissioned in 1979 through the ROTC program at the University of Cincinnati. He held a variety of operational commands, including a bomb squadron, an operations group, a bomb wing, and an air control wing over his 35-year career. Kowalski retired from active duty on 1 September 2015.

Kowalski's experience includes command of the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia where he led a combined wing of B-1Bs, E-3s and KC-135s for operation Iraqi Freedom. His previous staff assignments include Headquarters Air Combat Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In January 2009 he led the organization and activation of the Air Force’s first new major command in 27 years and subsequently served as the second Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. In that position he oversaw the modernization of the Air Force’s nuclear-capable bomber and missile systems and developed the strategic forces five-year plan. His last assignment was Deputy Commander of U.S. Strategic Command.

A command pilot, he has over 4,600 flight hours, including 127 combat hours, in the B-1, B-52, and E-3. His decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Following military service, Kowalski was a vice-president for the Northrop Grumman Corporation. He supported the company’s portfolio of defense systems including the B-2, B-21, and the Minuteman III and Sentinel ballistic missile systems. In 2023, he retired from Northrop Grumman and now advises on management and defense issues

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Recap

00:49 Stand-up of the Global Strike Command

03:20 Basing Decisions and Location

06:29 Challenges of Activation and Moving Personnel

09:24 Structure, Authorities, and Culture Change

16:24 Resourcing: Personnel and Funding Challenges

19:29 Reemphasizing Nuclear Competencies and Strengths

25:32 Budget Constraints and Future Challenges

32:00 Wish for a Public Awakening to the Dangers

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1643148 9cae1dd5-8897-4bf6-802a-0fc719723005 2369 full 2 2 184 184 false Thu, 05 Sep 2024 04:01:14 GMT <![CDATA[Lieutenant General James Kowalski, USAF (Ret) Part 1 - The Creation of Air Force Global Strike Command]]> In this Legacy Series, Lt. Gen. James Kowalski discusses the creation of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) in response to incidents that highlighted the need for improved nuclear enterprise management. The incidents included the accidental shipment of warheads and fuses, which raised concerns about operational oversight and surety processes. The stand-up of AFGSC aimed to consolidate the Air Force's nuclear enterprise and ensure a dedicated focus on nuclear deterrence. General Kowalski emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong nuclear mission and integrating nuclear planning with conventional operations. The conversation will continue in a second episode.

General Kowalski was commissioned in 1979 through the ROTC program at the University of Cincinnati. He held a variety of operational commands, including a bomb squadron, an operations group, a bomb wing, and an air control wing over his 35-year career. Kowalski retired from active duty on 1 September 2015.

Kowalski's experience includes command of the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia where he led a combined wing of B-1Bs, E-3s and KC-135s for operation Iraqi Freedom. His previous staff assignments include Headquarters Air Combat Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In January 2009 he led the organization and activation of the Air Force’s first new major command in 27 years and subsequently served as the second Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. In that position he oversaw the modernization of the Air Force’s nuclear-capable bomber and missile systems and developed the strategic forces five-year plan. His last assignment was Deputy Commander of U.S. Strategic Command.

A command pilot, he has over 4,600 flight hours, including 127 combat hours, in the B-1, B-52, and E-3. His decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Following military service, Kowalski was a vice-president for the Northrop Grumman Corporation. He supported the company’s portfolio of defense systems including the B-2, B-21, and the Minuteman III and Sentinel ballistic missile systems. In 2023, he retired from Northrop Grumman and now advises on management and defense issues.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1638847 a4484144-8f91-492a-ad1a-5fa61ba5ecfe 2151 full 2 2 183 183 false Tue, 03 Sep 2024 04:01:15 GMT <![CDATA[Lucian Niemeyer: Promoting Advanced Nuclear Reactor Deployment]]> The Honorable Lucian Niemeyer, a leading voice in the policymaking community for advanced nuclear capabilities, discusses the work of the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power (UCAN Power), a non-profit entity since 2021, in promoting advanced nuclear reactor deployment. He emphasizes the importance of nuclear power for grid reliability and carbon reduction. Niemeyer also highlights the need to develop a strong civilian nuclear workforce to support national defense and restore the nuclear industrial base. He discusses the potential of microreactors for powering military installations and the importance of accelerating the regulatory process for advanced nuclear technology. He calls for prioritizing grid reliability and restoring US global leadership in nuclear power.

Lucian’s national security expertise spans five decades as an Air Force and the Air National Guard Officer, Professional Staff Member on the Senate Armed Service Committee, and in the Pentagon and White House. Throughout his professional career, he has been a strong advocate for the use of clean, safe advanced nuclear power to enhance energy reliability and resiliency.

Niemeyer previously was appointed by the President and served as an Assistant Secretary of Defense managing the world’s largest real property portfolio valued at a trillion dollars. He was responsible for identifying and mitigating risk to national security programs, as well as improving energy and environmental resilience through alternate power generation development and investments in the protection of natural resources. During this time, he worked extensively with the Departments of Energy and Interior to balance the need for energy independence with the sustainment of national military capabilities.

He also served on the professional staff of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Service from 2003 to 2014 providing expertise and counsel on policies and programs for the energy programs supporting our Nation’s security.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of UCAN Power

04:00 The Role of Nuclear Power in the Nuclear Triad

07:59 The Importance of a Strong Civilian Nuclear Workforce

13:45 The Use of Microreactors for Military Installations

17:45 Grid Reliability and the Need for Nuclear Power

25:07 Energy Priorities for the Next Administration

28:59 Bringing Advanced Nuclear Technology to the Nation

33:10 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1627550 85f35b46-3057-4307-a50d-d5ce412cdddd 2167 full 2 2 182 182 false Tue, 27 Aug 2024 04:00:48 GMT <![CDATA[Andrew Metrick and Philip Sheers - Escalation Management in a Protracted War]]> Guest host, Jim Howe, interviews Andrew Metrick and Phil Shears from the Center for New American Security (CNAS) on escalation management in a protracted war with China. They discuss the implications of a potential conflict with China and the need for the US to adapt its deterrence strategies. The researchers conducted tabletop exercises to explore different scenarios and found unsettling logics that could compel the use of nuclear weapons. They also highlight the importance of alliance management and the need for the US to engage in discussions with allies like Japan and Australia.

Andrew Metrick is a Fellow with Defense Program at CNAS. His research focuses on the linkages between strategic objectives and operational plans with a specific interest in understanding the implications of protracted, global conflict against peer states. In this capacity, he employs a range of qualitative and quantitative research tools to include operations research, GIS analysis, OSINT collection, and wargaming. Prior to joining CNAS, he was a campaign analyst and wargamer at Northrop Grumman. In this role, he conducted strategic and theater level analysis to quantify munitions, posture, and logistics implications of peer conflict. This analysis and the associated models received multiple awards for innovation. Early in his career, he was an Associate Fellow with the International Security Program at CSIS where he published several studies focused on maritime issues in Asia and Europe. Metrick holds a MA in security studies from Georgetown University and a BA in international affairs from the George Washington University with an academic interest in military innovation theory and technology diffusion. His writing has appeared in Proceedings, War on the Rocks, Defense One, and CIMSEC.

Philip Sheers is a Research Assistant for the Defense Program. His research focuses on escalation management, protracted war, force posture, and nuclear deterrence. Sheers also supports the CNAS Gaming Lab and the CNAS Mission Brief speaker series. Prior to joining CNAS, he worked as a Risk Analyst at IPSOS Public Affairs and served as a Research Assistant to Dr. Alfred Connable. Sheers graduated from Kenyon College with a BA in International Studies and is completing his MA in Security Studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where he has also contributed to the Georgetown Security Studies Review.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1617590 461544a0-2dc5-48e2-8f2f-998604f122de 2325 full 2 2 181 181 false Tue, 20 Aug 2024 04:00:36 GMT <![CDATA[Fei-Ling Wang, Ph.D. - China Transforming the World Order]]> Professor Fei-Ling Wang tells NucleCast about his new book, 'The China Race: Global Competition for Alternative World Orders.' He argues that the United States and China are engaged in a global competition that goes beyond relative power and influence. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seeks to transform the world order into a hierarchical system with China at the top, while the United States aims to preserve the existing order based on democratic values and the rule of law. Wang emphasizes that the outcome of this competition has high stakes, as losing could result in the withering away of the American way of life and the nationhood and statehood of the US. He also highlights the importance of providing Chinese students with a comprehensive education that includes social sciences, humanities, logic, and history, in order to foster critical thinking and a better understanding of the world.

Fei-Ling “Phil” Wang, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania), Professor at Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology (fw@gatech.edu). His research interests are comparative and international political economy, U.S.-East Asian relations, and East Asia and China studies.

Wang has published nine books (two co-edited) in two languages including the latest, The China Race: Global Competition for Alternative World Order (SUNY Press, 2024). He has also published dozens of book chapters and journal articles in four languages, including op-eds in newspapers like The New York Times and Christian Science Monitor.

Wang taught at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point) and U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs), and held visiting and adjunct/honorary positions in institutions like European University Institute in Italy, Sciences Po in France, National Sun Yat-sen University and National Taiwan University in Taiwan, National University of Singapore, Renmin University and Anhui Normal University in China, University of Macau, University of Tokyo, and Sungkyunkwan University and Yonsei University in Korea.

Wang has guest-lectured in over 50 universities worldwide and appeared in many national and international news media such as Al Jazeera, AFP, AP, BBC, CNN, The Financial Times, The New York Times, Radio China International, South China Morning Post, VOA, The Wall Street Journal, and the Xinhua News Agency. He has had numerous research grants including a Minerva Chair grant, a Fulbright Senior Scholar grant and a Hitachi Fellowship. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1609900 11fa0e84-02ef-4b56-a939-fdfec9a9ebda 1954 full 2 2 180 180 false Tue, 13 Aug 2024 04:00:47 GMT <![CDATA[Bryan Clark - Rethinking the Approach to Deterrence: The Need for Force Design Planning]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, talks about the challenges and implications of nuclear modernization. They discuss the growing threats from China, Russia, and other countries, and the need for the United States to rethink its approach to deterrence. They also explore the budget constraints and acquisition processes that impact nuclear modernization efforts. Clark suggests that the Department of Defense should eliminate the joint requirements process and focus on force planning and design. He also calls for a reexamination of the triad recapitalization plan and a renewed emphasis on force design within each service.

Bryan Clark is a senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at Hudson Institute. He studies naval operations, cyber and electromagnetic warfare, autonomous systems, military competitions, and wargaming. From 2013 to 2019, Mr. Clark was a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) where he led studies for the DoD Office of Net Assessment, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Defense Advanced Research Products Agency on new technologies and the future of warfare.

Prior to joining CSBA in 2013, Mr. Clark was a career enlisted and officer submariner. His last assignment was as director of the Chief of Naval Operations Commander’s Action Group, where he led development of Navy strategy and implemented new initiatives in electromagnetic spectrum operations, undersea warfare, expeditionary operations, and personnel and readiness management.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

02:09 Growing Threats and Implications of Nuclear Modernization

09:47 Budget Constraints and Acquisition Challenges

18:56 Rethinking Defense Priorities

27:05 Eliminating Joint Requirements and Focusing on Force Planning

29:06 Rethinking the Triad Recapitalization Plan

32:22 The Importance of Force Design

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1598581 8713146d-5740-4e4b-a0e0-412cb282f566 2073 full 2 2 179 179 false Tue, 06 Aug 2024 04:01:20 GMT <![CDATA[Bruce Klingner - Recent Developments in U.S.-South Korea Relations]]> Bruce Klingner is a Senior Fellow at the Heritage Foundation and an expert on South Korea and North Korea. He discusses the recent developments in the relationship between the United States and South Korea, including the Washington declaration and the NATO summit. He also explores the topic of South Korea's potential nuclearization and the level of understanding and education on nuclear issues. The conversation touches on the concerns of entanglement and abandonment, the impact of South Korea building its own nuclear arsenal, and the possibility of the return of U.S. nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula. Klingner emphasizes the importance of the U.S. affirming its commitment to its treaty obligations and maintaining current force levels on the peninsula. He also discusses the need for improved relations between South Korea and Japan, greater security cooperation in the region, and South Korea's role in addressing transgressions by China and Russia.

Klingner’s analysis and writing about North Korea, South Korea and Japan, as well as related issues, are informed by his 20 years of service at the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency. Klingner, who joined Heritage in 2007, has testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

He is a frequent commentator in U.S. and foreign media. His articles and commentary have appeared in major American and foreign publications and he is a regular guest on broadcast and cable news outlets. He is a regular contributor to the international and security sections of The Daily Signal.

From 1996 to 2001, Klingner was CIA’s Deputy Division Chief for Korea, responsible for the analysis of political, military, economic and leadership issues for the president of the United States and other senior U.S. policymakers. In 1993-1994, he was the chief of CIA’s Korea branch, which analyzed military developments during a nuclear crisis with North Korea.

Klingner is a distinguished graduate of the National War College, where he received a master’s degree in National Security Strategy in 2002. He also holds a master’s degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Defense Intelligence College and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Middlebury College in Vermont.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:29 The Growing Discussion on South Korea's Nuclearization

09:13 The Need for Education and Transparency on Nuclear Issues

14:49 Affirming Commitment and Maintaining Force Levels

18:01 Improving Relations with Japan and Increasing Security Cooperation

22:24 South Korea's Role in Addressing Transgressions by China and Russia

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1587619 6a7786f3-6e79-4bc9-88be-36513e3bd9b4 2316 full 2 2 178 178 false Tue, 30 Jul 2024 04:00:44 GMT <![CDATA[Dave Jonas and Patrick Rhoads - The Challenges of Nuclear Disarmament]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam interviews Pat Rhoads and Dave Jonas, who have been writing a series of articles on nuclear issues. They discuss the strategic environment, the potential for nuclear disarmament, and the challenges of nuclear modernization.

David S. Jonas is a partner at the law firm of Fluet, Huber & Hoang (FH+H). His practice includes corporate transactions, employment law, government contracts, trial and appellate litigation, international law, administrative/regulatory compliance and investigations. He has extensive experience in national security issues and is recognized as one of a handful of experts worldwide in nuclear nonproliferation law. He was a career member of the Senior Executive Service and served as General Counsel of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) where he negotiated numerous multilateral and bilateral international agreements to include the U.S. – India Civil Nuclear Agreement. He also served as General Counsel of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.

Prior to his civilian service, he was a career Marine Corps officer where he held a wide variety of command and staff billets. He served as nuclear nonproliferation planner for the Joint Chiefs of Staff negotiating multiple international agreements and has worked extensively with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Conference on Disarmament, and the United Nations. He is one of the only judge advocates to have commanded two units, including a company in an infantry regiment, the 5th Marines. He argued the case of Davis v. United States, 512, U.S. 452 (1994) at the U.S. Supreme Court becoming the first judge advocate in the history of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force to do so. He received the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces Award for Excellence in Legal Writing and was selected as the Outstanding Career Judge Advocate in the Marine Corps. He concluded his military service as a lieutenant colonel.

Patrick Rhoads had a thirty-eight-year career as an engineer with the National Nuclear Security Administration. He started with Naval Reactors as an ensign in the Navy and worked his whole career in the uses of nuclear energy for national security missions. His career included nuclear design, construction, and operations. Late in his NNSA career, he led many nuclear construction activities, including billion-dollar acquisitions, and served as the Chief of Staff in three different organizations. After retiring from NNSA in 2020, he joined the National Strategic Research Institute as the Director of Nuclear Research. NSRI is a University Affiliated Research Center, chartered by STRATCOM, whose mission is to address Weapons of Mass Destruction.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1576656 a178b203-23cc-411c-ab89-0ce3da01e1e6 2111 full 2 2 177 177 false Tue, 23 Jul 2024 04:40:22 GMT <![CDATA[Jonathan Ventura - Unlocking Opportunities: Bringing Talent to the National Security Field]]> Jonathan Ventura, a career coach at Montana State University, discusses his efforts to bring talented students into the nuclear weapons complex and national security field. He emphasizes the importance of helping students understand the wide range of opportunities available to them, regardless of their academic discipline. Ventura also highlights the need for employers to communicate the importance of their mission and the benefits they offer, such as educational support. He shares the university's initiatives, including career fairs, capstone projects, and networking events, to connect students with potential employers. Ventura also expresses his wishes for increased collaboration between universities and national labs, the continued scientific excellence of the labs, and a good snow season in Montana.

Mr. Ventura's 35-year career in national security has spanned several organizations including: the ANSER Corporation, the Department of Energy, Office of the Deputy Administrator for Weapons, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, Office of the Principal Associate Director Weapons Program. At the Department of Energy, he served as the Executive Officer to six Assistant Secretaries handling many of the day-to-day congressional interactions and interagency relationships. While at Los Alamos, he was the director of the Office of Nuclear and Military Affairs which oversaw many of the interactions with the Air Force Missile Wings in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota. He also managed Los Alamos’ educational efforts at the Nation’s service academies. He served as editor of the lab’s award-winning national security magazine, National Security Science, which he helped redesign to make it more user friendly.

00:00 Introduction and Background of Jonathan Ventura

01:29 Helping Students Find Meaningful Work in National Security

09:46 Advice for Success in Recruiting and Retaining Talent

14:08 Opportunities for Students Without STEM Degrees

20:07 The Need for a Network of Retired Professionals in Universities

25:39 The Importance of Career Fairs and Early Preparation

29:02 The Scientific Excellence of National Labs

31:33 Jonathan Ventura's Three Wishes

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1568656 ea81a1e3-f97c-46f5-b8a4-bab65b7fb47f 2082 full 2 2 176 176 false Tue, 16 Jul 2024 04:50:21 GMT <![CDATA[Jeremy Prichard - The History of 20th Air Force]]> Dr. Jeremy Prichard, the command historian at 20th Air Force, discusses the history of 20th Air Force, its origins, transition to the ICBM force, and the challenges faced in fielding the ICBMs. He also shares insights on the Minuteman 3 deployment, the Peacekeeper, and the challenges of modernizing the infrastructure for the Sentinel program.

Dr. Jeremy P. Prichard is the Historian for Headquarters Twentieth Air Force, F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. His duties include preserving and documenting the HQ’s historical record. He conducts historical research for the 20 AF commander and staff and advises on diverse historical matters.

Prior to his current position, Dr. Prichard was Historian for the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, performing similar responsibilities as his current role. During that time, he received assignment as Historian for the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, Kabul, Afghanistan, producing monthly unit histories and offering guidance on standardized unit emblems. Before entering civilian public service, Dr. Prichard served four years in the US Army at Fort Hood, Texas. Following his Army enlistment, he earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate of Philosophy degrees in History from the University of Kansas. His dissertation, “In Lincoln’s Shadow: The Civil War in Springfield, Illinois,” examined the political, economic, and social attitudes of the 16th US President’s community during the Sectional Crisis. Dr. Prichard’s publications focus on 19th Century American and US Air Force history. He has lectured in both military and academic settings on varied historical

Chapters:

00:00 Exploring the History of 20th Air Force and Its Transition to the ICBM Force

19:52 Challenges and Complexities of Fielding the ICBMs

35:29 The Future of 20th Air Force: Insights and Wishes

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1559492 dce08c31-0077-4c8d-8dd8-3c818238f8b2 2286 full 2 2 175 175 false Tue, 09 Jul 2024 04:00:23 GMT <![CDATA[Lindell Lucy - The Journey From Teacher to Nuclear Deterrence Advocate]]> Lindell Lucy shares his journey from teaching history in Hawaii to becoming interested in nuclear weapons and international security, particularly in the context of Taiwan's geopolitical situation. He discusses the need for nuclear deterrence and the potential acquisition of nuclear weapons by Taiwan as a means of self-defense against China's coercive actions. Lindell also presents three wishes related to public opinion polling, US presidential debate questions, and NucleCast.

Lindell Lucy is a high school teacher based in Hawaii. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stanford University. He is currently studying international relations in a master's degree program at the Harvard Extension School, where he just completed the coursework for a graduate certificate in nuclear deterrence. He has spent more than a decade living and traveling around East Asia. He has written numerous op-eds calling on the international community to provide uncompromising military and diplomatic support for Taiwan.

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1551120 a06d4dba-38d1-43ba-aaeb-7818235949ff 2255 full 2 2 174 174 false Tue, 02 Jul 2024 04:00:45 GMT <![CDATA[Muhammad Faisal - Pakistan's Nuclear Program ]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Mohammed Faisal about Pakistan's nuclear program. Faisal provides a brief history of Pakistan's nuclear program, starting from the 1960s when Pakistan and India went to war over Kashmir. He explains that Pakistan's decision to pursue a nuclear option was driven by the perceived threat from India and the loss of East Pakistan in the 1971 war. Faisal also discusses Pakistan's current threat perception, which is primarily India-centric, and its long-term goal of maintaining and sustaining its nuclear force. The role of the United States in influencing Pakistan's nuclear program is also explored.

Muhammad Faisal is a Ph.D. candidate in international relations at the University of Technology Sydney. Previously, he was Research Fellow at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad where his work focused on Pakistan’s regional relationships, particularly with China. He has also been visiting fellow at Center for Non-Proliferation Studies in Monterey, California and an SAV Visiting Fellow at Stimson Center. His current research focuses on Pakistan’s foreign policy as it navigates great-power competition.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of the Guest

01:19 The History of Pakistan's Nuclear Program

11:21 Pakistan's Long-Term Goals for its Nuclear Force

28:01 Closing Remarks and Wishes

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1536317 75bbb5aa-b064-4e54-9472-eb65a2a97165 2062 full 2 2 173 173 false Tue, 25 Jun 2024 04:00:45 GMT <![CDATA[Maj. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser - 20th Air Force: Capabilities and Opportunities]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Major General Stacey Huser, the 20th Air Force Commander, about the capabilities and challenges of the ICBM leg of the nuclear triad. They discuss the history of 20th Air Force, the aging Minuteman III missiles, and the importance of maintaining and sustaining the system. They also talk about the changes in the missile career path and the opportunities for leadership in the missile community. Major General Huser emphasizes the need for proper manning and resources to ensure the operational readiness of the ICBM force.

Maj. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser is responsible for more than 12,000 Airmen providing nuclear global strike and nuclear weapons sustainment for the U.S. Air Force.

Maj. Gen. Huser commissioned through Officer Training School in 1996 after earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Central College, Naperville, Illinois. She has extensive experience in space and missile operations. She has served as a space operations crew member, instructor and training manager, as well as an ICBM combat crew commander, evaluator, and chief of emergency war order plans. She also completed staff tours in the Secretary of the Air Force's Legislative Liaison Office and at United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). Maj. Gen. Huser commanded the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska; the 91st Missile Operations Group, Minot AFB, North Dakota; and the 90th Missile Wing at Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.

Prior to her current assignment, Maj. Gen. Huser served as the Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. In that role, she assisted the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs to maintain the safety, security, and reliability of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of 20th Air Force

03:27 The Challenges of Maintaining the Aging Minuteman III Missiles

08:15 Improvements in the Missile Career Path and Leadership Opportunities

16:13 Reflections on the Changes in the Past 10 Years

26:17 Three Wishes for the Missile Force

29:46 The Impact of Uncertain Budgets on the Missile Force

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1527860 65835c80-5f82-47ff-88a6-e752d683f3ae 2008 full 2 2 172 172 false Tue, 18 Jun 2024 04:00:58 GMT <![CDATA[B.G. (Ret.) Gregory S. Bowen - The Importance of Hedging]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Brigadier General Retired Greg Bowen about hedging in nuclear conflicts. They discuss the importance of hedging as a strategy to quickly react to unforeseen events in a conflict. They also emphasize the need for the president to have multiple options and tools in the toolkit to deal with different scenarios. The conversation touches on the concept of the hedge, the known/unknowns in triad recapitalization, and the need for the United States to maintain a strong deterrent against authoritarian regimes.

Greg’s 36-year military career culminated as the Deputy Director of Global Operations at U.S. Strategic Command, where he was responsible for Department of Defense space activities, ballistic missile defense, cyber operations, strategic deterrence, and nuclear command and control. He was part of the executive leadership team overseeing the operations of 162,000 people, billions of dollars’ worth of equipment, and our nation’s nuclear arsenal. In addition to his normal duties, Greg was certified as an Airborne Emergency Actions Officer and Designated Command Alternate; in those roles, he was one of a handful of officers certified to brief the President of the United States on nuclear response options. Greg was selected for Major General (2-star), but elected to retire from active duty to pursue other interests.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:14 The Importance of Hedging

08:06 The Role of Options in Nuclear Conflicts

19:18 Challenges in Triad Recapitalization

23:21 The Role of Deterrence Against Authoritarian Regimes

32:19 Three Wishes

34:20 Conclusion

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1518909 03be923f-22b8-416c-bde8-2e2b7c712998 2204 full 2 2 171 171 false Tue, 11 Jun 2024 04:00:59 GMT <![CDATA[Bruce Tarter - LLNL's Technology, the Development of Nuclear Weapons, and the Era of Stockpile Stewardship]]> Bruce Tarter is Director Emeritus of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and was the eighth director to lead the Laboratory since it was founded in 1952. This episode covers the history and influence of the lab's technology on policy and strategy, the development of nuclear weapons, and the era of stockpile stewardship. It also delves into the challenges and wishes for the future of nuclear arms control.

A theoretical physicist by training and experience, Bruce began his career at the Laboratory in 1967. As Director from 1994 to 2002 he led the Laboratory in its mission to ensure national security and apply science and technology to the important problems of our time. In particular he oversaw the development of stockpile stewardship during his tenure. Tarter received a SB from MIT and a PhD from Cornell. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and received the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Gold Medal and the Secretary of Energy’s Gold Award. He recently published “The American Lab” (Johns Hopkins University Press 2018) , a history of his Laboratory.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lawrence Livermore National Lab and Bruce Tarter

02:00 Influence of Technology on Policy and Strategy

05:09 Development and Impact of Nuclear Weapons Technology

16:18 The Era of Stockpile Stewardship

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1507426 5d4bfceb-fc0e-4558-afa0-f5ecccd36555 2198 full 2 2 170 170 false Tue, 04 Jun 2024 04:50:27 GMT <![CDATA[Thomas Ramos - The Importance of Capturing History to Inform Current Threats]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Tom Ramos, a physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, about the relevance of the early years of the Cold War to today's national security challenges. They discuss the lessons learned from the past and how they can inform our approach to handling current threats from Russia and China. They emphasize the importance of capturing and memorializing the history of this period and the need for strong policy analysts and integrated collaboration between the military, think tanks, and scientists. They also highlight the need for a sense of urgency and recognition of the serious threats we face.

For the past 40 years, Tom Ramos has been a physicist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he was a member of the nuclear team that developed the X-ray Laser for President Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative. He later supported US/USSR arms control negotiations for START and over a span of seventeen years he created and ran a program for the Department of Defense called CAPS.

Ramos, who graduated from West Point, commanded combat engineers before entering MIT to earn a degree in high energy physics.

His most recent venture was writing a book titled “From Berkeley to Berlin: How the Rad Lab Helped Avert Nuclear War,” which focuses on how the United States had the ability to stand up to Nikita Khrushchev, former leader of the Soviet Union, and his attempts to expand Soviet influence around the globe. The book brings individuals alive, especially those at Livermore, who played important roles in making the country safe during the Cold War.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:02 Relevance of the Early Cold War to Today's Challenges

06:41 Lessons from the Kennedy Era

08:09 Challenges of Nuclear Superiority and Modernization

11:26 The Need for Collaboration and Integration

21:30 Advice for Present Leadership

23:15 The Importance of History and Lessons Learned

28:13 Conclusion and Three Wishes

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1495296 15c1c1af-e4bd-4f2f-bfda-3ac5601e4117 1996 full 2 2 169 169 false Tue, 28 May 2024 04:00:41 GMT <![CDATA[William Hennigan - Bringing Nuclear Issues to the Forefront for Everyday People]]> William Hennigan, national security correspondent for the New York Times Opinion Section, discusses his series of articles on nuclear issues and the motivation behind them. He highlights the convergence of events such as modernization efforts, arms control treaties, and the war in Ukraine that prompted the New York Times to focus on nuclear issues. Hennigan aims to bring these issues to the forefront and make them understandable to everyday people. He also discusses the response from the professional community and the general public. He also provides insights for the nuclear enterprise on how to better communicate their perspective to journalists.

Mr. Hennigan has reported from more than two dozen countries across five continents, covering war, the arms trade, and the lives of U.S. service members.

Learn more: W.J. Hennigan - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

06:02 Discoveries and Highlights in Reporting

12:32 Improving Communication with the Nuclear Enterprise

23:42 Concerns and Trust in Journalistic Coverage

28:12 Three Wishes: North Korea, China, and US Modernization

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1485735 30a13995-8624-47d5-ac34-7d5e01c79bdd 2059 full 2 2 168 168 false Tue, 21 May 2024 04:30:17 GMT <![CDATA[ Greg Weaver - The Need for U.S. Strategy: Rebuilding and Expansion of the US Nuclear Weapons Production Infrastructure]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Greg Weaver, former Deputy Director for Strategic Stability in the Joint Staff J5 and nuclear policy expert, discusses the potential use of nuclear weapons in a Taiwan conflict and the role of nuclear weapons in deterring and fighting China. Weaver emphasizes the need for the US to determine its strategy regarding nuclear weapons in the face of the two-peer problem with Russia and China. He also advocates for the rapid rebuilding and expansion of the US nuclear weapons production infrastructure and the fielding of the SLCM-N theater nuclear weapon. Weaver's three wishes include the rapid modernization of the infrastructure, the fielding of SLCM-N, and for listeners to read the Strategic Posture Commission Report.

Mr. Weaver began his career working as a Congressional staffer in both the House and Senate, working for Reps. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Charles Bennett (D-FL) and Senator Carl Levin (D-MI). He spent 18 years as a Senior Analyst and Division Manager at SAIC in both San Diego, CA and Omaha, NE. While a contractor in Omaha, Mr. Weaver co-authored the Defense Department’s Deterrence Operations Joint Operating Concept and was the Director of the USSTRATCOM Strategic Deterrence Assessment Laboratory (SDAL).

Mr. Weaver returned to government in 2007 at US Strategic Command, serving as a Senior Analyst (GS-15) and as the Deputy J5 (SES-1). He was appointed by President Obama to be OSD Policy’s Principal Director for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy (SES-2) and closed out his full-time career serving over 6 years as the Deputy Director for Strategic Stability in the Joint Staff J5. In that role he was the principal nuclear, missile defense, space, cyber, and arms control policy and strategy advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Mr. Weaver is now the Principal at Strategy to Plans, LLC, a consulting firm he founded in 2022.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Greg Weaver

10:42 China's Perception of US Willingness to Use Nuclear Weapons

23:26 The Importance of SLCM-N and Theater Nuclear Weapons

30:22 Greg Weaver's Three Wishes

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1476640 ec43cd3a-5657-408f-ac77-2378746822f1 2103 full 2 2 167 167 false Tue, 14 May 2024 04:01:18 GMT <![CDATA[ Col. USAF (Ret.) Curtis McGiffin - Enhancing Decision-Making: AI-enabled NC3]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam and Colonel Curtis McGiffin discuss the need for an AI-enabled NC3 system with a dead hand. They argue that the current NC3 system and the decision-making process have significant problems that need to be addressed and propose using AI tools to enhance the decision-making process and improve the speed and effectiveness of the system. They also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of such a system and its importance for deterrence. The conversation highlights the need for the United States to modernize its nuclear command and control capabilities and consider new approaches to ensure the effectiveness of its deterrent.

Curtis McGiffin is the Vice President for Education and Co-founder of the National Institute for Deterrence Studies. His areas of expertise are deterrence theory education, grand strategy, and strategic triad operations. He also serves on the teaching faculty of the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies at Missouri State University, where he teaches graduate and doctorate courses in deterrence theory and grand strategy. Previously, he was the Associate Dean of the School of Strategic Force Studies at the Air Force Institute of Technology, where he led a robust portfolio of USAF professional continuing education programs supporting the AF nuclear enterprise. He also was the Executive Director of the Louisiana Tech Research Institute, where he designed and developed a catalog of Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications curriculum and courses for Air Force Global Strike Command’s workforce.

Colonel McGiffin retired with over 26 years of experience in the USAF as an aviator, commander, staff officer, and educator, most of which was supporting the USAF’s nuclear enterprise. Prior to his retirement from active duty, Colonel McGiffin was the Associate Dean of Faculty and Assistant Professor of Strategy and Deterrence at the National War College in Washington DC. He has served on the Joint Staff, HQ AF staff, and combatant command staff, as a squadron commander, and as the senior advisor to Iraq’s military Vice Chief of Staff. He was a Master Navigator and flight instructor with 2,750 flight hours in the E-4B, EC-135, KC-135 and T-43 aircraft. He has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, a Legion of Merit, and two Aerial Achievement Medals.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

06:16 Enhancing Decision-Making with AI Tools

25:11 The Importance of Modernizing the NC3 System for Deterrence

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1468308 7e5e5147-687f-48f4-9c9f-a7b08f4f6d11 2209 full 2 2 166 166 false Tue, 07 May 2024 04:50:14 GMT <![CDATA[Kyle Balzer, Ph.D. - The Importance of SLCM-N in the US Nuclear Posture]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Dr. Kyle Balzer discusses three topics: the submarine launch cruise missile (SLCM-N), the origins of tailored deterrence, and the concept of hedging the hedge. SLCM-N is seen as a missing piece in the US nuclear posture, providing regional presence, promptness to respond, widespread deployment, and complicating adversary defense planning. Tailored deterrence, which dates back to the Cold War, involves understanding the values and priorities of adversaries to deter them effectively. Hedging, or maintaining extra warheads, is crucial in a complex and unpredictable threat environment. The conversation emphasizes the need for intelligence on adversary thinking, bipartisan support for SLCM-N, and continued debate and implementation of nuclear strategies.

Kyle Balzer is a Jeane Kirkpatrick Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he specializes in US nuclear strategy and policy. He is currently working on a book project, The Revivalist: James R. Schlesinger and the Rebirth of Cold War U.S. Nuclear Strategy. It examines the origins of diagnostic net assessment and competitive nuclear strategies. His work has been published in Breaking Defense, National Review Online, The Hill, The National Interest, and War on the Rocks.

Kyle holds a Ph.D. in US diplomatic history from Ohio University, where he studied the relationship between American grand strategy and nuclear deterrence policy.

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1457180 4f16585b-ffcf-471a-be8f-e49be46df67d 1925 full 2 2 165 165 false Tue, 30 Apr 2024 04:00:59 GMT <![CDATA[Amit Gupta, Ph.D. - Revamping Defense Production: Strengthening India's Capabilities]]> Dr. Amit Gupta discusses the Indian and Pakistani nuclear weapons programs and their relations with China. The Indian nuclear program was driven by the desire for autonomy and the need to showcase scientific ability. The Pakistanis pursued nuclear weapons as a deterrent against India's conventional advantage. Both countries have developed their nuclear capabilities over the years, with India having a 'no first use' policy and Pakistan adopting a more ambiguous stance. The Indian perspective on China is shaped by a history of border disputes and a desire to counter China's growing military capabilities. India seeks to build an economic partnership with the United States, revamp its defense production, and engage in dialogue with China.

Amit Gupta is a Senior Advisor to the Forum of Federations, Ottawa, Canada. He has previously on the faculty of the USAF Air War College. He is the author, co-author or editor of eight books including, Building an Arsenal: The Evolution of Regional Power Force Structures (Praeger), Global Security Watch—India (Praeger), Strategic Stability in Asia, (Ashgate), and Air Forces: Next Generation (Howgate).

In the realm of popular culture, he has written in academic journals and magazines on Doctor Who, Diego Maradona, The Defenders, Star Trek, international cricket, and the globalization of Sports.

Socials:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1446791 5db490e7-78ad-4cb3-abca-46866f987f21 2177 full 2 2 164 164 false Tue, 23 Apr 2024 04:01:14 GMT <![CDATA[Peter Huessy - The Unrealistic Scenario in "Nuclear War: A Scenario"]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther interviews Peter Huessy, a senior fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, about Annie Jacobsen's book 'Nuclear War, A Scenario.' They discuss the flaws in Jacobsen's arguments and mischaracterizations of American nuclear policy. Huessy points out that Jacobsen's scenario is unrealistic and rigged to lead to all-out nuclear war. He also refutes her claims about Ronald Reagan's views on nuclear weapons. The conversation highlights the importance of deterrence in maintaining peace and the dangers of advocating for nuclear disarmament.

Mr. Huessy has been President of Geostrategic Analysis, a defense consulting firm he founded, since 1981. This organization is dedicated to analysis of the strategic nuclear posture of the United States and its nuclear-armed adversaries, particularly in support of ICBMs and US nuclear modernization. He was with the Hudson Institute as a Senior Fellow from December 2021-2023 while previously from 2011 was both a Consultant and Director of Strategic Deterrent Studies at the Air Force Association/Mitchell Institute. In August 2023, he joined the National Institute for Deterrence Studies as a Senior Fellow.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1437395 ca9aaea5-5748-4a16-b5e6-d1b541e681b5 2207 full 2 2 163 163 false Tue, 16 Apr 2024 04:01:16 GMT <![CDATA[Major General Retired Chris Adams - From Old to New: The B-52/B-36]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Major General (Retired) Chris Adams shares his experiences flying the B-36 and B-52 aircraft and serving in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the Cold War. General Adams discusses the unique features of the B-36, including its three-pilot configuration and powerful engines. He also highlights the transition to flying the B-52, which he describes as a significant upgrade. General Adams then talks about his experience as a Minuteman missile crew commander and the disciplined culture of SAC. He emphasizes the importance of a strong military deterrent force, a stable society, and the preservation of the United States.

Chris Adams is a retired U.S. Air Force Major General, former Chief of Staff, Strategic Air Command, former Associate Director, Los Alamos National Laboratory, industry executive, and author. He has traveled the world extensively and in particular, Russia and the former Soviet States, making some 23 extended visits there alone.

His military honors include The Distinguished Service Medal, The Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Two Legions of Merit, Two Air Medals for service in combat and numerous others. He was also awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution National Medal of Honor for 2011.

He has been honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of Tarleton State University and Texas A&M University - Commerce, and has been listed in Who’s Who In America each year since 1982.

In developing his books, Adams draws on his extraordinary knowledge and experience in strategic air operations, intelligence activities and the culture of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Each work is historically based and alludes to actual events that occurred in the former Soviet Union and the United States.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1430863 1a0f72fb-678a-43df-a22e-067c376ef6fe 1802 full 2 2 162 162 false Thu, 11 Apr 2024 15:01:44 GMT <![CDATA[Joseph Bosco - Major Security Threats Facing the US Today]]> In this episode, Adam Lowther interviews Joseph Bosco, a former senior Department of Defense official, who discusses the complex challenges and decisions the US faces in a world with multiple adversaries, including Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Bosco emphasizes the need for strong leadership and a coordinated strategy to confront these threats. They also explore the continuous nature of war and the importance of recognizing the coordinated nature of the threats. The conversation delves into the conundrum of Taiwan and the need for strategic ambiguity in US policy. Bosco shares his wishes for an official US policy to defend Taiwan and for providing Ukraine with the weapons it needs to defend itself.

Joseph A. Bosco, a national security consultant and journalist who contributes to The Hill and Newswav, retired from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) in 2010. During his seven-year tenure, he held various portfolios, including strategic communications, Muslim outreach, East Asia security affairs, Iraq and Afghanistan coalition affairs, and disaster relief and humanitarian affairs. His work spanned diverse assignments, and he played a significant role in activities related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Regional Forum, particularly focusing on the role of regional militaries in disaster relief and humanitarian efforts. Mr. Bosco has extensive experience in the Asia-Pacific region.

Before his service at OSD, Joseph Bosco taught graduate seminars on China-Taiwan-U.S. relations in the Asian Studies Program at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He also organized conferences on U.S.-China-Taiwan issues. Additionally, he served as a senior fellow in the Asia-Pacific Program at the Atlantic Council of the United States. His earlier career included private practice in international law and government contracts, where he was listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s Directory of Preeminent Lawyers.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1426635 ac84e050-1000-4911-b3a8-0f8bc74af451 2021 full 2 2 161 161 false Tue, 09 Apr 2024 04:01:23 GMT <![CDATA[Kevin Cooney, Ph.D. - The Morality of Nuclear Weapons]]> In this episode, Adam and Dr. Kevin Cooney discuss the morality of nuclear weapons. They explore the concept of just war theory and its application to nuclear weapons, as well as the role of international law in regulating conflict. They delve into the historical context of the use of nuclear weapons in World War II and the ethical considerations surrounding their use. They also examine the current state of nuclear weapons and the arguments for disarmament. The conversation highlights the importance of dialogue and understanding in addressing the complex moral questions surrounding nuclear weapons.

Dr. Cooney is a dedicated professional with an extensive background in security, economics, and organizational development. He is currently serving as the second President of Wilberforce International Institute, a non-profit, working with international students to bring redemptive change and human flourishing to their home cultures.

Dr. Cooney is a Distinguished Affiliated Faculty at Regent University where he teaches graduate courses for the Robertson School of Government. He is also a Visiting Professor at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu, Japan where he teaches courses on Violence, Cybersecurity Management, Strategy, and the Political economics of Asia. He has traveled extensively (58 countries to date) including time spent in the Middle East researching and studying terrorism. He was a tenured professor at Union University (TN) and later served the Director of the Pacific Rim Center at Northwest University where he held a dual appointment as Professor of both Business and Political Science.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1419322 9fd03dd3-45bb-4fc8-8ed2-f987f012bd53 2646 full 2 2 160 160 false Thu, 04 Apr 2024 04:00:42 GMT <![CDATA[Rob Spalding, Brig Gen, USAD (Ret) - Protecting Our Most Valuable Asset, Our Data]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews US Air Force Brigadier General (ret) Rob Spalding, CEO of SEMPRE, about their 5G technology and its relevance to the nuclear enterprise. They discuss the need for resilient infrastructure in the face of natural disasters and potential EMP attacks. SEMPRE's technology aims to provide communication capabilities that can withstand such events and ensure the continuity of critical services. The deployment and functionality of SEMPRE's technology are explained, highlighting its decentralized architecture and ability to extend resiliency to existing networks. The security and accessibility of the system are also addressed. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of protecting citizens and the potential collaboration with national carriers.

Dr. Spalding is the former White House National Security Council Senior Director for Strategic Planning and served in senior positions of strategy and diplomacy within the Defense and State Departments for more than 26 years. SEMPRE is the only technology company created to protect and secure our most critical resource: data.

He was the chief architect for the widely praised 2017 National Security Strategy and the Senior Director for Strategy to the President at the National Security Council. Rob’s innovation while serving in the White House has led to a reset in national security and public policy regarding telecommunications in the US as well as globally.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1415471 3a6d83fb-679d-47c3-a1cb-bfa16693af8a 2321 full 2 2 159 159 false Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:00:31 GMT <![CDATA[Lt. Col. Anthony Santino - The Important Mission of the 576 Flight Test Squadron]]> Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Santino, Commander of the 576 Flight Test Squadron, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, discusses the importance of ICBM testing and the unique mission of his squadron. He explains the process of ICBM testing and the role it plays in ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of the weapon system. Santino also addresses the need for a new Sentinel program and the challenges of sustaining the aging Minuteman III system. He shares interesting facts about the 576 Flight Test Squadron and concludes by emphasizing the importance of predictable federal budgeting and the role of testing in maintaining deterrence.

The 576th Flight Test Squadron is America’s only dedicated Intercontinental Ballistic Missile test squadron. In his role, Lt Col Santino oversees a $100 billion flight test and ground system sustainment program portfolio, and 45 personnel responsible for planning, executing, and reporting all Minuteman III and Sentinel operational test activities. Additionally, he is the principal lead for proficiency training, tactics evaluation, and mission assurance certification of squadron test team members.

In his previous assignments, Lt Col Santino was a Senate Liaison Officer assigned to the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force and an Air Force Legislative Fellow assigned to the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of United States Strategic Command.

Lt Col Santino received his commission in 2007 upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy. He is a Command Missileer and has held positions at the squadron, wing, combatant command, and Headquarters Air Force levels.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1409674 c5a5048a-4f9d-4a4e-b30b-d331b580285e 2205 full 2 2 158 158 false Thu, 28 Mar 2024 04:00:33 GMT <![CDATA[Ken Myers - Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Ken Myers, the former director of DTRA (Defense Threat Reduction Agency 2009-2016), about the agency's mission and history. As a member of the Senior Executive Service, he was the fourth and longest serving director of the agency. He oversaw an annual $3 billion budget and operated simultaneously as a defense agency, combat support agency, and a Combatant Command component safeguarding America and its allies from weapons of mass destruction. Under his leadership DTRA/SCC was awarded four Joint Meritorious Unit Awards and Ken was awarded the Secretary of Defense’s Exceptional Public Service Award.

In this episode, he discusses DTRA's role as a defense agency, combat support agency, and element of the U.S. Strategic Command. He also explores DTRA's involvement in various missions, including nonproliferation, countering weapons of mass destruction, and support for the warfighter. The conversation covers the evolution of DTRA's mission, the shift of the CWMD mission from STRATCOM to SOCOM, and the role of defense support agencies in supporting the combatant commands. Myers shares his insights on the need for continued technological advancement, bipartisan support for national security, and the importance of maintaining the credibility of the U.S. nuclear weapons stock.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1405989 a37bef66-5b1d-4b7a-80c6-d23693b04373 2060 full 2 2 157 157 false Tue, 26 Mar 2024 04:00:56 GMT <![CDATA[Malcolm Davis, Ph.D. - AUKUS: An Australian Perspective]]> Dr. Malcolm Davis discusses the Australian perspective on AUKUS, American extended deterrence, and the views of China as a potential threat. He highlights the evolving relationship between Australia and the United States, the importance of the US alliance, and the role of AUKUS in strengthening defense capabilities. Davis emphasizes the need for a realistic and balanced approach to China, recognizing its strategic ambitions and the challenges it poses to Australia's security. He also discusses concerns about US commitment and the importance of strengthening extended nuclear deterrence.

Dr. Malcolm Davis joined ASPI as a Senior Analyst in Defence Strategy and Capability in January 2016. Prior to this he was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in China-Western Relations with the Faculty of Society and Design at Bond University from March 2012 to January 2016, and he currently retains an Honorary Assistant Professor position in the Faculty. He has worked with the Department of Defence, both in Navy Headquarters in the Strategy and Force Structure area, and with Strategic Policy Division in the Strategic Policy Guidance and Strategic External Relations and Education sections from November 2007 to March 2012. Prior to this appointment he was a Lecturer in Defence Studies with King's College London at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, in Shrivenham, UK, from June 2000 to October 2007. He holds a PhD in Strategic Studies from the University of Hull as well as two Masters degrees in Strategic Studies, including from the Australian National University’s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre. His main research focus is on defense strategy and capability development, military technology, and the future of warfare.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1398740 65db0390-91bf-4706-b92b-43d0df0bb4d5 2201 full 2 2 156 156 false Thu, 21 Mar 2024 05:00:26 GMT <![CDATA[William Dale Conwell, Ph.D. - The FY 2025 Budget Overview]]> Dr. William Conwell, Deputy Associate Administrator for Budget at the National Nuclear Security Administration, discusses the importance of the budget and the challenges of managing the nuclear security enterprise. The budget is allocated to five major national security endeavors, including maintaining the nuclear weapons stockpile, reducing global nuclear threats, and strengthening science and technology capabilities. Modernizing the nuclear security infrastructure is a key focus. The budget is divided into four appropriations, with the largest portion allocated to weapons activities. The budgeting process involves working closely with the Nuclear Weapons Council and other agencies to determine requirements. Challenges include workforce recruitment and retention, accurate cost estimation, and managing organizational changes.

Dr. Conwell is the Deputy Associate Administrator for Budget at the National Nuclear Security Administration.

He is responsible for the Planning, Programming, Budget Execution, and Evaluation of NNSA’s $24 billion budget and support to the NNSA programs with cost estimating, business case analysis, and Analysis of Alternatives. His team of over 130 professionals in budget analysis, accounting standards, and general engineering and physical science are the backbone of NNSA’s efforts to maintain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear weapons stockpile; to reduce global nuclear threats; and to provide the U.S. Navy with safe, militarily-effective naval nuclear propulsion plants.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1396813 00e5275a-3342-48e3-b765-59b02795f343 2184 full 2 2 155 155 false Tue, 19 Mar 2024 04:50:20 GMT <![CDATA[Polly Keim and Caleb Yip - NNSA Changing Perspectives and Opportunities for Young Professionals ]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Polly Keim and Caleb Yip, program analysts at NNSA, to gain insights into the perspectives and experiences of young professionals in the field. The conversation covers topics such as the fellowship program, career paths, the role of non-engineering professionals, changing perspectives in NNSA, recruiting and retaining young talent, challenges faced by young workers, and the wishes of the guests for workforce development in NNSA. 

Paulina "Polly" Keim is an early-career nuclear weapons professional in the Office of Production Operations at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). In her role, she supports production specific multi-tail workload at seven NNSA sites. She started her career in the NNSA Graduate Fellowship Program, working in the Office of Domestic Uranium Enrichment and has since joined the Federal service. Polly is also a part of the CSIS PONI Nuclear Scholars Initiative where she is engaging with senior experts on nuclear weapons issues and researching the workforce needs of the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) as it transitions from stockpile stewardship to a more responsive enterprise for the 21st century. Polly holds a Bachelor’s in Political Economy and a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Virginia (go Hoos!) In her free time, she enjoys yoga, reading, hiking, going to concerts, and playing with her cat Oppie.

Caleb Yip is a program analyst with the Office of Stockpile Sustainment (NA-122) at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, which works to maintain and surveil the U.S. stockpile to ensure that the Nation’s nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, and effective. Prior to joining NNSA as a Fed, Caleb was an NNSA Graduate Fellow in the Office of Defense Programs, where he supported front-office correspondence and strategic messaging for the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs. Caleb was a member of the CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues scholars cohort last year, and is expected to publish his paper on Russian nuclear escalation dynamics in the coming months. Caleb received his Bachelor’s in Foreign Service and Master’s in Security Studies from Georgetown University. 

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1386985 b541c284-9457-42a3-a4c9-7b9f462c2aeb 2052 full 2 2 154 154 false Thu, 14 Mar 2024 04:00:28 GMT <![CDATA[Nick Eftimiades: Chinese Espionage and the Impact on US National Security]]> Retired senior intelligence officer Nick Eftimiades discusses China's whole of society approach to espionage and its impact on national security. He highlights the methods used by China, such as theft of technology, trade secrets, and covert influence operations. Eftimiades explains the reasons for ignoring Chinese espionage in the past and the need for a fundamental restructuring of the approach to counter it. He emphasizes the importance of spreading awareness and education in critical infrastructure industries and the need for an integrated national response to China's activities. Eftimiades concludes by urging listeners to take the long-term security interests of the country seriously.

Nicholas Eftimiades is a nonresident senior fellow at theForward Defense practice of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. Eftimiades currently holds an appointment with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, National Intelligence Council, and has held appointments with the Defense Science Board and the Homeland Security Advisory Council’s Subcommittee on Economic Security. He is also a professor at the Penn State University Homeland Security Programs and is a member of the graduate faculty teaching homeland security, intelligence, and national security policy. He conducts research on China’s economic espionage and emerging space threats.

Eftimiades retired from a thirty-four-year government career including employment at the US Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, and Defense Intelligence Agency. He is widely regarded for his expertise on China and national security space issues. As a subject matter expert, he has testified before congressional committees and briefed numerous senior US and foreign officials, members of Congress, and staff.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1382060 c16f7460-f8c8-49a9-a530-a9727e2fa62d 2127 full 2 2 153 153 false Tue, 12 Mar 2024 04:01:18 GMT <![CDATA[Rebeccah Heinrichs - The Aftermath of the Strategic Posture Commission's Report]]> Rebecca Heinrichs discusses the aftermath of the Strategic Posture Commission's report and the lack of media coverage. She highlights the broad agreement on the threat assessment and the need for the United States to address the deteriorating threat environment. Heinrichs also discusses the interest from allies in Europe and Asia to contribute to the deterrence mission. She addresses misconceptions about arms races and escalation, emphasizing the importance of nuclear deterrence. Heinrichs argues for the affordability of nuclear defense and the need for better integration between US Strategic Command and regional combatant commands.

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute and the director of its Keystone Defense Initiative. She specializes in US national defense policy with a focus on strategic deterrence.

Ms. Heinrichs currently serves as a commissioner on the bipartisan Strategic Posture Commission, which was created in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. She also serves on the US Strategic Command Advisory Group and the National Independent Panel on Military Service and Readiness.

She is an adjunct professor at the Institute of World Politics where she teaches nuclear deterrence theory and is also a contributing editor of Providence: A Journal of Christianity and American Foreign Policy.

Ms. Heinrichs earned her MA in national security and strategic studies from the US Naval War College and graduated with highest distinction from its College of Naval Command and Staff, receiving the Director’s Award for academic excellence. She earned her BA in history and political science from Ashland University in Ohio, was an Ashbrook Scholar, and currently serves as a member of the University's Board of Trustees. She is enrolled at Missouri State University pursuing her doctorate of defense and strategic studies.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1372804 9cb3574c-f6b3-4d35-87e4-1261b917159e 1984 full 2 2 152 152 false Thu, 07 Mar 2024 05:00:31 GMT <![CDATA[Col (Ret) USAF Dale Hernandez - Education Efforts of Air Force Global Strike Command]]> Drysdale “Dale” H. Hernandez is the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) for Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command where he serves as the Chief, Force Development Division in the Directorate of Manpower and Personnel.  In this position he serves as the primary advisor to the MAJCOM Commander on all Learning Strategy issues. His A1D Division plans, develops, and directs advisory and support services for command-wide Professional Development.

In this episode, Colonel retired Hernandez discusses the importance of education in Air Force Global Strike Command and the efforts made to develop and educate strikers. Global Strike Command was created in 2009 to address the atrophy of nuclear expertise in the Air Force. The command offers over 20 courses and has invested over $23 million in the development of strikers. The education programs aim to build courageous problem solvers capable of critical thinking and problem-solving. The command also focuses on leadership development and strategic stability through a credible long-range strike force.

Mr. Hernandez was raised in El Paso, Texas and was commissioned in 1991 as a graduate of The University of Texas at El Paso’s Air Force ROTC program. His Masters-level education includes degrees in Human Resources Management and Administration from Webster’s University, Military Operational Arts and Science from Air University, and Strategic Studies from the Army War College. 

Mr. Hernandez began his professional career in 1992 as the Chief of Social Actions at Griffiss AFB, NY. His Air Force career included multiple deployments, staff positions at Headquarters Air Mobility Command,  Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces in Africa, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and The Joint Staff. He has served as the 48th Mission Support Squadron Commander at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom and as the 52d Mission Support Group Commander at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. 

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1371771 71a6a4b3-e16b-4ff8-8839-8f8d34fa51c0 2018 full 2 2 151 151 false Tue, 05 Mar 2024 05:00:35 GMT <![CDATA[Whitney Jones - Submarine Construction, Technology, and Skilled Workforce]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam Lowther interviews Whitney Jones.  She is the Director, Submarine Industrial Base (SIB), a component of the Navy’s (DON) Program Executive Office, Strategic Submarines (PEO SSBN). about the workforce challenges in submarine construction. They discuss the unique challenges of building submarines, the need for skilled tradespeople, and the efforts to recruit and retain a skilled workforce. They also address the impact of high cost of living areas on workforce development and the importance of leveraging technology for workforce training. 

As Director of SIB, Ms. Jones is responsible for leading enterprise efforts to develop and deploy the industrial base capacity and capability required to build and sustain submarine warfighting needs.  In this capacity, Ms. Jones is accountable for collaborative efforts across defense workforce, technology, infrastructure development, process change, and data analytics.  Her role focuses on fostering relationships between Navy and industry to improve communications, industrial processes, and capacity planning. 

Before assuming the role as Director in February 2022, Ms. Jones served as Deputy, Shipbuilding Industrial Base Task Force, where she leveraged her shipbuilding acquisition and supply chain experience to coordinate cross-enterprise projects and oversee strategic communications. She also led Navy Enterprise response, engagement, and assessment of the impacts of COVID-19 on the defense industrial base, working closely with industry to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on key suppliers by maintaining defense supply chains as part of “critical infrastructure” exempt from work stoppages. 

Additionally, she served as the submarine enterprise lead for a Columbia (CLB) and Virginia Submarine (VCS) Industrial Base assessment with Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) Cost Assessment Program Evaluation (CAPE). During this same time period, she implemented submarine enterprise efforts on benchmark setting workforce development pilots including Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) and the Pennsylvania Talent Pipeline Project.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1361940 d9bcdfc2-c8b7-4d89-959b-2066b675ba5d 2434 full 2 2 150 150 false Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:00:35 GMT <![CDATA[Jim Stokes - NATO’s Nuclear Policy]]> Jim Stokes, Director of Nuclear Policy at NATO, discusses NATO's nuclear policy and the nuclear mission in Europe.  He covers various topics, including the relevance of NATO nuclear policy, the role and implications of the Nuclear Planning Group (NPG), efforts to improve the NATO deterrent, the policy issue of establishing an adversary, challenges for allies in nuclear policy, NATO's approach to the China challenge, and the challenge of unilateral disarmament. 

Jim Stokes became the NATO Director of Nuclear Policy in November 2023 and is responsible for developing and implementing NATO nuclear policy, organizing exercises, policy symposiums, training programs and providing policy support to the Secretary General on nuclear deterrence. Mr. Stokes chairs the Nuclear Planning Group - Staff Group.

Prior to NATO, Mr. Stokes had a long career within the U.S. Department of Defense, holding positions in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Naval Special Warfare Command, and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He has earned Master’s degrees from the National War College and the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy, as well as a B.A. from Allegheny College.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1360758 1c8f9128-79f9-43ff-8fdd-024e1386a3c7 2158 full 2 2 149 149 false Tue, 27 Feb 2024 05:00:38 GMT <![CDATA[Brig. Gen. William D. Murphy - Understanding the NC3 Enterprise]]> Brigadier General Bill Murphy discusses the importance of the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) system and their role in strategic deterrence. He explains that NC3 is a system of systems that ensures the President has command and control over nuclear forces and enables mission essential functions. General Murphy highlights the challenges of modernizing NC3 and the role of the NC3 Enterprise Center in overseeing the process. He emphasizes the importance of digital engineering and modeling in making informed decisions about future capabilities. General Murphy also calls for increased understanding and support for strategic deterrence and recognition of the work done by the men and women of the NC3 Enterprise.

Brig. Gen. William D. Murphy serves as the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, United States Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He is the principal advisor to the Commander on Reserve Component matters related to the Command’s diverse missions, including strategic deterrence; cyberspace operations; integrated missile defense; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and global strike. Brig. Gen. Murphy also flies as an Airborne Emergency Action Officer conducting strategic deterrence and operations missions aboard the Looking Glass Airborne Nuclear Command Post, supporting the president and National Command Authorities. Brig. Gen. Murphy was commissioned in 1990 as a graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at University of Nebraska, Omaha. He was a Distinguished Graduate in the MMII and MMIII weapon systems and has served in numerous wing, Numbered Air Force, Air Staff, Combatant Command and Joint Staff assignments. He has served on faculty for the Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University and as guest lecturer for the Air Force Nuclear Fundamentals Course and Nuclear Concepts Course. He was awarded Joint Qualified Officer (Level III) in 2012. In his civilian capacity, Brig. Gen. Murphy serves as Vice President of an Independent Consulting Firm based in Omaha Neb. Prior to his current position, he served as Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Operations and Communications, Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1355183 2151a778-4425-44b6-a2e6-4bb0b631d091 2166 full 2 2 148 148 false Thu, 22 Feb 2024 05:01:04 GMT <![CDATA[Marcus L. Lea - NNSA Workforce Recruitment and Retention for the Nuclear Security Mission ]]> In this episode, Adam interviews Marcus Lea, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Management at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), about the importance of human capital and growing the workforce in the nuclear security field. They discuss recruitment and retention strategies, promoting the mission to potential candidates, inspiring youth to pursue STEM fields, partnerships with minority serving institutions, mentoring and guidance for students, and addressing challenges in federal hiring. 

Mr. Lea provides management, leadership, and day-to-day guidance in the NNSA administrative functions, including budget, NNSA Human Resources, Business Services, Audit and Internal Affairs, Learning and Career Management, and International Operations, providing guidance and assistance to the Administrator in all administrative areas. He is also responsible for developing and implementing Working Capital and related business policies, systems, procedures, and practices of the Department and the NNSA to ensure that they are responsive to the requirements for effective,  efficient, and economical achievement of all programmatic goals and program objectives, and that they are fully supportive of the NNSA legislation and strategic plans.

Prior to joining NNSA, Mr. Lea was Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center's Office of Human Capital. He led the entire scope of the Center's workforce strategy and planning, organization and leadership development, academic affairs, training and incentives, federal labor relations and employee services and operations. Prior to serving at NASA, Mr. Lea was Director for the Office of Human Capital Management at NNSA. He also served as DOE’s Deputy for the Office of Human Resources and as Director of Human Resources Operations.  Before joining DOE, Mr. Lea was a Civilian Personnel Officer for the United States Air Force District of Washington.  

Mr. Lea began his professional career as an Allowances and Differentials Analyst for the United States Department of State and progressively served in leadership roles spanning all of the Human Resources disciplines for the Office of Personnel Management; the United States Air Force Materiel Command; the Defense Information Systems Agency; and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1353104 e6220f0f-5bb0-45fb-b1e3-021fe166773f 2085 full 2 2 147 147 false Tue, 20 Feb 2024 05:10:14 GMT <![CDATA[Zachary Kallenborn - How A Nuclear Weapons Ban Threatens Humanity]]> In this episode, Zachary Kallenborn discusses the arguments made in his article on why a nuclear weapons ban would threaten humanity. He highlights that while nuclear weapons present an existential threat, there are other existential risks such as extreme biological weapons, planet killer asteroids, artificial intelligence, and super volcanoes. Removing nuclear weapons could potentially lead to a return of great power war, which would worsen these other risks. The breakdown of global cooperation, diversion of resources, damage to infrastructure, and potential renuclearization are some of the concerns discussed. The interdependencies between nuclear weapons and nuclear power, as well as the need for a better understanding of second and third order effects, are also emphasized.

Zachary Kallenborn is an adjunct fellow (non-resident) with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a policy fellow at the Schar School of Policy and Government, a fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, a research affiliate with the Unconventional Weapons and Technology Division of the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), an officially proclaimed U.S. Army "mad scientist," and a national security consultant. He has published over 50 articles on autonomous weapons, drone swarms, weapons of mass destruction, and apocalyptic terrorism in a wide range of peer-reviewed, wonky, and popular outlets, including the Brookings Institution, Foreign Policy, Slate, Defense One, War on the Rocks, the Modern War Institute at West Point, Terrorism and Political Violence, and Parameters. Journalists have written about and shared that research in the New York Times, the AP, NPR, Forbes, Popular Mechanics, Politico, al Jazeera, the Independent, Newsweek, the New Scientist, WIRED, and the BBC, among dozens of others in dozens of languages. He is on the board of advisers of the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies at the University of Akron.

Article: https://thebulletin.org/2024/01/why-a-nuclear-weapons-ban-would-threaten-not-save-humanity/

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1345131 f793e16c-2968-484a-85ab-ad67b9943013 2153 full 2 2 146 146 false Thu, 15 Feb 2024 05:00:45 GMT <![CDATA[Brendan Melley - The Role of Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther interviews Brendan Melley, Director, Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at the Institute for National Strategic Studies. Melley discusses the role of the center and its sponsors, as well as its impact on policy. They also delve into the topic of deterring the use of chemical weapons and the challenges associated with it. Melley shares his thoughts on the need for increased education on WMDs and the importance of clear declaratory statements. Finally, they discuss their wishes for the future, including increased awareness, resolution of regional conflicts, and a better understanding of the role of deterrence in preventing war.

As Director, Mr. Melley oversees CSWMD’s three lines of work: research and analysis involving the role of WMD in U.S. national security policies and strategies, including strategic deterrence and the activities and programs of countering chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats; direct policy support to senior Defense and other USG leaders on WMD-related matters; and WMD education within the Joint Professional Military Education system and to other academic institutions in the Department of Defense. 

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1342078 f6d09064-3a16-4ba7-ab72-8f8f556fb8c6 2208 full 2 2 145 145 false Tue, 13 Feb 2024 05:01:06 GMT <![CDATA[USAF Col. (Ret) George Farfour - The Role of Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in the Nuclear Enterprise]]> George Farfour, the Associate Dean of the School of Strategic Force Studies at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), focuses on the educational initiatives undertaken by the Air Force to improve the nuclear knowledge of airmen. Colonel Farfour explains the role of AFIT and its various departments in providing continuing education for airmen in nuclear and nuclear command control and communication (NC3) fields. He discusses the courses offered by AFIT and the objectives of these courses, which include providing a deeper understanding of the political and strategic aspects of nuclear weapons and fostering appreciation for the interconnectedness of the nuclear enterprise. Colonel Farfour also highlights the Academic Partnerships for Nuclear Education (APNE) program, which allows airmen to pursue academic degrees and certificates related to nuclear studies.

Before retiring after 37 years of uniformed service, he was most recently the  Chief, Defense Nuclear Inspections Oversight Department, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, where he was responsible to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Office of the Secretary of Defense for the oversight of US Air Force and Navy nuclear inspection teams on the health and warfighting capability of the Nation’s nuclear triad. Colonel Farfour served as an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Officer for most of his career, with extensive experience in nuclear war planning; national nuclear policy; conventional, nuclear, and space arms control policy, nuclear operations, nuclear weapon systems acquisition and sustainment and nuclear command, control and communications. He has also served in a variety of staff positions, including at U.S. Strategic Command, on the Air Staff at the Pentagon, and as Deputy Director of the Air Force Space Command Commander's Action Group. He served as the Chief, Nuclear Operations and Integration Division, Assistant Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters, United States Air Force. He also served as the Vice Commander, 90th Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyo. and as the Vice Commander, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland AFB, NM.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1335331 b8b4a79a-2b3b-4b3c-a97f-777acf9487ff 2158 full 2 2 144 144 false Thu, 08 Feb 2024 05:01:14 GMT <![CDATA[Bruce Goodwin, Ph.D. - Nuclear Weapons Technology 101]]> Dr. Bruce Goodwin, a retired Senior Laboratory Fellow in the Center for Global Security Research of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, discusses his publication 'Nuclear Weapons Technology 101 for Policy Wonks' and the importance of understanding nuclear weapons design. He emphasizes the need for technical experts to communicate effectively with policy wonks and non-technical audiences, highlighting the importance of listening and avoiding jargon. Goodwin also discusses the challenges of sustaining a credible stockpile stewardship program and attracting the best and brightest to the nuclear field. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of nuclear deterrence in maintaining peace.

From 2013 to 2016, Bruce was the Associate Director for National Security Policy Research in charge of the National Security Office (now the Office of Defense Coordination) and the Center for Global Security Research. From 2001 until 2013, he was the Principal Associate Director of the Nuclear Weapons Program at LLNL. Before that he was a nuclear weapons designer.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1331694 0ebad397-d49d-4164-957e-5c784594f406 2108 full 2 2 143 143 false Tue, 06 Feb 2024 06:01:01 GMT <![CDATA[The Honorable Chris Stewart - Nuclear Policy in Congress ]]> Congressman Chris Stewart discusses his experience in Congress and the dynamics of nuclear policy. He highlights the importance of committees and the role they play in shaping policy. He explains the responsibility of different committees for nuclear forces and the challenges of advocating for the nuclear arsenal as well as the debate between defense spending and other budget priorities.

Chris Stewart served Utah in Congress for over a decade and became a senior member on both the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Appropriations Committee. He is a multiple New York Times best-selling and national award-winning author, world-record-setting Air Force pilot, and the former owner and CEO of a small business.

Chris is one of ten children and grew up on a dairy farm in Cache Valley. He graduated from Utah State University, where he earned his degree in economics. Upon graduation, Chris joined the United States Air Force where he was the Distinguished Graduate (top of his class) in both Officer Training School and Undergraduate Pilot Training. He served for fourteen years as a pilot in the Air Force, flying both rescue helicopters and the B-1B bomber. He holds three world speed records, including the world’s record for the fastest non-stop flight around the world.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1324383 d51a8586-b244-4a62-bcbb-4d6bd88361c9 1965 full 2 2 142 142 false Thu, 01 Feb 2024 05:00:41 GMT <![CDATA[Jim Howe, Ph.D. - A Historical Analysis of U.S. Nuclear Space Propulsion and Power Programs]]> Dr. Jim Howe, a consultant in the space industry, talks about nuclear propulsion in space. He discusses the history of nuclear propulsion, current developments, and the advantages of nuclear rockets. Dr. Howe highlights the need for continued bipartisan support and the importance of nuclear technology for domestic and terrestrial applications. He also emphasizes the potential of nuclear propulsion for space exploration and the need for high standards of accountability and performance.

Dr. Howe has extensive experience in nuclear energy, national and homeland security, policymaking, and communications. He has spent the last 14 years working in the nuclear industry, where he has been deeply involved in the development and commercialization of advanced nuclear reactors and uranium enrichment technology. Jim has collaborated with numerous partners in Congress, the executive branch, trade associations, and industry, in the U.S. and internationally.

Jim holds a PhD from the University of Leicester, with his dissertation titled Atomic Space: A History and Analysis of U.S. policy for the development of nuclear space propulsion and power technologies. He is a distinguished graduate of the Marine Corps War College, where he earned a masters degree in strategic studies, and has also earned graduate degrees in space studies and government. Jim is the author of Red Crew: Fighting the War on Drugs with Reagan’s Coast Guard and has had numerous articles published in defense- and space-related professional journals.

Prior to his private sector experiences, Jim served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, with 11 years at sea and five in command of Coast Guard cutters. He retired at the rank of Captain (O-6). Jim also served at the Department of Homeland Security and as a policy advisor to the Vice President of the United States.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1321079 c9b9bbe3-d9d0-4046-8b17-afdc3faf3129 1975 full 2 2 141 141 false Tue, 30 Jan 2024 05:01:10 GMT <![CDATA[Joe Buff - Applying Actuarial Sciences to Nuclear Deterrence ]]> In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther interviews Joe Buff, an MIT-trained mathematician and author, about applying actuarial sciences to nuclear deterrence. The conversation explores the prediction of human behavior in deterrence, the application of actuarial sciences to improve deterrence strategies, and the importance of vetting assumptions in deterrence models. Joe Buff also shares his three wishes related to the topics discussed: the need for Americans to know and care about nuclear deterrence, building the right workforce for deterrence efforts, and ensuring a smooth modernization process. The episode concludes with a comprehensive look at deterrence in the 21st century.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1314036 1a556445-aebd-46b3-b4a1-da43d2fa2bec 2392 full 2 2 140 140 false Thu, 25 Jan 2024 05:00:55 GMT <![CDATA[Matthew Sermon - Revitalization of the Submarine Industrial Base]]> In this episode of NucleCast, guest Matthew Sermon, the Executive Director of the Program Executive Office Strategic Submarines, discusses the future of ballistic missile submarines. He describes the status of the future submarine program, the differences between the Ohio and Columbia class submarines, considerations for cost and schedule, challenges with the industrial base, additive manufacturing in submarine construction, addressing corrosion and coatings, and the importance of submarine construction for national security. Matt shares his three wishes for the future, including national outreach programs, workforce retention and upskilling, and the urgency and agility in transitioning to advanced manufacturing.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1310732 625f2e1e-3dcf-4ec4-b18c-dab42927277f 2119 full 2 2 139 139 false Tue, 23 Jan 2024 05:00:54 GMT <![CDATA[Bryan Bender - Exploring Workforce Barriers in Deterrence]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Bryan Bender, VP for Communication Strategy at SMI and a contributor to Politico magazine. They explore the barriers to entry and the challenges faced by young people interested in nuclear issues. The conversation delves into the perspectives of the arms control community and the concerns they have about the collapse of arms control frameworks.

Takeaways:

  • The nuclear field lacks the brainpower needed to address complex and dangerous issues.
  • There are divergent views on nuclear issues, with some advocating for enhancing the nuclear deterrent and others calling for arms control and disarmament.
  • There are barriers to entry in the nuclear field, including difficulties in getting government positions and a lack of training grounds and career pathways.
  • The arms control community is concerned about the collapse of arms control frameworks and the need to revive guardrails in the nuclear age.
  • Increasing awareness of the importance of nuclear weapons, successful development of the replacement ICBM, and clearer heads in Moscow and Beijing are important goals for the nuclear field.

Bryan Bender is an experienced journalist and communicator with an extensive network in the national security and foreign policy communities, think tanks, trade associations and the private sector.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1304804 7ea53a11-8044-49da-a706-e4838494ede5 2356 full 2 2 138 138 false Thu, 18 Jan 2024 05:00:46 GMT <![CDATA[Brad Gericke, Ph.D. - Ukraine, Will Russia Use Nukes?]]> Brad Gericke discusses international affairs and national security, specifically focusing on the situation leading up to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. He shares his insights and assessments of the events and the consensus among intelligence agencies.

Takeaways:

  • The conversation explores the international affairs and national security context leading up to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
  • Brad Gericke provides insights and assessments of the situation based on his role as the G35 of the Army.
  • There was a consensus among intelligence agencies that the Russian forces were likely to invade Ukraine.

Brad holds a doctorate from Vanderbilt University and is a graduate of the National War College. Most recently Brad served as the Army’s longest-tenured Senior Strategist and Chief of Plans, Brad exercised wide-ranging and global responsibilities across the Army.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1302382 37a6db00-8283-40ad-b211-6c72136e22e2 2440 full 2 2 137 137 false Tue, 16 Jan 2024 05:00:42 GMT <![CDATA[Alexis Littlefield, Ph.D. : Defending Taiwan]]> Dr. Alex Littlefield discusses China's aspirations to become a regional and global hegemon, with a focus on its relationship with Taiwan. He explains China's historical claim to Taiwan and the cultural differences between the two regions. Dr. Littlefield also highlights China's expansionist goals beyond Taiwan and its desire to unify various groups under its leadership. He discusses the perception of Taiwan's democracy among Chinese people and the challenges China faces in terms of time constraints and demographics. Dr. Littlefield emphasizes the need for deterrence and the potential consequences of a Taiwan invasion. He also addresses the possibility of Taiwan developing nuclear weapons and the complexities of China's political economy and imperial ambitions.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1295471 ab658078-9e5f-4c43-8c00-32d1468042c0 2238 full 2 2 136 136 false Thu, 11 Jan 2024 05:00:26 GMT <![CDATA[David Rehbein - Dispelling the Arms Control Myth; Not All Nukes are the Same]]> This episode features Dave Rehbein, a retired Army FA-52 nuclear officer, about the differences between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons. They discuss the misconception that all nuclear weapons are the same and explore the effects and scale of different types of nuclear weapons. They also touch on the importance of understanding radiation and fallout, as well as the potential scenarios in which tactical nuclear weapons may be employed. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the W76-2 and the need for a clear definition of tactical nuclear weapons.

Takeaways:

  • There are significant differences between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons, including their effects, scale, and intended use.
  • Understanding radiation and fallout is crucial in assessing the impact of nuclear weapons.
  • Tactical nuclear weapons can be employed in specific scenarios to achieve strategic objectives.
  • The W76-2, while providing a low-yield option, has limitations in terms of delivery and responsiveness.

Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Dave was the primary technical liaison for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) at the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) at Offutt AFB, NE. He served in that capacity for 15 years. Dave joined LLNL after retiring from the U.S. Army. He was a Corps of Engineers officer with specialized expertise in Nuclear Operations and Research. His areas of expertise are nuclear weapons technology, weapons effects, and deterrence theory. In his final active-duty Army assignment Dave served as the Commander of the US Army Element of US Strategic Command and as the Chief of Force Assessments at USSTRATCOM.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1293657 29575c18-a331-4871-b4d0-97e8fc0c0103 2096 full 2 2 135 135 false Tue, 09 Jan 2024 05:00:37 GMT <![CDATA[Laura Goodroe Ph.D. and Ernest Rockwell Ph.D. - The Value of Military Professional Journals in Deterrence]]> In this episode of NucleCast, the importance of professional writing and publishing in the military is discussed. The guests, Dr. Ernest Gunasekara-Rockwell and Dr. Laura Thurston-Goodrow, highlight the role of journals in bridging the gap between military and civilian academia. They emphasize the unique value of military professional journals in providing a platform for applied research and analysis. The Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs is highlighted as a niche publication that aims to drive the narrative and prescribe policy for decision-makers in the Indo-Pacific region. The guests also discuss the importance of professional journals in fostering critical thinking and engaging with allies and adversaries. The episode concludes with a discussion on the areas of interest for journal submissions and the future of professional journals.

Dr. Ernest Gunasekara-Rockwell is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs

Laura Thurston Goodroe, DLS is the Editor in Chief, Æther: A Journal of Strategic Airpower & Spacepower and Air & Space Operations Review

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1286363 5102144e-66ed-4bde-bf21-1ec2c3cf326e 2234 full 2 2 134 134 false Thu, 04 Jan 2024 05:00:35 GMT <![CDATA[Kim Budil, Ph.D. - Weapons Design and Modernization]]> In this episode of Nuclecast, Adam Lowther interviews Kim Budil, Director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). They discuss various topics related to LLNL's work in nuclear weapons design and modernization. The conversation covers the achievement of ignition, the recruitment and retention of talent, the role of the National Ignition Facility, workforce challenges, modernization and manufacturing efforts, safety and security of warheads, other programs at LLNL, integrated deterrence and multi-domain operations, knowledge transfer and training, and Budil's wishes for the lab. Budil highlights the importance of LLNL's work in national security and the exciting opportunities it offers for aspiring scientists and engineers.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1284790 e58f15f7-28da-48f2-8f80-2da12dd1526c 2027 full 2 2 133 133 false Tue, 02 Jan 2024 05:20:15 GMT <![CDATA["Best of Episode" - Rebecca Grant]]> This is a rereleased episode from October 26, 2023.

Rebecca Grant is a national security analyst based in Washington, DC and president of IRIS Independent Research, a small, woman-owned business specializing in defense and aerospace research and national security consulting. She has appeared on TV as an expert on national security for Fox News, Fox Business, and CNN. She is a series regular on The Smithsonian Channel’s Air Warriors. Dr. Grant writes on China, Russia and other national security topics for Fox News Opinion. Her military books include 75 Great Airmen (with Lt. Gen. Chris Miller), The B-2 Goes to War, and Battle-Tested: Aircraft Carriers in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1277250 98d8286c-5092-49f5-8518-0426642e7675 2039 full 2 2 132 132 false Thu, 28 Dec 2023 05:00:23 GMT <![CDATA["Best of Episode" - Thom Mason]]> This is a rereleased episode from September 5th, 2023.

Thomas (Thom) Mason is the President and CEO of Triad National Security, LLC (Triad) and serves as the Director of Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Most recently he was the Senior Vice President for Global Laboratory Operations at Battelle where he had responsibility for governance and strategy across the six National Laboratories that Battelle manages or co-manages.

Prior to joining Battelle, Thom worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for 19 years, including 10 years as the Laboratory Director. Under his leadership, ORNL saw significant growth in programs, new facilities, and hiring while achieving record low safety incident rates.

Before becoming Laboratory Director, he was Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) for Neutron Sciences, ALD for the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), and Director of the Experimental Facilities Division.

During his time in Oak Ridge, Thom was active in the community serving as Chair of the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation as well as Innovation Valley, the Knoxville-Oak Ridge area regional economic development organization. He moved to ORNL from the University of Toronto where he was a faculty member in the Department of Physics and previously worked as a Senior Scientist at Risø National Laboratory and a Postdoc at AT&T Bell Laboratories.

For the past 30 years, he has been involved in the design and construction of scientific instrumentation and facilities and the application of nuclear, computing, and materials sciences to solve important challenges in energy and national security.

Thom has a Ph.D. in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from McMaster University and a BSc in Physics from Dalhousie University.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1277267 5bd2397b-eaee-42c9-a80d-edb2381d9a1c 2179 full 2 2 131 131 false Tue, 26 Dec 2023 05:01:08 GMT <![CDATA["Best of" - Holiday Show Re-Release with Adam Lowther and Bob The Genie]]> This episode is a look back to December of 2022 with a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas". with Adam and Bob, the Genie. ANWA DC and NucleCast wish you a happy holiday season. "Twas the Night Before Christmas” was first published in 1823 in the Troy Sentinel newspaper with the name, “Account of a Visit From St. Nicholas."

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1273241 6240a85f-80b5-40c8-a390-20cfcc9193db 419 full 2 2 130 130 false Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:01:05 GMT <![CDATA[James Kraska, S.J.D. - The Role of International Law Supporting Deterrence]]> In this episode of NucleCast, Adam Lowther interviews James Kraska, an expert in international maritime law, about the role of international law in shaping conflict. They discuss the history and impact of international law, its strengths and weaknesses, and its relevance in preventing conflict. They also examine the failures of international law in the cases of Ukraine and Taiwan, and the challenges posed by countries like Russia and China. The importance of international law in the South China Sea dispute is highlighted, as well as the role of self-help and collective action in upholding international law. The episode concludes with a discussion on the need for investment in emerging technologies and the importance of economic policy in supporting international law.

Takeaways

  • International law is the language of diplomacy and underpins the sovereign state system.
  • International law provides a common rule book and has a normative influence on states.
  • The weaknesses of international law include the lack of a lawmaking body, executive enforcement, and an effective international court system.
  • International law has failed in preventing conflicts in cases like Ukraine and Taiwan.
  • International law is relevant in preventing conflict and maintaining global stability.
  • The South China Sea dispute highlights the importance of international law.
  • Self-help and collective action are necessary to enforce international law.
  • Allies play a crucial role in upholding international law.
  • Investment in emerging technologies and economic policy are essential to support international law.

James Kraska Bio

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1269284 f12b6927-01c6-4b35-8dd9-ac02c552629d 2361 full 2 2 129 129 false Tue, 19 Dec 2023 05:00:26 GMT <![CDATA[Tyler Hamilton - Perspectives from a Missile Maintainer: A Career in the Missile Fields]]> With a decade of experience in the aerospace industry, Tyler currently serves as a Future Systems Integration Engineer at the ARES Corporation, dedicated to supporting NASA's Future Systems Project Office at the Kennedy Space Center. His journey began with his role as a 2M0X2 in the United States Air Force maintaining the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) from 2014-2023.

Tyler was stationed at F.E. Warren AFB and Vandenberg AFB and worked numerous roles within the 2M0X2 community including Missile Maintenance Team Topside Technician, charged with the safe transportation and maintenance of the Minuteman III Aerospace Vehicle Equipment (AVE) for 150 Launch Facilities spread out between Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. Maintenance Operations Center Controller and Missile Maintenance Quality Assurance. Culminating in his final role within the Air Force as a Minuteman III Technical Training Instructor.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1265277 8da8655e-a935-432b-94a9-9e9f3742558c 2014 full 2 2 128 128 false Thu, 14 Dec 2023 05:10:22 GMT <![CDATA[Zachary Davis, Ph.D. - The Inflection Point in Global Politics]]> Dr. Zachary S. Davis is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Security Research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and a Research Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he teaches courses on counterproliferation. He has broad experience in intelligence and national security policy and has held senior positions in the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government. His regional focus is South Asia.

Davis began his career at the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress and has served with the State Department, Congressional committees, and the National Security Council. Davis was group leader for proliferation networks in LLNL’s Z Program and in 2007 he was Senior Advisor at the National Counter Proliferation Center, in the office of the Director of National Intelligence. He is the author of numerous government studies and reports on technical and regional proliferation issues. He leads a project on the national security implications of advanced technologies, focusing on special operations forces.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1260774 e7df88e0-a5f1-4cc2-836a-3ddf06cd5d39 2295 full 2 2 127 127 false Tue, 12 Dec 2023 05:00:18 GMT <![CDATA[Alan Carr - The History of Los Alamos National Laboratory Part 2]]> Alan B. Carr currently serves as a Program Manager and the Senior Historian for Los Alamos National Laboratory. During his tenure as a Laboratory historian, which began in 2003, Alan has produced several publications and lectures pertaining to the Manhattan Project, nuclear testing history, and the historical evolution of LANL. He has lectured for numerous professional organizations and has been featured as a guest on many local, national, and international radio and television programs. Before coming to Los Alamos, Carr completed his graduate studies at Texas Tech University.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1253096 5e1fbf97-60b4-462f-bded-45c9469856fc 2280 full 2 2 126 126 false Thu, 07 Dec 2023 05:00:36 GMT <![CDATA[Alan Carr - The History of Los Alamos National Laboratory Part 1]]> Alan B. Carr currently serves as a Program Manager and the Senior Historian for Los Alamos National Laboratory. During his tenure as a Laboratory historian, which began in 2003, Alan has produced several publications and lectures pertaining to the Manhattan Project, nuclear testing history, and the historical evolution of LANL. He has lectured for numerous professional organizations and has been featured as a guest on many local, national, and international radio and television programs. Before coming to Los Alamos, Carr completed his graduate studies at Texas Tech University.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1250174 c95c559f-da65-49f6-a645-1e08225be2c4 1979 full 2 2 125 125 false Tue, 05 Dec 2023 05:30:20 GMT <![CDATA[Curtis Buckles - The Navy's Role in Deterrence]]> Mr. Curtis Buckles is the Navy’s Strategic Deterrence Policy Advisor to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Operations, Strategy and Policy) (N3N5). His responsibilities include providing Navy strategy and policy guidance on strategic and integrated deterrence, countering of weapons of mass destruction policy, nuclear weapons programs, stockpiles, deployments, employment policy, safety, security, survivability, nuclear command & control, and international arms control treaties to the N3N5 and Chief of Naval Operations. Additionally, Mr. Buckles is the CNO’s Navy action officer for the DoD/DOE Nuclear Weapons Council.

Mr. Buckles joined the Navy staff in 2005 and has extensive experience in nuclear weapons operations, policy, strategy, and management. Mr. Buckles retired from the United States Air Force in 2005 after 24 years of service that included positions as the ICBM Nuclear Policy Advisor to the Joint Staff J5 Director of Strategy and Policy, assignments as an ICBM launch officer, Command Instructor, maintenance officer, and the command lead project officer for the Minuteman III Guidance Replacement Program and the guidance applications programs. Additionally, Mr. Buckles’ Air Force career includes experience as the Director of Operations for the combined U.S. Air Force - Australian Defence Forces Joint Defence Facility Nurrungar Defense Support Program facility at Woomera, South Australia and as the Deputy Division Chief for Air Force Requirements Development in HQ USAF.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1243753 6a37b9dc-5761-4ca7-91bc-e90c9ae7808b 2148 full 2 2 124 124 false Thu, 30 Nov 2023 05:00:20 GMT <![CDATA[The Honorable Frank Miller - Strategic Posture Commission Report]]> The Honorable Franklin Miller is a principal at the Scowcroft Group in Washington, DC. He dealt extensively with nuclear policy and nuclear arms control issues during his 31-year government career, which included senior positions in the Defense Department and on the NSC staff.

He was directly in charge of US nuclear deterrence and targeting policy from 1985 to 2001 and also chaired NATO’s senior nuclear policy committee, the High-Level Group, from 1997 to 2001. He is a member of the Strategic Command Advisory Board and served on the Defense Policy Board from 2008-2020.

He served on the 2008 Secretary of Defense Task Force on DoD Nuclear Weapons Management (Schlesinger Task Force), on the 2013-2014 Congressional Advisory Panel on the Nuclear Security Enterprise (Mies-Augustine Panel), and is currently a member of the on-going Congressional Commission on Strategic Posture.

He publishes frequently on deterrence and arms control issues. He has been awarded the Defense Department's highest civilian award, the Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, five times and received the Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal in lieu of a sixth award.

Mr. Miller has also been awarded an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II, the Norwegian Royal Order of Merit (Grand Officer), the French Legion of Honor (Officer), and Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun (Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon). A member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a Director of the Atlantic Council, he received his BA from Williams College and his MPA from Princeton University. He served as a surface warfare officer from 1972 to 1975.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1240563 fbfdb6c5-3a26-496a-a454-51ee7e7165b9 2173 full 2 2 123 123 false Tue, 28 Nov 2023 05:00:17 GMT <![CDATA[Codeac Solutions: Revolutionary Technology and Partnerships]]> Aaron McAdow, Head of US Marketing Development

Retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Aaron McAdow, who has more than 20 years of experience in US Special Operations and other Joint Strategic DoD programs. Aaron currently serves as Codeac Solution’s Head of US Market Development and advises on technology integration to meet operational requirements

Ben Hall, CEO and President

A former Australian Army Officer, Ben is the CEO and President of Codeac Solutions. Ben previously held executive roles at publicly listed companies and senior advisory roles in strategy consulting, he has experience across defense, politics and public sector industries globally.

Catherine Riddle PhD, Inventor

The co-inventor of Codeac Solutions, Cathy is a senior research scientist at Idaho National Laboratory and has 24 years’ experience in radiochemistry research for nuclear energy and national security

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1233117 4eae41f6-fbd4-44db-9a86-76bd61b8f342 1976 full 2 2 122 122 false Tue, 21 Nov 2023 05:00:20 GMT <![CDATA[Jennifer McArdle, Ph.D. Wargaming - The Realm of Possibility]]> Dr. Jennifer McArdle is the Senior Director of Futures and Advanced Concepts at CAE USA, where she focuses on applying innovative simulation technology to defense. She is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security in their Defense Program and Wargaming Lab, and a member of the Editorial Board and Adjunct Professor at the Joint Special Operations University. A former professor, McArdle has served on former Congressman Langevin’s cyber advisory committee and as an expert member of a NATO technical group that developed cyber effects for the military alliance’s campaign simulations. McArdle holds a PhD from King’s College London in War Studies, is the recipient of the RADM Fred Lewis (I/ITSEC) doctoral scholarship in modeling and simulation and is a certified modeling and simulation professional (CMSP). She is a term member with the Council on Foreign Relations and was named an honorary Mad Scientistby the US Army Training and Doctrine Command.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1222713 aefa24cf-e74a-4588-96cc-5960ece8823b 2070 full 2 2 121 121 false Thu, 16 Nov 2023 05:00:17 GMT <![CDATA[Robert J. Peters, Ph.D. - The Dawn of the New Nuclear Age: Reactions to the Strategic Posture Commission Report]]> Robert J. Peters is a Senior Fellow for Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense, The Heritage Foundation. He was previously the Chief within the Strategic Integration Directorate of the Strategic Trends and Effects Department (STED) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. STED’s mission is to generate timely, credible, and actionable insights into threats within the counter-WMD and counter-emerging threat mission space and to assess the effectiveness of Agency efforts to support the Joint Warfighter. STED also sponsors a strategic dialogues program with allies and partners, table top exercises, and a number of research efforts. Prior to joining DTRA, Mr. Peters served as a Senior Research Fellow at National Defense University's Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

From March-November 2009, Mr. Peters was detailed to the Office of the Secretary of Defense-Policy as Special

Assistant to the DASD for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction. Prior to joining National Defense University, Mr. Peters worked as a Technical Analyst for the Northrop Grumman Corp., and as a Research Associate for the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.

Mr. Peters received an MA from Georgetown University in National Security Studies and a BA in Political Science and History from Miami University. His publications include: "Deterrence in the 21st Century: Integrating Nuclear and Conventional Force;" in Strategic Studies Quarterly; “A New Approach to Eliminating North Korean Weapons of Mass Destruction is Needed;” at 38north.com; and “The WMD Challenges Posed by a Collapse of North Korea,” in the Nonproliferation Review.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1219097 2b1d1fce-e344-4520-b106-bdef0260c3b0 2153 full 2 2 120 120 false Tue, 14 Nov 2023 05:00:18 GMT <![CDATA[The Honorable David Trachtenberg - The Fallacy of Deterrence by Detection]]> The Honorable David J. Trachtenberg is Vice President of the National Institute for Public Policy, a nonprofit research center in Fairfax, Virginia. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 17, 2017 as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and served in this capacity until his retirement from government service in July 2019. Until January 2018, he also served as the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the principal civilian adviser to the Secretary of Defense on policy matters.

He was also the senior Department of Defense civilian official responsible for DoD policy on civilian casualties resulting from military operations. Prior to his confirmation, Mr. Trachtenberg was President and CEO of Shortwaver Consulting, LLC. Earlier, he was a Vice President at CACI and Senior Vice President for Homeland Security at National Security Research, Inc.

Prior to joining NSR, Mr. Trachtenberg was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Forces Policy. From 1995-200, Mr. Trachtenberg was a Professional Staff Member with the House Committee on Armed Services (HASC) in Washington, D.C, serving as head of the committee's policy staff and staff lead for the HASC Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism.

Mr. Trachtenberg is a two-time recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. He holds an A.B. in International Relations from the University of Southern California and a M.S. degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He currently teaches graduate seminars in nuclear deterrence and strategy and the role of Congress in national security policy at the Fairfax, Virginia campus of Missouri State University’s Defense and Strategic Studies Program.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1209238 60e2d834-0e21-4db1-aa8c-66d0d477d0dc 2087 full 2 2 119 119 false Thu, 09 Nov 2023 05:00:26 GMT <![CDATA[Vahid Majidi, Ph.D. - Savannah River's Important Mission - Pit Production Capability and More]]> As Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) Director, Vahid Majidi is responsible for the management, operation, and strategic direction of SRNL. Employing approximately 1,000 technical and support staff, SRNL conducts research and development for diverse federal agencies, providing practical, cost-effective solutions for the nation’s environmental, nuclear security, energy and manufacturing challenges. As the United States Department of Energy’s Environmental Management Laboratory, SRNL provides strategic scientific and technological direction and program support for the nation’s $6 billion per year legacy waste clean-up program.

Dr. Majidi is a former member of the senior executive service with direct reporting responsibilities to the U.S. Secretary of Defense, U.S. Director of National Intelligence, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He has more than 30 years of experience in the areas of chemistry, measurement science and technology, national and homeland security, science and technology policy, and nuclear nonproliferation.

Dr. Majidi previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters, responsible for nuclear weapon surety and the acquisition and modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile. From 2006-2012, Dr. Majidi served as Assistant Director for the FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Directorate, responsible for coordinating and managing its equities, activities, and investigations involving WMD. In 2003, he was appointed Chief Science Advisor to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and was detailed to the DOJ from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), where he coordinated science and technology policy among DOJ component agencies and with state and local law enforcement entities. Dr. Majidi also served as the Chemistry Division Leader at LANL and was a tenured associate professor of chemistry at the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Majidi is the President of the Battelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC (BSRA). BSRA brings world class expertise in laboratory management, nuclear operations, national security, and scientific research to Savannah River National Laboratory.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1206046 fc68c006-70e3-4bc5-8752-b4744d7f3041 2113 full 2 2 118 118 false Tue, 07 Nov 2023 05:00:38 GMT <![CDATA[Mark Schneider, Ph.D., 2 - The Size and Characteristics of the Russian Nuclear Stockpile]]> Dr. Mark Schneider is a Senior Analyst with the National Institute for Public Policy. Before his retirement from the Department of Defense Senior Executive Service, Dr. Schneider served in a number of senior positions within the Office of Secretary of Defense for Policy including Principal Director for Forces Policy, Principal Director for Strategic Defense, Space and Verification Policy, Director for Strategic Arms Control Policy and Representative of the Secretary of Defense to the Nuclear Arms Control Implementation Commissions. He also served in the senior Foreign Service as a Member of the State Department Policy Planning Staff.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1197765 aab82071-a6ef-45df-b6ed-5dd2fa3050db 2841 full 2 2 117 117 false Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:10:17 GMT <![CDATA[Colonel George L. Chapman and Colonel Benjamin D. Jensen - The Mission of Minot AFB]]> Colonel George L. Chapman is the Deputy Commander, 91st Missile Wing, Minot Air Force Base (AFB), N.D. In this role, he assists leading the wing’s 1,800 personnel as they operate, maintain, and secure 150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), 15 missile alert facilities, and 150 remote launch facilities located throughout an 8,500 square-mile missile complex in N.D. Combat-ready Airman provide a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear capability to credibly hold at-risk targets worldwide, ever-poised to accomplish the Air Force’s core mission of global strike.

Colonel Benjamin D. Jensen is the Deputy Commander of the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D. As the Deputy Commander, he is responsible for the health and welfare of roughly 4,900 active-duty members, 500 civilian employees, and 6,000 family members. He also assists with overseeing operations involving the wing’s fleet of B-52H bombers to provide deterrence and long-range strike capability for combatant command operations worldwide.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1194934 811ebddd-f753-4269-9d3c-ef119cce4dec 2362 full 2 2 116 116 false Tue, 31 Oct 2023 04:00:18 GMT <![CDATA[Rebecca Grant, Ph.D. - Integrated Deterrence, Stealth, and AI]]> Rebecca Grant is a national security analyst based in Washington, DC and president of IRIS Independent Research, a small, woman-owned business specializing in defense and aerospace research and national security consulting. She has appeared on TV as an expert on national security for Fox News, Fox Business, and CNN. She is a series regular on The Smithsonian Channel’s Air Warriors. Dr. Grant writes on China, Russia and other national security topics for Fox News Opinion. Her military books include 75 Great Airmen (with Lt. Gen. Chris Miller), The B-2 Goes to War, and Battle-Tested: Aircraft Carriers in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Dr. Grant graduated from Wellesley College and earned a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics, University of London.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1188681 ba5b7303-1712-4a65-9181-e083bd86ab9a 2005 full 2 2 115 115 false Thu, 26 Oct 2023 04:01:24 GMT <![CDATA[ Major General Jason Armagost - The Mission of the Eighth Air Force ]]> Maj. Gen. Jason R. Armagost is the Commander, Eighth Air Force, and Commander, Joint-Global Strike Operations Center, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. "The Mighty Eighth" is responsible for the service’s bomber force and airborne nuclear command and control assets, encompassing approximately 24,000 Airmen across six installations, and proudly operating more than 150 E-4, B-1, B-2, B-52 and T-38 aircraft. The J-GSOC serves as the central command and control node for all operations within Air Force Global Strike Command, orchestrating warfighting and readiness activities for the Commander, Air Forces Strategic.

Maj. Gen. Armagost graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and was commissioned in 1992. He has served in multiple operational and training assignments and logged more than 2,900 hours in the B-2A, F-16CJ, F 16CG, B-1B, B-52H and T-38A. His notable educational and staff assignments include a fellowship at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, California, Chief of Nuclear Operations on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, and Director of Strategic Plans, Programs, and Requirements at Air Force Global Strike Command.

Maj. Gen. Armagost commanded the 13th Bomb Squadron at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota, and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. His operational assignments supported contingency operations during operations Desert Strike, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel and Deliberate Resolve. He also served as the Deputy Commanding General for Security Assistance Group-Ukraine, where he led coordination of the DoD’s historic security assistance support effort to the Ukrainian government. Further, he has flown numerous combat missions in the F-16CJ, B-2A, B-1B and the B-52H.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1185067 a76d2fa2-a437-4532-8e52-bdd533c0bb9b 2490 full 2 2 114 114 false Tue, 24 Oct 2023 04:00:50 GMT <![CDATA[Tomás Díaz de la Rubia - Growing Partnerships: University of Oklahoma and USAF]]> Tomás Díaz de la Rubia is a science and technology leader, strategist and administrator with extensive experience in government, academia and the private sector. At present, Tomas is the Vice President for Research and Partnerships at the University of Oklahoma. In this capacity, he leads OU’s efforts to enhance the scale and scope of the university’s research enterprise, and to develop a new strategic framework for research to propel the university forward, particularly in the areas of national security, energy and sustainability, and the life sciences.

Tomas was the Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Purdue University. During Tomas’ tenure at Purdue from September 2015 to September 2019, Discovery Park’s focused strategically on the development of real-world solutions to major global challenges in health and the life sciences; sustainability and the nexus of energy, food, water, climate and the environment; and national security and defense. Over the same period, Discovery Park saw growth in research funding from industry, government, foreign institutions and philanthropic organizations of over 120%. Tomas was also responsible for the success of the Burton Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship and the Purdue Foundry, a hub to nurture and launch new start-up companies based on faculty and student intellectual property (IP) into the market. Over 100 new companies have been created over the last four years.

Tomas worked for Deloitte Consulting, LLP where he was the innovation leader and a Director in the energy and resources industry practice. Based in Washington, D.C, he advised C-Suite executives at major multinational Oil and Gas companies and electrical utilities on ways to identify and capitalize on new technologies such as Internet of Things, additive manufacturing, robotics, augmented reality and wearable technologies, and predictive analytics.

Tomás was the Deputy Director for Science and Technology (DDST) at the U.S. Department of Energy Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California, where he served as the Laboratory’s Chief Research Officer (CRO) and oversaw a $250M program of basic and applied research in support of the Laboratory’s missions in science and technology, nuclear security, defense, counterterrorism, energy and technology commercialization.

In addition to these leadership roles, Tomas is a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Intelligence Community Studies Board, which was tasked in 2016 by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence and discusses science and technology issues of importance to the nations’ intelligence community. He is a board member of the National Defense Industry Association, and of CRFD Global. Among his hobbies, he is a member of the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, a worldwide group dedicated to promoting the virtues of the wines and foods of Burgundy.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1177562 5f684b04-0c07-487e-b35f-565c15c0f80b 2251 full 2 2 113 113 false Thu, 19 Oct 2023 04:00:26 GMT <![CDATA[Lani Kass, Ph.D. - Special Episode - The War in Israel]]> This is a special one hour episode with Dr. Lani Kass, Senior Advisor for Center for American Defense Studies and Senior Fellow at The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

From December 2011 to January 2020, Dr. Kass served as Senior Vice President and Corporate Strategic Advisor at CACI. In 2014, she was elected to the Board of Women in Aerospace (WIA) and in 2016, sworn in as a member of the Air University Board of Visitors’ Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Subcommittee, designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research.

Prior to 2012, Dr. Kass served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). She was responsible for the high-level assessments and analyses necessary to render the best military advice and execute the integrated strategies, programs, and plans essential to America’s security. Her contributions were recognized by both the Secretary of Defense and CJCS. She received the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award – the highest award granted to U.S. Government civilian employees.

Dr. Kass also served as the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force (CSAF), Senior Mentor to USAF Project CHECKMATE, and Director of the Cyber Task Force. She developed the intellectual concepts that led to the establishment of the U.S. Cyber Command and continue to underpin U.S. cyber strategy. She was awarded the prestigious Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service by both the Secretary of the Air Force and CSAF.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1175544 02bc5a47-d8a1-4b61-ba9a-242b05e04fb4 3920 full 2 2 112 112 false Tue, 17 Oct 2023 04:00:45 GMT <![CDATA[Marc Wortman, Ph.D. on Admiral Hyman Rickover: Establishment of the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Submarine Program]]> Marc Wortman, PhD, is an independent historian and freelance journalist. He is the author of four books on American military and social history, most recently Admiral Hyman Rickover: Engineer of Power (Yale University Press, 2022), which was named a National Review Book of the Year and received an honorable mention for the John Lyman Award in biography from the North American Society for Oceanic History. His other books are 1941: Fighting the Shadow War, A Divided America in a World at War (Atlantic Monthly, 2016); The Bonfire: The Siege and Burning of Atlanta (PublicAffairs, 2009), and The Millionaires’ Unit: The Aristocratic Flyboys Who Fought the Great War and Invented American Air Power (PublicAffairs, 2006). A multi-prize-winning feature-length documentary based on The Millionaires’ Unit is available on streaming services.

The Greatest Capitalist Who Ever Lived: Tom Watson Jr. and the Epic Story of How IBM Created the Digital Age (PublicAffairs), the first solo biography of the leader who launched the information technology revolution, will be published in October 2023. ​

As an award-winning freelance journalist, Marc has written for many publications, including Vanity Fair, Smithsonian, Rolling Stone, Time, and The Daily Beast. He has spoken to audiences around the country and has appeared on CNN, NPR, C-SPAN BookTV, History Channel, CuriosityStream and other broadcast and streaming outlets. He has taught at Princeton, Quinnipiac University and a college program at a maximum-security prison. He was the recipient of a New York Public Library Research Fellowship and was the 2014 Jalonick Memorial Distinguished Lecturer on Aviation History at the University of Texas Dallas. He is a fellow of Yale University’s Davenport College.Following college at Brown University, he received a doctorate in Comparative Literature from Princeton University. He lives with his family in New Haven.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1167110 b10b4b4d-4053-4c2c-a582-62467ec38225 1979 full 2 2 111 111 false Thu, 12 Oct 2023 04:00:52 GMT <![CDATA[Raji Pillai Rajagopalan, Ph.D. - Where Does India Stand on Global Threats]]> Dr. Rajeswari (Raji) Pillai Rajagopalan is the Director of the Centre for Security, Strategy & Technology (CSST) at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in Canberra. In 2020, she was Co-chair for a thematic group on “Strategic Technologies” for Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (STIP 2020) work, attached to the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India and Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Dr. Rajagopalan was the Technical Advisor to the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) (July 2018-July 2019). She was also a Non-Resident Indo-Pacific Fellow at the Perth USAsia Centre from April-December 2020. As a senior Asia defense writer for The Diplomat, she writes a weekly column on Asian strategic issues. Dr. Rajagopalan joined ORF after a five-year stint at the National Security Council Secretariat (2003-2007), Government of India, where she was an Assistant Director. Prior to joining the NSCS, she was Research Officer at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. She was also a Visiting Professor at the Graduate Institute of International Politics, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan in 2012.

Dr. Rajagopalan has authored/ co-authored or edited more than ten books including ORF-Global Policy Journal Special Issue, Future Warfare and Technology: Issues and Strategies (2022), Military Ambitions and Competition in Space: The Role of Alliances (2021), Global Nuclear Security: Moving Beyond the NSS (2018), Space Policy 2.0 (2017), Nuclear Security in India (2015), Clashing Titans: Military Strategy and Insecurity among Asian Great Powers (2012), The Dragon's Fire: Chinese Military Strategy and Its Implications for Asia (2009). She has published research essays in edited volumes, and in peer reviewed journals such as India Review, Strategic Studies Quarterly, Air and Space Power Journal, International Journal of Nuclear Law and Strategic Analysis. She has also contributed essays to newspapers such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Times of India, and The Economic Times. She has been invited to speak at international fora including the United Nations Disarmament Forum (New York), the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) (Vienna), Conference on Disarmament (Geneva), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the European Union.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1162678 09bbe94b-86b1-462c-8116-37434d1e35e5 2255 full 2 2 110 110 false Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:01:02 GMT <![CDATA[Thomas Ramos Part 2 - "From Berkeley to Berlin: How the Rad Lab Helped Avert Nuclear War"]]> For the past 40 years, Tom Ramos has been a physicist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). For the past few years Tom has been conducting research and writing a history of the early years of the Cold War, and the nuclear weapons program of LLNL. Through interviews with historical figures and with extensive research into top secret archives, he has brought out new perspectives of the Cold War that have been little understood until now. His efforts were rewarded with the publication of his book, From Berkeley to Berlin.

Tom created several programs in the 1990s that served the Defense Department. Most notable among them, starting with a $200K grant, Tom created the Counterproliferation Analysis and Planning System (CAPS), which helped military operators analyze facilities manufacturing weapons of mass destruction in hostile countries. The program grew into a $46M a year enterprise and was declared to be the Defense Department’s premier counterproliferation program by Secretary of Defense William Cohen. Another significant program that Tom started was the Homeland Defense Operational Planning System (HOPS), a program like CAPS, but steered towards analyses to protect America’s critical infrastructure.

In the 1980’s Tom was a nuclear weapons designer in the Laboratory’s X-Ray Laser Program, which supported President Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative. In the program’s last nuclear test, Tom led a team of physicists who designed the program’s brightest laser. In the late 1980s Tom joined a committee helping to prepare the government for START negotiations and he prepared a daily summary sheet for the Secretary of Energy to use at NSC meetings on the resumption of START Talks. Later Tom was assigned to the Pentagon as the legislative affairs officer for the Congressionally mandated Nuclear Weapons Council. Tom’s duties included preparing the Council for Congressional hearings.

Prior to joining the Laboratory, and after graduating from West Point and MIT, Tom served as a combat engineer and was later an associate professor of physics at West Point, New York, where he taught each of the physics department’s core courses, as well as electives in Quantum Mechanics and Nuclear Physics.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1154394 b970a5b3-5ecc-4c1e-8c98-a98f2181ac5d 2080 full 2 2 109 109 false Thu, 05 Oct 2023 04:00:37 GMT <![CDATA[Thomas Ramos Part 1 - "Oppenheimer" the Film: Truths and Myths]]> For the past 40 years, Tom Ramos has been a physicist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). For the past few years Tom has been conducting research and writing a history of the early years of the Cold War, and the nuclear weapons program of LLNL. Through interviews with historical figures and with extensive research into top secret archives, he has brought out new perspectives of the Cold War that have been little understood until now. His efforts were rewarded with the publication of his book, From Berkeley to Berlin.

Tom created several programs in the 1990s that served the Defense Department. Most notable among them, starting with a $200K grant, Tom created the Counterproliferation Analysis and Planning System (CAPS), which helped military operators analyze facilities manufacturing weapons of mass destruction in hostile countries. The program grew into a $46M a year enterprise and was declared to be the Defense Department’s premier counterproliferation program by Secretary of Defense William Cohen. Another significant program that Tom started was the Homeland Defense Operational Planning System (HOPS), a program like CAPS, but steered towards analyses to protect America’s critical infrastructure.

In the 1980’s Tom was a nuclear weapons designer in the Laboratory’s X-Ray Laser Program, which supported President Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative. In the program’s last nuclear test, Tom led a team of physicists who designed the program’s brightest laser. In the late 1980s Tom joined a committee helping to prepare the government for START negotiations and he prepared a daily summary sheet for the Secretary of Energy to use at NSC meetings on the resumption of START Talks. Later Tom was assigned to the Pentagon as the legislative affairs officer for the Congressionally mandated Nuclear Weapons Council. Tom’s duties included preparing the Council for Congressional hearings.

Prior to joining the Laboratory, and after graduating from West Point and MIT, Tom served as a combat engineer and was later an associate professor of physics at West Point, New York, where he taught each of the physics department’s core courses, as well as electives in Quantum Mechanics and Nuclear Physics.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1150642 35cac368-3f88-4883-b43d-631fc41aa44d 2313 full 2 2 108 108 false Tue, 03 Oct 2023 04:00:42 GMT <![CDATA[Angela Sheffield - AI Technology and the NC3/Nuclear Enterprise]]> As Raft’s Senior Director of Data and AI, Angela Sheffield leads programs to build software, data, and AI solutions to deliver information and decision dominance in all operations conditions and all warfighting domains.

Before joining Raft, Ms. Sheffield served as the Senior Program Manager for AI at the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy. In that role, she led programs to advance the science of AI and develop novel capabilities to detect and deter nuclear weapons proliferation for mission partners in the DoD, Intelligence Community, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of State.

Ms. Sheffield began her career as an active-duty Air Force officer with assignments in directed energy weapons research and development with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s 711th Human Performance Wing and technical intelligence at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center. Ms. Sheffield joined DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a senior scientist, where she led major initiatives to develop advanced data and AI techniques to counter terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The approaches she pioneered, such as the use of AI to lower detection thresholds and reveal indicators and warnings in nontraditional data sources, are now central to U.S. strategy to reduce nuclear and WMD threats. An internationally recognized expert in AI for science, engineering, and national security, Ms. Sheffield was recently appointed as the first-ever subject matter expert to the Secretary of State’s International Security Advisory Board.

Angie has a B.S. in Economics from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an M.S. in Operations Research from Kansas State University. She is a war college graduate with an M.S. in National Security and Resource Strategy from the National Defense University Eisenhower School.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1143391 79a15822-b984-460d-bdf4-323293683732 2190 full 2 2 107 107 false Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:01:45 GMT <![CDATA[Howard Hall, Ph.D. - How One Academic Program is Building Nuclear Operators]]> Dr. Howard Hall is the Director for the UT Institute for Nuclear Security. He holds a joint appointment with Consolidated Nuclear Security (Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, TN, and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, TX), and serves as Professor in both the Department of Nuclear Engineering and the Bredesen Center For Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education. Professor Hall is also a Senior Fellow in Global Security Policy at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee.

Professor Hall received his Ph.D. in Nuclear and Radiochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1989; and his BS in Chemistry from the College of Charleston in 1985. Prior to joining UT, Dr. Hall spent more than 20 years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Northern California, where he led major scientific and operational missions in nuclear and homeland security. During his tenure at LLNL, Dr. Hall led efforts supporting US Government programs in aviation safety and security, nuclear threat detection and nuclear emergency response.

In 2005, Dr. Hall was part of the team awarded the Department of Homeland Security/Science and Technology Directorate Under Secretary's Award for Science. Professor Hall is a member of the American Nuclear Society, the American Physical Society, the American Chemical Society, the American Society for Engineering Education, the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management, and holds the rank of Fellow in the American Institute of Chemists and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1141360 5c12c89e-0e56-4bda-adf0-5491f519434e 2028 full 2 2 106 106 false Tue, 26 Sep 2023 04:01:56 GMT <![CDATA[James Stemm - The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History]]> James Stemm has been Curator at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History since 2021. He began his museum career in 1996 working with the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona as the museum’s Registrar. He remained at Pima for the next twenty-five years while holding several jobs in the museum’s Collections Department including Assistant Curator, Curator of Collections, and Director of Collections. James attended The University of New Mexico where he received a bachelor’s degree in history and attended graduate school at New Mexico State University receiving a master’s degree in public history.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1132796 cfe4930a-f36d-4ece-adc4-35104800fb7f 1906 full 2 2 105 105 false Thu, 21 Sep 2023 04:00:44 GMT <![CDATA[Frank Lowery - Rethinking Recruitment and Retaining Talent at the NNSA]]> Frank Lowery is the Associate Administrator for Management and Budget, National Nuclear Security Administration, where he oversees the offices of Budget and Financial Management, Human Resources, Business Services, Employee Empowerment, Learning and Career Management, and International Operations. A member of the Senior Executive Service in NNSA since March 2012, he has also served as the Department of Energy’s Acting Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer; NNSA’s Deputy Associate Administrator for Management; and Deputy Associate Administrator for Defense Nuclear Security. Prior to entering Federal service, he served in the U.S. Navy.

Mr. Lowery has over three decades of experience in national security, much of it associated with nuclear-powered submarines and nuclear weapons. His submarine experience includes service in the Atlanticand Pacific fleets on fast attack as well as strategic deterrent submarines.

A certified professional engineer, he developed specialized skills in technical, business, and personnel management through his integral involvement in submarine delivery programs and oversight of the 25 nuclear-powered fast attack submarines that operate in the Atlantic Fleet.

Mr. Lowery earned his bachelor of science degree in marine engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and his master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1127038 de5649ac-2b44-4949-bd11-bfad5532c595 2168 full 2 2 104 104 false Tue, 19 Sep 2023 04:00:38 GMT <![CDATA[Matthew Costlow, Ph.D. - Restraints at the Nuclear Brink: Factors in Keeping War Limited]]> Matthew Costlow is a Senior Analyst at the National Institute for Public Policy. His areas of expertise are in nuclear deterrence, missile defense policy, arms control, and Russian and Chinese nuclear doctrine. His work has been published by Comparative Strategy, Strategic Studies Quarterly, and the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. He has also published numerous opinion pieces in the Institutes Information Series as well as the Wall Street Journal, War on the Rocks, Defense News, and Defense One.

While working for the National Institute, Matt graduated in 2012 from Missouri State University with an M.S. in Defense and Strategic Studies. His thesis, “Gunboat Diplomacy in the South China Sea” was chosen for publication at the U.S. Air Force Institute for National Security Studies. He is currently a PhD candidate at George Mason University and is writing his dissertation on the intersection of leadership perceptions and war termination in World War II. From 2019-2021, Matt served as a Special Assistant in the office of Nuclear and Missile Defense policy, Department of Defense. His responsibilities included authoring and editing Congressional testimony for senior leadership on nuclear and missile defense topics, writing reports to Congress, drafting speeches to domestic and foreign audiences, and ensuring strategic communications were consistent with official U.S. government policy.

While at the Pentagon, Matt also briefed numerous senior officials up to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, explained U.S. policy to multiple allied delegations, and produced nuclear-themed tabletop exercises. For these and other accomplishments, Matt was presented with the Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Exceptional Public Service. From 2012-2019, Matt worked as an Analyst at National Institute, specializing in many of the same areas he currently writes on. Before 2012, he researched cybersecurity, emergency management, and foreign airpower acquisition at the Congressional Research Service. Prior to that, he worked at SAIC on federal and state emergency management best practices.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1119446 cc60cdb7-57d4-43e4-9561-785c8d8520c1 2245 full 2 2 103 103 false Thu, 14 Sep 2023 04:01:08 GMT <![CDATA[Maj Gen (Ret), USAF, Garrett Harencak - Supporting the Nevada National Security Site ]]> Maj Gen (Ret), USAF, Garrett Harencak is the President and CEO of Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS). Harencak joined Mission Support and Test Services, LLC after nearly four years as Vice President of Strategic Defense Programs for Jacobs Engineering. While at Jacobs, he also served as Deputy Program Manager of the Missile Defense Agency Integrated Research and Development for Enterprise Solutions contract, providing overall strategic vision, leadership, direction, and management for all employees, missions, projects and activities related to the contract. Harencak’s organization, through his leadership, developed and communicated the vision for safe, secure, environmentally and fiscally sound contract execution with full authority and accountability to manage and integrate all contractual, financial and technical performance designed to ensure quality, cost control, timeliness of performance, effective business relations and customer satisfaction.

Before joining Jacobs, Harencak served in the United States Air Force for more than 39 years and rose to the rank of Major General. Positions he has held include Commander of USAF Recruiting Command; Assistant Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration; Commander at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base; Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application (NA- 10), National Nuclear Security Administration; and Commander of the 509th Bomber Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base.

Harencak holds a bachelor’s degree in humanities from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in management from Abilene Christian University, and a master’s degree in national security studies from the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base. He is Adjunct Professor of Nuclear Deterrence and Assurance for the Air Force Nuclear College at the Air Force Institute of Technology, and a member of the Board of Regents, Strategic Deterrent Coalition, Washington, D.C.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1111938 75759ae5-bcc7-43f9-8331-00e6744ce797 2183 full 1 1 102 102 false Tue, 12 Sep 2023 04:00:58 GMT <![CDATA[Lt Col James McCue - A Tactical Nuclear Mindset: Deterring with Conventional Apples and Nuclear Oranges]]> James McCue is a career helicopter pilot having performed all three USAF rotary wing missions; nuclear security, combat search and rescue, continuity of government. He has earned his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and masters studies with the Air Force Institute of Technology, Emby Riddle, Missouri State University, and a fellowship with the National Defense University's C-WMD program.

He has been working at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency for the last four years supporting nuclear wargames, nuclear doctrine development, is a Fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, and is a visiting professor with the Defense Nuclear Weapons School where he lectures in that institution's Nuclear Policy course. He has published through Air University and Naval Postgraduate School on matters of physical security of nuclear weapons as well as deterrence at the edge of conventional and nuclear conflict.

Here is a link to his latest work: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/AEtherJournal/Journals/Volume-2_Number-2/McCue.pdf?source=GovD

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1103683 4b94e1f8-2372-442b-b3ec-80a2ebf128fc 2047 full 1 1 101 101 false Thu, 07 Sep 2023 04:00:40 GMT <![CDATA[Thom Mason, Ph.D. - Oppenheimer and the future of Los Alamos National Laboratory]]> Thomas (Thom) Mason is the President and CEO of Triad National Security, LLC (Triad) and serves as the Director of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Most recently he was the Senior Vice President for Global Laboratory Operations at Battelle where he had responsibility for governance and strategy across the six National Laboratories that Battelle manages or co-manages.

Prior to joining Battelle, Thom worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for 19 years, including 10 years as the Laboratory Director. Under his leadership, ORNL saw significant growth in programs, new facilities, and hiring while achieving record low safety incident rates.

Before becoming Laboratory Director, he was Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) for Neutron Sciences, ALD for the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), and Director of the Experimental Facilities Division.

During his time in Oak Ridge, Thom was active in the community serving as Chair of the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation as well as Innovation Valley, the Knoxville-Oak Ridge area regional economic development organization.

He moved to ORNL from the University of Toronto where he was a faculty member in the Department of Physics and previously worked as a Senior Scientist at Risø National Laboratory and a Postdoc at AT&T Bell Laboratories.

For the past 30 years, he has been involved in the design and construction of scientific instrumentation and facilities and the application of nuclear, computing, and materials sciences to solve important challenges in energy and national security.

Thom has a Ph.D. in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from McMaster University and a BSc in Physics from Dalhousie University.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1101705 8f19dcc2-e75f-41f0-8386-7aa814f08fd1 2213 full 1 1 100 100 false Tue, 05 Sep 2023 04:02:05 GMT <![CDATA[Chris Stone - Who Will Defend Critical Space Infrastructure if not the Space Force?]]> Christopher Stone is a senior fellow for space deterrence studies at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies think tank. He previously served as special assistant to the deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1095481 352f97da-00a6-4954-becf-e32a08441087 1949 full 1 1 99 99 false Thu, 31 Aug 2023 04:00:32 GMT <![CDATA[Ray Smith (Part 2) - The History of Oak Ridge and Y-12 to Present Day]]> With nearly 53 years living and working in Oak Ridge, TN, Ray Smith has developed an extensive understanding and appreciation of the heritage of Oak Ridge’s history, especially the Manhattan Project era and resulting technological advances during ensuing years. For the last 10 years of his 47-year career with the Y-12 National Security Complex, he served as the official Y-12 Historian. Ray now serves as the Historian for the city of Oak Ridge, TN. He was appointed to that position in December 2015.

Ray has co-produced the award-winning and highly acclaimed Secret City: The War Years and Secret City: 1945–2006 documentary films that have become the definitive history of Oak Ridge. He has also produced a four-episode television series of 30-minute programs on the history of the Y-12 National Security Complex, A Nuclear Family, which has won four platinum Remi awards in the World Fest-Houston International Film Festival. He completed the compilation of twelve documentary short films including the award winning Our Hidden Past series into a two DVD set, Y-12 Anthology. His most recent documentary film, produced in January 2018, is Ed Westcott– Photographer, a tribute to the famous Manhattan Project and Department of Energy photographer without whose exceptional photographs our Oak Ridge and DOE history would not be nearly so well documented. The documentary film can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYvzw9f8M8A.

In 2017, Ray was appointed a commissioner on the Tennessee Historical Commission and is now serving his second three-year term. He has served on several boards for charitable organizations, one a state level board, The Tennessee Children's Home, of which he is currently the past chairman. He is also on the board of directors of the East Tennessee Historical Society and the nation board of directors of the Atomic Heritage Foundation. In 2018, Ray assisted Dr. Lee Riedinger, Professor of Physics and Director, Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education at the University of Tennessee, teach an honors course, Science and History of the Manhattan Project. The course materials have formed the basis of a book to be published in 2024, Critical Connections, How Partnerships formed at the Dawn of the Atomic Age Helped Transform a University, a National Laboratory, and a City.

Ray is the author of 18 books of Historically Speaking newspaper columns published over the past 17 years.

He has published 10 books of local nature photographs, produced a 40-image photographic show and was chosen as the exclusive source to provide photographs to decorate the TownePlace Hotel as well as a portion of the Y-12 Federal Credit Union. His photographs also decorate other offices in Oak Ridge and some company websites.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1092399 88f891ad-3e68-40ad-b033-879b1a726fb2 1972 full 1 1 98 98 false Tue, 29 Aug 2023 04:01:23 GMT <![CDATA[John Swegle, Ph.D. 2 - Nuclear Arms Control: Operational Considerations]]> Dr. John Swegle works as an independent consultant through the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska on issues related to the effects of nuclear weapons and proliferation on US national security. Immediately prior to that, he was a Senior Advisory Scientist at the Savannah River National Laboratory in Aiken, South Carolina. He began his career at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was a member of the plasma theory group, and then moved to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he conducted and managed analyses of foreign technology and nuclear programs in what was then Z Division; he also worked in a nuclear design division for several years where he was introduced to the basic concepts of nuclear design and nuclear-driven electromagnetic pulse.

He is a graduate of Cornell University, where he obtained an MS and PhD in applied physics with a specialty in plasma physics, and the University of Washington in Seattle, where he earned BSEE and MSEE degrees.

Dr. Swegle has also had a long career in the field of high-power microwaves. He is the co-author of High-Power Microwaves, which has been published in three editions. The book has become an international standard and has been translated into Chinese. He served as an Associate Editor of The Physics of Plasmas and co-edited a special issue of the IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science devoted to high-power microwaves.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1087018 77234994-b3ad-4f40-8f34-bbc385c98711 2356 full 1 1 97 97 false Thu, 24 Aug 2023 04:00:31 GMT <![CDATA[Ray Smith (Part 1) - The History of Oak Ridge and Y-12 to Present Day]]> With nearly 53 years living and working in Oak Ridge, TN, Ray has developed an extensive understanding and appreciation of the heritage of Oak Ridge’s history, especially the Manhattan Project era and resulting technological advances during ensuing years. For the last 10 years of his 47-year career with the Y-12 National Security Complex, he served as the official Y-12 Historian.

Ray now serves as the Historian for the city of Oak Ridge, TN. He was appointed to that position in December 2015. Ray has co-produced the award-winning and highly acclaimed Secret City: The War Years and Secret City: 1945–2006 documentary films that have become the definitive history of Oak Ridge. He has also produced a four-episode television series of 30-minute programs on the history of the Y-12 National Security Complex, A Nuclear Family, which has won four platinum Remi awards in the World Fest-Houston International Film Festival. He completed the compilation of twelve documentary short films including the award winning Our Hidden Past series into a two DVD set, Y-12 Anthology. His most recent documentary film, produced in January 2018, is Ed Westcott– Photographer, a tribute to the famous Manhattan Project and Department of Energy photographer without whose exceptional photographs our Oak Ridge and DOE history would not be nearly so well documented. The documentary film can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYvzw9f8M8A.

In 2017, Ray was appointed a commissioner on the Tennessee Historical Commission and is now serving his second three-year term. He has served on several boards for charitable organizations, one a state level board, The Tennessee Children's Home, of which he is currently the past chairman. He is also on the board of directors of the East Tennessee Historical Society and the nation board of directors of the Atomic Heritage Foundation. In 2018, Ray assisted Dr. Lee Riedinger, Professor of Physics and Director, Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education at the University of Tennessee, teach an honors course, Science and History of the Manhattan Project. The course materials have formed the basis of a book to be published in 2024, Critical Connections, How Partnerships formed at the Dawn of the Atomic Age Helped Transform a University, a National Laboratory, and a City.

Ray is the author of 18 books of Historically Speaking newspaper columns published over the past 17 years. He has published 10 books of local nature photographs, produced a 40-image photographic show and was chosen as the exclusive source to provide photographs to decorate the TownePlace Hotel as well as a portion of the Y-12 Federal Credit Union. His photographs also decorate other offices in Oak Ridge and some company websites.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1083903 ae13a8f9-d3bd-4c85-a58c-59aef70c5828 2102 full 1 1 96 96 false Tue, 22 Aug 2023 04:00:53 GMT <![CDATA[Matthew Kroenig - The Role of Nuclear Superiority]]> Dr. Matthew Kroenig is Vice President and Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and the Council’s Director of Studies. In these roles, he manages the Scowcroft Center’s bipartisan team of more than thirty resident staff and oversees the Council’s extensive network of nonresident fellows.

His own research focuses on US national security strategy, strategic competition with China and Russia, and strategic deterrence and weapons nonproliferation. Kroenig is currently a commissioner on the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States. He previously served in the Department of Defense and the intelligence community during the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations. He received the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. He was a national security adviser on the presidential campaigns of Mitt Romney (2012) and Marco Rubio (2016).

Kroenig is also a tenured professor of government and foreign service at Georgetown University. A 2019 study in Perspectives on Politics ranked him one of the top twenty-five most cited political scientists of his generation. He is the author or editor of seven books, including The Return of Great Power Rivalry: Democracy versus Autocracy from the Ancient World to the US and China (Oxford University Press, 2020)and The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy: Why Strategic Superiority Matters (Oxford University Press,2018). Kroenig co-authors the bimonthly “It’s Debatable” column at Foreign Policy. His articles and commentary regularly appear in major media outlets, including: the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Politico, CBS, BBC, CNN, Fox News, and NPR.

He has held fellowships at the Council on Foreign Relations, Harvard University, and Stanford University. He is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and holds an MA and PhD in political science from the University of California at Berkeley.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1077588 6ec1a2c9-b7c5-463e-9652-1aa2a0f7fbbb 2077 full 1 1 95 95 false Thu, 17 Aug 2023 04:00:21 GMT <![CDATA[Lieutenant General In-Bum Chun (ROK, Ret) - Korean Perspective on Nuclear Weapons and Korean Security]]> Lieutenant General In-Bum Chun (ROK, Ret) served his country with both honour and integrity for nearly four decades. Chun retired in 2016 after distinguished service in the South Korean Army.

During his military career which started in 1978 at the Korea Military Academy he ascended to positions of leadership that included, the Chief of the Election Support Branch, Civil Military Affairs/Strategic Operations Directorate of the Multinational Forces in Iraq, the Director of U.S. Affairs at the Ministry of National Defense (ROK), Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff of Operations for the U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command, Senior member of the UNCMAC, the Commander of the ROK Special Warfare Command, and the Deputy Commander for the First ROK Army.

Chun is a holder of three U.S Legions of Merit, the US Bronze Star Medal and the USSOCOM Medal.

His interests and expertise in national defense and security policy saw him awarded positions that included Visiting Fellow at the Center for East Asia Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution, Visiting researcher at the US-Korea Institute at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University and as Visiting fellow at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Tech.

Currently, Chun is serving as a Senior Fellow with the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and the Vice-president of the Air and Space Forces Association (AFA) MIG Alley Chapter and is on the Advisory board for the National Bureau of Asian Research, the Global SOF Foundation, the Global American Business Institute and the Korean Modelers Association as well as a Senior Contributor for the Asia Society Korea and a fellow with the Institute of Corea American Studies and Distinguished Military Fellow with the Institute of Security and Development Policy in Sweden.

He is also a board member for the Korean Animal Welfare Association which advocates for animal rights and humane treatment of all animals.

In addition to his many roles with various military and defense organizations, he is active on social media as a military analyst with his YouTube channel where he uploads videos discussing defense and security matters related to South Korea and Northeast Asia.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1074914 60e83ed3-1810-4b77-8fd3-158c0f662d8a 2134 full 1 1 94 94 false Tue, 15 Aug 2023 05:01:15 GMT <![CDATA[Darwin Morgan - The History on the Nevada National Security Site ]]> This is the first episode in ANWA Deterrence Center's Legacy Series where we look back at the Manhattan Project and the evolution over 80 years of the U.S. strategic nuclear deterrent. Darwin Morgan retired as Director, Office of Public Affairs, Nevada Field Office, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) In March 2021. In retirement he serves as the President of the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation. This Non-Profit organization oversees the Atomic Testing Museum, a Smithsonian affiliated museum dedicated to the history of atmospheric and underground nuclear weapons testing. In addition, he is a Historian with the NNSA’s Nevada National Security Site’s (NNSS’s).

As the former Director, Office of Public Affairs, he served as the advisor to senior management for public and congressional affairs and oversaw Freedom of Information/ Privacy Act and all outreach activities for the NNSA Nevada Field Office. He has also served as the Deputy Assistant Manager, Office of Public and Institutional Affairs, where he was responsible for quality leadership and diversity, public affairs and information, and economic diversification.

Morgan’s federal service began in 1989 as a Public Affairs Specialist with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Nevada Operations Office of External Affairs. He provided public affairs support for the environmental management programs, Yucca Mountain Project, and the national security programs. In addition, he served on two Source Evaluation Boards for the site office, one as the chairperson. Morgan was awarded the NNSA Administrator’s Gold Medal and is a Graduate of the Federal Executive Institute.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1069608 fb24d430-968f-41f7-b1c8-6e49cea0f167 2143 full 1 1 93 93 false Thu, 10 Aug 2023 04:00:29 GMT <![CDATA[Colonel Glen Shilland- Deterrence on The Korean Peninsula]]> Colonel Glen R. Shilland assumed the duties of United States Air Attaché to the Republic of Korea in 2019.

Colonel Shilland entered the Air Force as a Distinguished Graduate of Officer Training School. In his first assignment as a satellite operations officer at Colorado Springs, Colorado, he performed command and control for surveillance, weather, and navigation spacecraft. He became a B-52H navigator and bombardier at Minot, North Dakota, and volunteered as an Air Liaison Officer, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky—deploying twice in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM with the 5th Special Operations Forces and the 101st Airborne Division Headquarters. He has been a B-52H instructor, flight commander, and deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM as Assistant Director of Operationsin the 23d Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and 5th Operations Support Squadron.

He then served as the Strategic Plans Branch Chief at Air Force Global Strike Command Headquarters at Barksdale, Louisiana. After that, he was Commander of the 505th Combat Training Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, in charge of 120 military, civilian, and contractor personnel supporting worldwide joint and combined operational-level air component command and control exercises. Colonel Shilland was also the Nuclear Air Tasking Order Coordinator at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Combined Air Operations Center, at Torrejón Air Base, Madrid, Spain. He was then assigned as the Commander of the 608th Air Operations Center at Barksdale, Louisiana—in charge of 230 personnel tasked with planning, executing, and assessing worldwide bomber operations.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1066203 c15a7551-cf53-4677-8e1e-aa926e7e5652 2083 full 1 1 92 92 false Tue, 08 Aug 2023 04:01:53 GMT <![CDATA[Wally Clark, Ph.D. - 101 Level Weapons Effects]]> Dr. Wallace T. (Wally) Clark III retired as a civilian employee of the United States Air Force in November2020. Currently, he is a Senior Fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies and via Banda GroupInternational, he a Senior Technical Adviser on Nuclear Explosive Safety to the NNSA.

Among Dr. Clark’s numerous positions in his 40+-year career are: ultra-high vacuum scientist at the DOEY-12 Weapons Plant and fiber-optic sensor scientist at AT&T Bell Laboratories. He was a rocket plumeelectromagnetic scientist for the U.S. Navythen Chief Scientist and data integrator of the first U.S.unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) for the Army and Marines. As a USAF contractor he was Chief Scientistat the Electromagnetic Pulse Simulatorsand Chief Scientist of the ARGUS Aircraft Program. As a USAFcivilian he was the Microwave Airborne Electronic Attack Technical Area Manager, the HPM TechnologiesBranch Chief, the Laser Division Chief where he led the scientific effort behind the Airborne Laser (ABL),and the Microwave Division Chief where he drove the successful flight test of the Counter Electronics HighPower Microwave Advanced Missile Project and deployment of a Counter Improvised Explosive Device(IED) system.

In the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, he served as the 498th Nuclear Systems Wing Chief Scientist (earning the “Grenade” call sign), the Systems Engineering Division Chief, the Enterprise Engineering Division Chief, the Weapon Effects Survivability Division Chief, and the Deputy Chief Scientist where he provided scientific and technological advice to the Commander and information on advanced science, technology, and innovation in coordination with the DoD, the DOE, academia, industry, and others. Grenade served on a Defense Science Board, contributed to two DoD Test Resource Management Center studies, was as a program manager, branch chief, division chief four times, and chief scientist five times. Throughout his career, he was foremost an R&D scientist. He is nationally and internationally known as a strong advocate for system survivability testing to weapon effects, especially nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP), often saying “proven survivability is deterrence.”

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1061530 c417859d-4aca-4dec-b3b0-400443ce8255 2320 full 1 1 91 91 false Thu, 03 Aug 2023 04:01:17 GMT <![CDATA[David Schild - Meeting the Challenge: Specialty Systems and Critical Applications in Dynamic Environments]]> David Schild is Executive Director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America. An established leader and trusted advocate, he has over 20 years of experience managing political involvement, corporate public relations and public policy efforts for the aerospace and defense industry.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1058793 bef2984a-2b99-4d95-9626-e4e5ef84c732 2132 full 1 1 90 90 false Tue, 01 Aug 2023 04:01:43 GMT <![CDATA[Raphael Cohen, Ph.D. - Big Ideas on War in Ukraine, Recruitment and Tri polarity]]> Raphael "Rafi" Cohen is the director of the Strategy and Doctrine Program of RAND Project AIR FORCE, and a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation. He works on a broad range of defense and foreign policy issues, including defense strategy and force planning, Middle East and European security and civil-military relations.

Cohen previously held research fellowships at the Brookings Institution, the American Enterprise Institute and the National Defense University’s Center for Complex Operations. He has written for a variety of forums, including the Journal of Strategic Studies, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Fox News, War on the Rocks, Lawfare, The Hill, The National Interest and other publications. He also served as a staffer on the Congressionally-appointed 2018 National Defense Strategy Commission and is now the deputy executive director of the 2023 National Defense Strategy Commission.

A military intelligence branched lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, Cohen has held a variety of command and staff positions in both the active and reserve components, including during two combat tours in Iraq from 2005 to 2006 and again from 2007 to 2008. He holds B.A. magna cum laude in government from Harvard University and an M.A. in security studies and Ph.D. in government from Georgetown University.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1052675 bb9b7c90-f9b9-484e-80bf-390df21b95e7 2058 full 1 1 89 89 false Thu, 27 Jul 2023 04:00:57 GMT <![CDATA[Brian Green - Unpacking Deterrence Strategy and Missile Defense]]> Brian Green is a non-resident Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile Defense Project. Prior to his current position, he was the founder and principal at Impact Strategies, a national security consulting firm, and served as Executive Director of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Washington Operations Office, with planning and execution responsibilities for the company’s defense business development and government affairs in the DC area. Prior to his work at Aerojet, he was the Director of Strategic Force Assessments at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.

In his government service, he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategic Capabilities in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, with oversight and policy development responsibilities for US nuclear forces, missile defense, military space, information operations, and arms control. He also served as the staff lead for the Strategic Forces subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the lead for strategic programs on the House Armed Services Committee, in which he had legislative and oversight responsibilities for nuclear, missile defense, and military space programs. Prior to those assignments, he served on the staff of the Air Force Association, the Aerospace Education Foundation, and the Heritage Foundation.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1049844 44ce1b06-11ec-4330-9b81-8a6b16e443fc 2228 full 1 1 88 88 false Tue, 25 Jul 2023 04:01:25 GMT <![CDATA[Carl Rhodes, Ph.D. - Australia's Defense Strategic Review]]> Carl Rhodes Ph.D. is the founder of Robust Policy, a Canberra-based business that provides evidence-based analysis on defense topics. Carl worked at RAND Corporation from 1997-2021, including four years as director of RAND Australia. Prior to moving to Australia, Carl spent twenty years as a researcher and manager in RAND’s Project AIR FORCE. His research portfolio has covered topics including long-range strike, ISR, sovereign weapons, nuclear deterrence, unmanned systems, and stressors facing 20th Air Force.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1040276 eb5edbd2-72ec-4274-bf3e-a88d5db9b6cf 2287 full 1 1 87 87 false Thu, 20 Jul 2023 04:01:08 GMT <![CDATA[Wendy Baca - From the Manhattan Project to Present: Preserving and Transferring Knowledge to the Newest Generation]]> Wendy Baca started her career in 1987 with the Department of Energy in what was then known as the Albuquerque Operations Office. She was hired to fill the W87-1 Small Inter-continental Ballistic Missile (SICBM) Program Engineer position where one of her first tasks was to issue the Phase 3, Development Engineering, authorization to the DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex. Although the program was canceled a short time later, she continued to work in numerous Federal Program Manager roles for the next 25 years. The majority of Wendy’s work focused on the ICBM programs where she was also the Director of the DOE’s and later, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA’s), ICBM Division for 9 years. During that time, her primary focus was the First Production Unit through completion of the W87 Alt 342, which was also referred to as the W87 Life Extension Program. Wendy’s other Federal Program Manager positions included the Pantex Stage Right Program, the AT-400A Pit Container, the DOE/NNSA Dismantlement Program, Plutonium Sustainment, and the Modernization Programs.

After retiring from DOE/NNSA in 2012, Wendy worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) as an Executive Advisor in the Principal Associate Directorate for the Weapons Program. In 2015, Wendy became the Director of the Integrated Program Management Office in the Plutonium Science and Manufacturing Division where she focused on the ongoing LANL Production Agency efforts to include plutonium pits.

Wendy worked at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) from February 2017 until October 2022. She started in the Military Liaison Department as the W80-1/W84 Field Engineer and she finished her SNL career as the Manager of the Accident Response Group and Legacy Hardware Laboratory Department.

In 2021, Wendy joined TechSource Inc’s Weapons Knowledge Preservation and Transfer Program where she works with the team to develop and deliver instructional modules for new and mid-career employees across the Nuclear Security Enterprise. As a Subject-Matter-Expert, Wendy provides lessons learned, experiences, and perspectives regarding the NNSA’s Weapons Acquisition Process that she has gained over the past 35 years.

Since November 2022, Wendy has also been a consultant with MELE Associates where she is part of the NNSA’s Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation “Reserve Force” which is a cadre of retired employees that provides expertise and support to the NNSA’s Nuclear Emergency Support Team.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1039039 6f6f070e-41d4-41ad-bf09-080c8ed6021e 1945 full 1 1 86 86 false Tue, 18 Jul 2023 04:00:34 GMT <![CDATA[Bradley T. Gericke, Ph.D. Major General, U.S. Army, Ret. - The Role of the Army in the Asia Pacific Region]]> Brad is an accomplished senior leader who enjoys a reputation for original thinking and strategic acumen coupled with an affirmative leadership approach. He holds a doctorate from Vanderbilt University and is a graduate of the National War College. Most recently Brad served as the Army’s longest-tenured Senior Strategist and Chief of Plans, Brad exercised wide-ranging and global responsibilities across the Army. With his enterprise-wide authorities Brad directly advised Army executives as he led the Army’s formal outreach to international military partners to fashion agreements that enhanced the readiness of the Army through better-value investment and effective basing of high demand logistics and equipment footprints. The programs Bradinitiated delivered capabilities in the form of innovative solutions that leveraged current Army force designs with emerging technologies, new concepts, and effective alignment of institutional priorities.

Charged by Army leaders to “own the future” Brad built new structure models validated through scenario-driven experiments to maximize Army capabilities and operations. He refashioned planning and training methods to improve the Army’s counter-WMD readiness; wrote orders for Army-wide implementation; and regularly advised senior leaders regarding emerging trends affecting national defense, international affairs, and security policy.

Brad led the Pentagon’s primary planning and force posture forums. He regularly consulted with senior DoD civilian and military leaders across defense organizations to build DoD’s first and unique worldwide plans that integrated the DoD’s crisis responses to cross-domain challenges posed by disruptive technologies and the rapid global transfer of information.

In addition to his strategy and leadership experience, Brad served as a special assistant to multiple senior executives. An accomplished writer, he published capstone Army documents and has written numerous professional essays, three college instructor resource manuals, two urban warfare anthologies, and a military biography. He continues to work as a senior mentor to the Army and as an executive consultant.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1034195 a0fc48e9-90ab-4a9d-be10-9d9b99aecc97 2021 full 1 1 85 85 false Thu, 13 Jul 2023 04:01:10 GMT <![CDATA[Juan Vitali, Ph.D. - The Importance of Advancing Nuclear Energy]]> Juan Vitali is the Assistant Director Nuclear Energy Innovation at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, The White House. Previously, he was the Army’s Nuclear Engineer and Chief of the Nuclear Power Branch where he led a team of engineers to shape conditions for the adoption of nuclear power by the Army. He was the chief concept architect for the development of mobile nuclear power plant for ground operations. He was the Senior Advisor to the Chief of Engineers on Nuclear Power Matters. Juan was Principal Research Faculty for eight years at Georgia Tech Research Institute and was Director of the Washington Office for the Electro-Optics Environment and Materials Laboratory.

Throughout his career, Juan has maintained a dedication to excellence not only in science and technology but, in general, quietly effecting change through increasing leadership roles. In 2000, his work in halon replacements earned him the International US-EPA Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award. Juan completed studies at National Defense University/Eisenhower Schooland obtained a master’s degree in National Security Studies and Resource Strategy in 2013. Juan is a Harvard University Senior Executive Fellow. Juan holds a Doctorate in Engineering Physics/Nuclear Engineering(1992), a Master of Engineering (1987) and a bachelor’s degree Cum Laude in Engineering Physics/Nuclear Engineering (1984), all from the University of Florida. Juan is married to the former Kathryn Bowler of Needham, MA.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1029786 1a941301-7d1b-4e8e-ba7c-e2c7c689e0fd 2010 full 1 1 84 84 false Tue, 11 Jul 2023 04:01:12 GMT <![CDATA[Major Frank W. Perry, Jr. - Helos in the Missile Field]]> Major Frank W. Perry, Jr. is the Chief, Helicopter Operations Division, Twentieth Air Force. In this position Major Perry advises the Commander, Twentieth Air Force on operational and administrative issues for the Air Force’s sole Helicopter Group. He leads planning, coordination, and Operational Plan support for three operational helicopter squadrons, integrating USSTRATCOM and USNORTHCOM missions for over 400 personnel.

Prior to this assignment, Major Perry was a student at Air Command and Staff College in Air University. There he performed studies as part of the Russia Research Task Force, garnering the Thomas “Dutch” Miller Award for most relevant research in his field.

Major Perry enlisted in the Air Force as a Ground Radio Technician in 2004, receiving his commission through Officer Training School in 2009. Following graduation, he has served in a variety of operational assignments as a UH-1N instructor pilot, and subsequently as a Mi-17 instructor and evaluator pilot. Major Perry has deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1025392 4aa6cbb3-6807-4013-99dc-c4548ea056f5 1855 full 1 1 83 83 false Thu, 06 Jul 2023 04:01:32 GMT <![CDATA[Independence Day Special ]]> The ANWA Deterrence Center wishes you a safe and happy 4th of July.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1022933 0b3dd2be-e231-44f8-b700-5fbb69b0143b 328 full 1 1 82 82 false Tue, 04 Jul 2023 04:00:31 GMT <![CDATA[Tom Karako - Filling in the Gaps of Missile Defense]]> Thomas Karako is a senior fellow with the International Security Program and the director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he arrived in 2014. His research focuses on national security, missile defense, nuclear deterrence, and public law. In 2010–2011, he was an American Political Science Association congressional fellow, working with the professional staff of the House Armed Services Committee and the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces on U.S. strategic forces policy, nonproliferation, and NATO. Dr. Karako is also currently a fellow with the Institute for Politics and Strategy of Carnegie Mellon University. He received his PhD from Claremont Graduate University and his BA from the University of Dallas.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1016315 54dec662-aa58-492c-954a-bd98355cd47d 2134 full 1 1 81 81 false Thu, 29 Jun 2023 04:00:38 GMT <![CDATA[Eric Edelman - The New Makers of Modern Strategy and the Future of Strategic Deterrence]]> Ambassador Eric S. Edelman is Counselor at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. He retired as a career minister from the U.S. Foreign Service on May 1, 2009. He has served in senior positions at the Departments of State and Defense as well as the White House, where he led organizations providing analysis, strategy, policy development, security services, trade advocacy, public outreach, citizen services, and congressional relations. As undersecretary of defense for policy (August 2005-January 2009), he was DoD's senior policy official, overseeing strategy development with global responsibility for bilateral defense relations, war plans, special operations forces, homeland defense, missile defense, nuclear weapons and arms control policies, counterproliferation, counternarcotics, counterterrorism, arms sales, and defense trade controls.

He served as U.S. ambassador to Finland in the Clinton administration and Turkey in the Bush administration and was Vice President Cheney's principal deputy assistant for national security affairs. He was chief of staff to Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, special assistant to Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Robert Kimmitt, and special assistant to Secretary of State George Shultz.

His other assignments included the State Department Operations Center, Prague, Moscow, and Tel Aviv, where he was a member of the U.S. Middle East delegation to the West Bank/Gaza autonomy talks.

Ambassador Edelman has been awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Presidential Distinguished Service Award, and several Department of State Superior Honor Awards. In 2010, he was named a knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honor.

Ambassador Edelman serves as the Chair of the National Defense Strategy Commission and on the bipartisan board of directors of the United States Institute of Peace.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1013535 095f6679-dae5-4bdc-80b0-b7561a39b1f8 2446 full 1 1 80 80 false Tue, 27 Jun 2023 04:01:21 GMT <![CDATA[David Campbell - Questions on Nuclear Waste Clean-Up]]> David Campbell is the Executive Vice President, EnergySolutions and previously served as the Associate Administrator, Office of Congressional, Intergovernmental & Public Affairs at the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

As the Executive Vice President at EnergySolutions, Mr. Campbell is responsible for all aspects of business development and implementing the company’s growth strategies across the utility, commercial, federal, and international sectors. In addition to his experience as a senior executive in private industry as well as within the US government, he brings a unique experience of over thirty years across the nuclear, defense and environmental markets helping companies break into and grow in existing and new markets. David’s expertise in managing and implementing government, corporate, and commercial business development, marketing, and communications programs across North America and internationally is a key factor in EnergySolutions push to grow across all our sectors. David resides in the Washington DC area and holds a BS in Political Science and Economics from James Madison University and a MA in International Relations and National Security from George Washington University.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1005964 220de665-55c0-4f5e-9281-82a26727f80e 2108 full 1 1 79 79 false Thu, 22 Jun 2023 04:01:09 GMT <![CDATA[Carl Rehberg - Missile Defense and Challenges in the Pacific]]> Dr. Carl Rehberg is a Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. Carl was founder and director of the Headquarters Air Force Asia-Pacific Cell, which played a pivotal role in the development of Air Force strategy, force development, planning, analysis and warfighting concepts supporting initiatives related to Asia-Pacific and the DoD Third Offset Strategy.

Carl spearheaded the establishment of the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) and led the development of innovative concepts and capability proposals to improve DoD’s joint resiliency and integrated air and missile defenses. Prior to this assignment, he was the Assistant Associate Director for AF Strategic Planning and Director, Analysis Division in the AF QDR organization, leading multiple assessments of future capabilities and force structure.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1003836 381848ed-8301-4904-9247-9fbe859d774a 2087 full 1 1 78 78 false Tue, 20 Jun 2023 04:01:47 GMT <![CDATA[Lani Kass, Ph.D. - Thoughts from a career in National Security]]> Dr. Lani Kass is Strategic Advisor for Cyber Reliant Corporation, focused on advancing Cyber Reliant’s National Security & Justice presence and stature in the U.S. national security sector, as well as enhancing and expanding key client and industry relationships. From December 2011 to January 2021, Dr. Kass served the CEO and Executive Chairman of the Board at CACI, as the Senior Vice President and Corporate Strategic Advisor for a $5.7B mission and enterprise technology company whose expertise plays a vital role in national security, safeguarding US troops, and enabling the federal government to deliver cost-effective, high-quality support for all Americans.

Prior to 2012, Dr. Kass served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). She was responsible for the high-level assessments and analyses necessary to render the best military advice and execute the integrated strategies, programs, and plans essential to America’s security. Her contributions were recognized by both the Secretary of Defense and CJCS. She received the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award – the highest award granted to U.S. Government civilian employees.

Dr. Kass also served as the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force (CSAF), Senior Mentor to USAF Project CHECKMATE, and Director of the Cyber Task Force. She developed the intellectual concepts that led to the establishment of the U.S. Cyber Command and continue to underpin U.S. cyber strategy. She was awarded the prestigious Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service by both the Secretary of the Air Force and CSAF.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/996929 9b41dcdc-a52b-43d2-a651-067f008a0cfb 2685 full 1 1 77 77 false Thu, 15 Jun 2023 04:01:07 GMT <![CDATA[Michael Shoults: The U.S. Air Force Integration in the Nuclear Enterprise]]> Michael R. Shoults, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Acting Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Shoults assists in the oversight of the Air Force’s Nuclear Deterrence Operations, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction efforts, Nuclear Command Control and Communication portfolios and international treaties and arms control agreements.

Mr. Shoults was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force upon graduation from Parks College of St. Louis University in 1982. He has an extensive background in Air Force operations, amassing more than 3,000 hours in the B-52H Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer. In addition, he has held several key operational and staff positions at the squadron, wing, numbered Air Force and Headquarters, U.S. Air Force levels. After more than 27 years of active-duty service in the Air Force, Mr. Shoults retired as a colonel and was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2013.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/990467 1a1532bf-1274-4953-b7a1-98e79242d9c0 2118 full 1 1 76 76 false Tue, 13 Jun 2023 04:01:42 GMT <![CDATA[David Jonas, Esq. - Presidential Authority on Imminent Attack ]]> David S. Jonas is a partner at the law firm of Fluet, Huber & Hoang (FH+H). His practice includes corporate transactions, employment law, government contracts, trial and appellate litigation, international law, administrative/regulatory compliance and investigations. He has extensive experience in national security issues and is recognized as one of a handful of experts worldwide in nuclear nonproliferation law. He was a career member of the Senior Executive Service and served as General Counsel of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) where he negotiated numerous multilateral and bilateral international agreements to include the U.S. – India Civil Nuclear Agreement. He also served as General Counsel of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.

Prior to his civilian service, he was a career Marine Corps officer where he held a wide variety of command and staff billets. He served as nuclear nonproliferation planner for the Joint Chiefs of Staff negotiating multiple international agreements and has worked extensively with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Conference on Disarmament, and the United Nations. He is one of the only judge advocates to have commanded two units, including a company in an infantry regiment, the 5th Marines.

He argued the case of Davis v. United States, 512, U.S. 452 (1994) at the U.S. Supreme Court becoming the first judge advocate in the history of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force to do so. He received the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces Award for Excellence in Legal Writing and was selected as the Outstanding Career Judge Advocate in the Marine Corps. He concluded his military service as a lieutenant colonel. He is currently an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and George Washington (GW) University Law School and has also taught at the U.S. Naval War College.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/983610 b9bb17bb-71b2-406b-ad5b-ee77b743a1cf 2383 full 1 1 75 75 false Thu, 08 Jun 2023 04:00:58 GMT <![CDATA[Pete Newell - Mission Acceleration and Innovation in Risk Adverse America]]> Pete Newell is a nationally recognized innovation expert whose work is transforming how the government and other large organizations compete and drive growth. A retired Army Colonel and former director of the Army’s Rapid Equipping Force, he is the CEO of BMNT Inc., an internationally recognized innovation consultancy and early-stage enterprise accelerator that helps solve some of the hardest real-world problems in national security, state and local governments, and beyond.

Together with Lean Startup founder Steve Blank and Joe Felter, the retired Army Colonel and former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia; Pete is also founder and co-author of Hacking for Defense (H4D)®, an academic program taught at 50+ universities in the U.S., as the UK and Australia, that has created a national security innovation pipeline as it solves critical national security problems at startup speed.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/982030 e5a784bf-b699-454c-b829-30189e03a934 2171 full 1 1 74 74 false Tue, 06 Jun 2023 04:02:16 GMT <![CDATA[Paul Saunders - Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, and War Crimes]]> Paul J. Saunders was previously Executive Director of the Center for the National Interest (CFTNI) and remains a member of the Center’s Board of Directors and a Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy at CFTNI. He was the Center’s Chief Operating Officer and directed its U.S. - Russian Relations Program in addition to leading projects on other issues, including energy and climate change and U.S.-Japan relations. He was also Associate Publisher of the foreign policy magazine The National Interest, published bi-monthly by the Center for the National Interest.

Mr. Saunders served in the Bush Administration from 2003 to 2005 as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs. In that capacity, he worked on a broad range of transnational issues, including energy and climate change as well as a variety of regional issues. Earlier, Mr. Saunders served as Director of CFTNI from 1997 to 2003 and was Assistant Director from its founding in 1994 until 1997. In 2000, he was a Senior Policy Advisor to the Speaker’s Advisory Group on Russia, established by the Republican Policy Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/975833 4a071d70-360e-4572-8366-b7a06961ce26 2169 full 1 1 73 73 false Thu, 01 Jun 2023 04:01:42 GMT <![CDATA[Daniel Poneman - Reconstituting our Ability to Enrich Uranium]]> Daniel B. Poneman is president and chief executive officer of Centrus Energy Corp. He also serves on the company’s board of directors. From 2009 to 2014, Mr. Poneman was the Deputy Secretary of Energy, also serving as the chief operating officer of the U.S. Department of Energy. His responsibilities spanned the range of U.S. energy policies and programs – hydrocarbons, renewables, nuclear, and efficiency – including cybersecurity, project management, national security, and international cooperation. He was also responsible for the Department’s efforts on resilience and emergency response, in cases ranging from Fukushima to Hurricane Sandy.

Between April 23, 2013, and May 21, 2013, Mr. Poneman served as Acting Secretary of Energy. In prior tours in government, Mr. Poneman served as a White House Fellow and as Director of Defense Policy and Arms Control for the National Security Council. From 1993 through 1996 he was Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Nonproliferation and Export Controls at the National Security Council. His responsibilities included the development and implementation of U.S. policy in such areas as peaceful nuclear cooperation, missile technology, space-launch activities, sanctions determinations, chemical and biological arms control efforts, and conventional arms transfer policy.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/972808 691a70d1-7b77-4067-a1e6-2366798d2acb 2183 full 1 1 72 72 false Tue, 30 May 2023 04:20:20 GMT <![CDATA[Terry Roehrig, Ph.D. - Current Events on the Korean Peninsula]]> Dr. Roehrig is Professor of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval War College. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at the Harvard University Extension School and a non-resident expert with the Center for Korean Legal Studies at Columbia University. He was a Research Fellow at the Kennedy School at Harvard University and a past President of the Association of Korean Political Studies.

Roehrig has written numerous books, articles and book chapters on Korean and East Asian security issues, North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, the Northern Limit Line dispute, the South Korean Navy, deterrence theory and the U.S.-South Korea alliance. His books include Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. Nuclear Umbrella: Deterrence After the Cold War (Columbia University Press) and The Evolution of the South Korea-United States Alliance (Cambridge University Press), co-authored with Uk Heo. He has interviewed with and written for many news organizations including BBC, Bloomberg, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, CNN, CTV (Canada), Fortune, Korea Times, National Interest, Newsweek, NK News, NPR, Reuters, The Hill, UPI and Voice of America. Dr. Roehrig received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.A. from Marquette University, both in political science.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/966892 9c19a518-094f-43b8-a968-a0f337761e4d 2211 full 1 1 71 71 false Thu, 25 May 2023 04:00:39 GMT <![CDATA[The Honorable Rob R. Hood - The History of the NNSA and Where are We Now?]]> The Honorable Robert R. Hood served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs at the Pentagon. In this role, he supported the Secretary of Defense and the Department's other senior leaders by promoting the policies, strategies, and budget of the Department of Defense (DOD) to the United States Congress.

Prior to being confirmed as an Assistant Secretary, Rob served as the Vice President for Government Affairs at CH2M HILL, a fortune 500 engineering company. Rob previously served in the White House as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush in the Office of Legislative Affairs. Before working on the White House staff, Rob served at the DOD as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs and as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) for Budget and Appropriations Affairs. Prior to the Pentagon, Rob served as the Director of Congressional Affairs for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency within the Department of Energy responsible for maintaining the nation's nuclear weapon stockpile and nonproliferation efforts.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/963998 015508af-c458-4f31-93f7-b6d3bb7e6cd5 2203 full 1 1 70 70 false Tue, 23 May 2023 04:02:11 GMT <![CDATA[Lt Col Raymundo Vann Jr. and Capt Gabriella Graham - It’s a Family Affair: U.S. Air Force]]> LT COLONEL RAYMUNDO M. VANN JR. is the Deputy Commander of the 90th Operations Group at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB), Wyoming. The group he serves operates fifteen Missile Alert Facilities and one hundred and fifty Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), a third of the nation’s ICBM nuclear alert force, which stand on alert and are constantly ready to launch at the direction of the President of the United States. Lt Col Vann graduated and was commissioned from Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas through the Air Force ROTC program in May 2003. He has been qualified in the Minuteman III weapon system. Lt Col Vann has deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch.

CAPT GABRIELLA C. GRAHAM is the Wing Executive officer at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB), Wyoming. She plans, performs, and manages executive support functions, programs, and policies for the wing commander and assists with administration of over 42 units and wing staff. She is accountable to the President, SECDEF, and DUSSTRATCOM for critical launch actions of 150 ICBMs upon direction. Capt Graham graduated and was commissioned from the University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming through the Air Force ROTC program in May 2016. She has been qualified in the Minuteman III weapon system.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/956040 97866ccd-1a63-4966-b0b3-08d3d8bedabe 2162 full 1 1 69 69 false Thu, 18 May 2023 05:06:19 GMT <![CDATA[The Honorable Frank Miller - All Things Nuclear]]> The Honorable Franklin Miller is a principal at the Scowcroft Group. He dealt extensively with nuclear policy and nuclear arms control issues during his 31-year government career, which included senior positions in the Defense Department and on the NSC staff. He was directly in charge of US nuclear deterrence and targeting policy from 1985 to 2001 and also chaired NATO’s senior nuclear policy committee, the High-Level Group, from 1997 to 2001. He is a member of the Strategic Command Advisory Board and served on the Defense Policy Board from 2008-2020. He served on the 2008 Secretary of Defense Task Force on DoD Nuclear Weapons Management (Schlesinger Task Force), on the 2013-2014 Congressional Advisory Panel on the Nuclear Security Enterprise (Mies-Augustine Panel), and is currently a member of the on-going Congressional Commission on Strategic Posture.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/952641 34e2246d-aa9a-49c5-811c-58d306ad7ca2 2150 full 1 1 68 68 false Tue, 16 May 2023 04:01:40 GMT <![CDATA[BG (Ret.) Gregory S. Bowen 2 - The New Role of U.S. Air and Missile Defense]]> Greg’s 36-year military career culminated as the Deputy Director of Global Operations at U.S. Strategic Command, where he was responsible for Department of Defense space activities, ballistic missile defense, cyber operations, strategic deterrence, and nuclear command and control. He was part of the executive leadership team overseeing the operations of 162,000 people, billions of dollars’ worth of equipment, and our nation’s nuclear arsenal.

In addition to his normal duties, Greg was certified as an Airborne Emergency Actions Officer and Designated Command Alternate; in those roles, he was one of a handful of officers certified to brief the President of the United States on nuclear response options.

Greg was selected for Major General (2-star), but elected to retire from active duty to pursue other interests.Greg is a recognized expert in space and missile defense operations, and has been a sought-after speaker on those topics as well as strategic deterrence. He has extensive experience in classified, highly sensitive programs operated by the Department of Defense and others. He has a current TS/SCI clearance with CI Poly.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/946629 9191954f-0aad-4b06-a43a-05a8dbdaecb2 2064 full 1 1 67 67 false Thu, 11 May 2023 04:02:27 GMT <![CDATA[Steve Blank - Innovation in the Nuclear Enterprise]]> Steve Blank is an adjunct professor at Stanford and a co-founder of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation. Steve consults for the National Security establishment on innovation methods, processes, policies, and doctrine.

His book The Four Steps to the Epiphany is credited with launching the Lean Startup movement. He created the curriculum for the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps.

At Stanford he co-created the Department of Defense Hacking for Defense and Department of State Hacking for Diplomacy curriculums. His follow-on book The Startup Owner’s Manual described a process for turning ideas into scale and his Harvard Business Review cover story redefined how large organizations can innovate at speed. Steve's latest class at Stanford, Technology, Innovation, and Great Power Competition, is providing crucial insight on how technology will shape all the elements of national power.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/943661 841bd681-e276-4677-8507-3c7242dd66d6 2350 full 1 1 66 66 false Tue, 09 May 2023 04:22:58 GMT <![CDATA[Col., USAF (Ret.) Mike Guillot - Sharing Expertise in the Nuclear Enterprise Through Writing]]> Mike Guillot, Colonel, USAF, (Retired) is the former editor of Strategic Studies Quarterly, a position he held for over 11 years (2009-20). As SSQ editor, he produced the first ever special editions covering Cyber, Space, Asia-Pacific, CMR, Austere Defense, Deterrence, and Emerging Technology. During his thirty-year Air Force career, he flew five major weapons systems including the B-52H, KC-10A, VC-137B/C, KC-135R, and EC135N/Y.

Mike spent two years on the ACSC faculty (91-93) and over four years on the Air War College faculty (00-04). He is a former operations officer, squadron commander, US Army joint planner, and former US Air Attaché to France.

In 2007 Mike became the first Educational Support Squadron commander, the Director of International Officer School, and Director of AU International Affairs. He earned a Master’s degree in national security strategy from the National War College (98) and holds an MBA degree from the University of South Dakota (83).

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/936063 56901657-9b38-4173-9a88-337ea644cd44 2451 full 1 1 65 65 false Thu, 04 May 2023 05:01:03 GMT <![CDATA[B.G. John Weidner - Weapons Effects, Modernization, and Policy]]> Brigadier General John W. Weidner assumed the duties as Deputy Director, Plans and Policy, United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), on May 4, 2020. General Weidner was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1991 upon graduation from the Army ROTC program at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics.

He completed a Ph.D. in medical physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2012, and holds Master of Science degrees in medical physics, nuclear engineering, engineering management, and strategic studies. His military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. He is also a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Wisconsin. General Weidner most recently served as the Director of the US Army Nuclear and Countering WMD Agency at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he led the Army's capability to integrate nuclear weapon effects into conventional operations, and supported Army service component commands with nuclear and countering WMD expertise.

General Weidner previously served as the Director of the USSTRATCOM Commander Action Group; Director for Strategic Capabilities Policy in the Defense Policy and Strategy Directorate on the National Security Council staff; Executive Director for the Office of Major Modernization Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy; assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Physics at the Air Force Institute of Technology; stockpile associate for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) at Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico; consequence management advisory team leader for DTRA at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; assistant professor in the Department of Physics at the United States Military Academy at West Point; and Deputy District Engineer for the St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He commanded B Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado and served as an Engineer Platoon Leader at Fort Riley, Kansas and in the Republic of Korea.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/933467 f05f06bb-6f8f-400f-a0a8-e9a15f4d9b26 2231 full 1 1 64 64 false Tue, 02 May 2023 09:01:48 GMT <![CDATA[Christine M. Leah, PhD - Where Does Australia Stand on the U.S. Extended Deterrence]]> Christine is a fellow with the National Institute for Deterrence Studies. She has worked in government, she was a visiting fellow at CISS Pakistan, a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Grand Strategy Program at Yale University, a Stanton Postdoctoral Fellow in Nuclear Security at MIT, a visiting fellow at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies, a journalist for Karen News on the Thai-Burma border, a summer research fellow at RAND, and a research intern at IISS-Asia, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and IISS-London.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/926839 bd236581-b6d0-4393-bc88-a0c92f29f3fc 2130 full 1 1 63 63 false Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:01:12 GMT <![CDATA[Eric Wollerman - Manufacturing and Supply Chain in the Nuclear Enterprise]]> Eric Wollerman is President of Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies (FM&T). FM&T manages and operates the U.S. Department of Energy’s Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC). With nearly 6,500 employees in Kansas City and Albuquerque, the KCNSC provides national security through their diverse engineering, manufacturing, and secure supply chain management activities.

As Honeywell FM&T president, Wollerman is responsible for applying best-in-class commercial standards in managing operations and delivering outstanding mission results with a $1.8B annual operations budget. Since joining FM&T in April 2020,

Wollerman has been leading KCNSC’s strategies, including: delivering operational excellence in nuclear weapons and national security missions with a focus on quality, early design engagement and delivery requirements; embracing digital transformation tools and technologies to enhance our mission; strategic planning for KCNSC’s infrastructure; supply base and workforce needs for today and the future; and, unlocking the value of our people and processes while enhancing the organization’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Acceptance (IDEA) strategies.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/923535 ae4df071-2981-4a90-a412-655a5270cb7c 2398 full 1 1 62 62 false Tue, 25 Apr 2023 09:00:44 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Kerry M. Kartchner - Arms Control and Russia’s Objectives]]> Retired in 2018 from a career in the U.S. Department of State and the Defense Department, where he was primarily responsible for nuclear weapons policy and nonproliferation issues. During his career, he negotiated nuclear arms control agreements with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine, he participated in several inspections of Russian nuclear weapon facilities, and was the State Department’s representative to the ABM Treaty commission when the U.S. withdrew from that treaty.

Dr. Kartchner led the team that drafted the 2004 joint Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense statement on the need for strategic nuclear modernization. He was the State Department representative to the 2009 congressionally charted Strategic Posture Review Commission, chaired by former Secretaries of Defense William J. Perry and James R. Schlesinger. As senior foreign policy advisor at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, he organized and participated in nuclear dialogues with numerous countries.

He is the co-editor and contributor to several books on U.S. national security. His co-edited 2014 book, On Limited Nuclear War in the 21st Century is widely read today in the strategic nuclear community, and has been translated into Korean for use in the South Korean senior officer’s education program. His MA and PhD in international relations are from the University of Southern California, and his BA is from Brigham Young University.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/915508 20bb01b2-91a9-4819-b672-d1fdf703513f 2071 full 1 1 61 61 false Thu, 20 Apr 2023 09:00:58 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Mark Herrmann and Dr. Charles Nakhleh - U.S. National Laboratories, Stockpile Stewardship and Workforce]]> Mark C. Herrmann, Ph.D. Program Director for the Weapon Physics and Design within Weapons and Complex Integration Directorate Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Dr. Herrmann leads LLNL’s efforts to strengthen our nation’s nuclear deterrent by advancing our understanding of nuclear weapons physics and design. This includes the physics design, assessment, and certification efforts for the enduring LLNL systems (W80, B83, W87), the W80-4 Life Extension Program, and the W87-1 Modification program. He also leads weapon science research and development, including focused experiments, integral hydrodynamic and subcritical experiments, high-energy-density (HED) experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), and modeling and simulation using NNSA’s high performance computing capabilities. Dr. Herrmann has been in this role since January 2022.

Charles W. Nakhleh, Ph.D. Associate Laboratory Director for Weapons Physics (ALDX) Los Alamos National Laboratory. In this role, Dr. Nakhleh has line responsibility for the nuclear weapons designers and simulation code architects at the Laboratory, as well as program responsibility for the NA-11 weapons science, computing, and technology maturation portfolio. Prior to taking on his current role, he was the Executive Officer to the Deputy Director for Weapons (DDW), where he was responsible to the DDW for integrating and aligning activities across the weapons program.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/912725 e77bfad3-6d56-48eb-b371-e70e8a9f3df9 2536 full 1 1 60 60 false Tue, 18 Apr 2023 09:00:54 GMT <![CDATA[Sarah Mineiro - Acquisition Reform in the Nuclear Enterprise/Embedding AI in NC3]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/906225 f326af2a-54cb-491a-b2c0-0153de85ecd6 2277 full 1 1 59 59 false Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:00:35 GMT <![CDATA[Stephen Blank, PhD - Russia and Ukraine, A Historical Perspective]]> Dr. Blank is an internationally recognized expert on Russian foreign and defense policies and international relations across the former Soviet Union. He is also a leading expert on European and Asian security, including energy issues.

Since 2020 he has been a Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. In 2020-21 he also was a Senior Expert for Russia at the U.S. Institute of Peace and Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council. From 1989-2013 he was a Professor of Russian National Security Studies at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Blank has consulted for the CIA, major think tanks and foundations, chaired major international conferences in the USA and abroad In Florence, Prague, and London, and has been a commentator on foreign affairs in the media in the United States and abroad. He has also advised major corporations on investing in Russia and is a consultant for the Gerson Lehrmann Group.

He has published over 1300 articles and monographs on Soviet/Russian, U.S., Asian, and European military and foreign policies, including publishing or editing 15 books, testified frequently before Congress on Russia, China, and Central Asia for business, government, and professional think tanks here and abroad on these issues. He has also appeared on CNN, BBC, Deutsche Welle, CNBC Asia, and is a regular guest on VOA.Prior to his appointment at the Army War College in 1989 Dr. Blank was Associate Professor for Soviet Studies at the Center for Aerospace Doctrine, Research, and Education of Air University at Maxwell AFB. He also held the position of 1980-86: Assistant Professor of Russian History, University of Texas, San Antonio, 1980-86, and Visiting Assistant Professor of Russian history, University of California, Riverside, 1979-80.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/902829 2ea82e18-de88-4e20-894f-fcb7e1160737 2189 full 1 1 58 58 false Tue, 11 Apr 2023 09:01:28 GMT <![CDATA[Samuel S. Stanton, Jr., PhD - Theories of International Relations]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/897259 1883c11d-2c51-4684-b3ef-28a02a6fb4ae 2274 full 1 1 57 57 false Thu, 06 Apr 2023 09:01:04 GMT <![CDATA[Lt. Col. Derek Williams - Keeping ICBM force on Alert and the Doctrine of "Launch on Warning"]]> Lt Col Derek Williams is the Commander of the 803d Operations Support Squadron. He received his commission through the ROTC program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2005. Following completion of Combat System Officer and B-52 Initial Qualification Training as a Distinguished Graduate,

He began his career as a B-52 Navigator with the 23d Bomb Squadron at Minot AFB, North Dakota. During his time at Minot, he upgraded to Radar Navigator, Instructor and Evaluator along with deploying twice in support of the Pacific Continuous Bomber Presencemission. In 2011, he transitioned to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, to attend the United States Air Force Weapons School.

Upon graduation, Lieutenant Colonel Williams served as the Flight Commander for the Conventional and Nuclear Operations and Plans Flights in the 2d Operations Support Squadron. Later, he served as the Chief of Bomber Operations and Programs at Headquarter Air Force Global Strike Command where he advised both the Commander and Vice Commander on nuclear force improvement issues and programs with Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force visibility.

He also authored the curriculum and founded the School of Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies. Lieutenant Colonel Williams is a graduated Air Force Fellow from Sandia National Laboratories, where he completed their Weapon Intern Program, studying the historical development of nuclear weapons technologies to inform current and future stockpile activities, deterrence strategies, and the growing body of work on United States nuclear policy.

After completing his time as an Air Force Fellow, he served as the Deputy Branch Chief for International Treaties and Agreements, as a Speechwriter to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, and as the Branch Chief for Stockpile Science and Technology on the Air Staff.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/894302 747bb9e7-aa82-4411-bee7-b50f4e51418e 2303 full 1 1 56 56 false Tue, 04 Apr 2023 09:02:01 GMT <![CDATA[Maj. Gen. USAF (Ret.) Richard Evans 2 - Airborne Leg of Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3)]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/886796 e80a836e-19e3-43bf-9853-236ea64665cd 2247 full 1 1 55 55 false Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:00:17 GMT <![CDATA[Brig. Gen. Ty Neuman - The Role of Nuclear Weapons in the Air Force Future Concepts]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/884491 2a68b8d0-61ea-41dd-aa62-c71c9d467408 2311 full 1 1 54 54 false Tue, 28 Mar 2023 09:01:34 GMT <![CDATA[Bob Peters 2 - The Future of Arms Control]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/877793 6b21914d-5637-483d-8bb6-d68dbec7ad90 2190 full 1 1 53 53 false Thu, 23 Mar 2023 09:01:04 GMT <![CDATA[Robyn Hutchins - Recruiting and Retaining Young Talent in Our Nuclear Enterprise]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/874878 d2d51fe4-a0c9-42b0-9626-9f239b5ae84b 2118 full 1 1 52 52 false Tue, 21 Mar 2023 09:01:52 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Donald Gooch: How Do We Measure Deterrence?]]> Donald M. Gooch is an Associate Professor of Political Science in the Department of Government at Stephen F. Austin State University. He is also a Fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies. He received his M.A. in political science from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 2002 and his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2009. He was appointed to the SFA faculty in August of 2012 and received his M.S. in Statistics in December, 2022 from SFA.

Dr. Gooch is a statistical and research consultant. He has worked on varied projects, including with Gooch Consulting on weather performance reliability for PepCo and with LTI on performance assessment for the USAF.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/868475 88791422-e7fd-4bc6-adbe-7a4763702529 2044 full 1 1 51 51 false Thu, 16 Mar 2023 09:01:13 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. James Petrosky 2 - Electromagnetic Pulse and the Power Grid]]> Dr. James C. Petrosky is the President of the National Institute for Deterrence Studies (NIDS). He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Engineering Physics where he developed experimental techniques for the prediction of damage to electronic devices and materials. He has substantial technical expertise in pulsed radiation effects and nuclear weapon survivability, with an emphasis on radiation effects on electronics and electromagnetic pulse.

Previously, Dr. Petrosky served at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) where he achieved the academic rank of Professor of Nuclear Engineering. At AFIT he sustained an ABET accredited Nuclear Engineering program serving the unique military and civilian advanced education requirements for the DoD.

Dr. Petrosky has published in 96 public and government classified peer-reviewed journals. He retired from the U.S. Army in 2004 as a Lieutenant Colonel, after serving as an Engineer Officer and Nuclear Research Officer.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/865026 07f18e9a-cc37-4102-aea1-1ba2b2ecf0fe 2123 full 1 1 50 50 false Tue, 14 Mar 2023 09:00:51 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Robert Smith - Workforce, Recruitment and the Changing Demographics]]> Dr. Rob Smith is Amentum’s Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In this role, he is responsible for leading the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion vision and strategy by developing and implementing programs and initiatives that advances Amentum’s business objectives and reinforces the organization’s culture.

Previously, Dr. Smith served as BAE Systems’ Intelligence and Security Sector Director of Talent Acquisition and Diversity and Inclusion (D&I). He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for 28 years, retiring at the rank of Captain/O-6. In his final assignment he served as Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Recruiting Command in Washington, DC.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/858249 a76403be-27a7-4ad9-bc15-43dae57b636b 2025 full 1 1 49 49 false Thu, 09 Mar 2023 10:01:10 GMT <![CDATA[Peter Huessy 2 - Russia Ceases to Comply with New START]]> Peter Huessy is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute, where he focuses on nuclear deterrence and modernization, arms control, and defense policy. Mr. Huessy has spent the past four decades laying out the requirements for nuclear deterrence and modernization, arms control, and defense policy, as well as the companion efforts on missile defense, space, non- and counterproliferation, particularly using public diplomacy to further US policy. His work has also focused on the threats from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/856184 17a4e3ff-5a30-449c-aa1e-2d10d7a9b924 2269 full 1 1 48 48 false Tue, 07 Mar 2023 21:47:08 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. John Laudun - How to Craft Your Narrative of Deterrence]]> John Laudun is on the faculty at the University of Louisiana, where his research focuses on computational models of discourse, especially narratives, and how they cascade through socio-cultural networks both online and off. His work has appeared in a variety of academic journals and edited volumes, and he has been cited or interviewed in newspapers and documentaries. He has been a Jacob K. Javits Fellow, a MacArthur Scholar, and a senior researcher at UCLA’s Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/847731 b10edc42-ee8f-4ba0-9083-3cccd1976205 2194 full 1 1 47 47 false Thu, 02 Mar 2023 10:01:02 GMT <![CDATA[BRIG GEN. USAF (RET) Rob Spalding - Chinese Strategy, Active Defense and EMPs]]> US Air Force Brigadier General (ret) Rob Spalding is the former White House National Security Council senior director for strategic planning and served in senior positions of strategy and diplomacy within the Defense and State Departments

for more than 26 years. Rob is the founder and CEO of SEMPRE, the only technology company created to protect and secure our most critical resource: data.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/845143 1210a4f2-2584-4ba1-aa1d-9883c3781a20 2046 full 1 1 46 46 false Tue, 28 Feb 2023 10:01:26 GMT <![CDATA[Zachary Kallenborn 2 - Chinese Spy Balloons, Drones and Growing Concerns]]> Zachary is a Policy Fellow at the Schar School of Policy and Government, a Fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, a Research Affiliate with the Unconventional Weapons and Technology Division of the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), an officially proclaimed U.S. Army "Mad Scientist," and Senior Consultant at ABS Group.

He has published over 50 articles on autonomous weapons, weapons of mass destruction, and apocalyptic terrorism in a wide range of peer-reviewed, wonky, and popular outlets, including the Brookings Institution, Foreign Policy, Slate, Terrorism and Political Violence, and Parameters. Journalists have written about and shared that research in the New York Times, NPR, Forbes, the New Scientist, WIRED, and the BBC, among dozens of others in dozens of languages.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/838273 48817720-f367-44d3-8cc0-45b59a9bc08e 1973 full 1 1 45 45 false Thu, 23 Feb 2023 10:01:00 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Mark Peters - Battelle & National Laboratories - Their Role in Nonproliferation and Clean Energy]]> Mark Peters is the Executive Vice President for National Laboratory Management and Operations at Battelle Memorial Institute with responsibilities for governance and oversight of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security national laboratories for which Battelle has a significant lab management role. Previously, he was the director of Idaho National Laboratory and president of Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/835050 7f4098db-0eaa-4500-8b77-ad3a5e709cce 2104 full 1 1 44 44 false Tue, 21 Feb 2023 10:00:57 GMT <![CDATA[Rebekah Koffler - Ukraine, Russia and Putin’s Playbook]]> Rebekah Koffler is a Russian-born, former Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) officer and specialist in Putin and Russian Doctrine & Strategy. She is also a communism survivor. Working with the DIA and CIA’s National Clandestine Service, Rebekah has led “red” teams during wargames and briefed the Pentagon, the White House, and NATO on Russian Doctrine & Strategy. U.S. military commanders have called her a “national asset,” and she received the National Intelligence Professional Award. As a top intelligence officer on the Russia target, Ms. Koffler has delivered classified briefings to top U.S. military commanders, NATO ministers, the directors of the CIA and DIA, the National Security Council, and senior congressional staff. Rebekah’s new book, Putin’s Playbook: Russia’s Secret Plan to Defeat America, describes Moscow’s strategic ambitions, including the Kremlin’s master plan to reconstitute a USSR-like alliance and also to transform the United States, through ideological subversion, from a free capitalist society into a totalitarian socialist state.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/828177 cdc8c521-d015-420e-b1bd-715711f7139b 2457 full 1 1 43 43 false Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:00:46 GMT <![CDATA[U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry - The Ebb and Flow of Today’s Nuclear Issues in Congress]]> Since leaving Congress after 26 years, which included service as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Mac continues to work at the intersection of technology and national security with various companies and organizations.

Mac led in creating the National Nuclear Security Administration to improve management of the nation’s nuclear weapons complex; establishing the Department of Homeland Security (introducing a bill to do so six months before the attacks of 9/11); preparing the military to defend the nation in new domains of warfare such as space and cyber; and improving DOD’s innovation and acquisition efforts.

In addition to serving on the House Armed Services Committee throughout his time in Congress, Mac also served on the House Intelligence Committee for 14 years. He has written widely on defense matters and appeared on all major television channels providing insight on national security-related issues.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/825016 51548fd4-7a43-4c7d-b8c5-dfda609637c3 2185 full 1 1 42 42 false Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:01:47 GMT <![CDATA[Curtis McGiffin Part 2 - Integrated Deterrence]]> Curtis McGiffin is currently a Visiting Professor with the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies at Missouri State University where he teaches graduate and doctorate courses on deterrence and grand strategy. Previously, he was the Associate Dean of the School of Strategic Force Studies at the Air Force Institute of Technology, where he led a robust portfolio of USAF professional continuing education programs supporting the AF nuclear enterprise. He also has ~27 years of experience in the USAF as an aviator, commander, staff officer, and educator, most of which was supporting the USAF’s nuclear enterprise

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/818004 3d4d15ad-dd37-48e5-82db-8d0d26407c31 2168 full 1 1 41 41 false Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:01:23 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Chris Yeaw - Ultra-Low Yield Weapons - Why does Russia have so Many?]]> Dr. Christopher Yeaw is the Associate Executive Director for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Programs at the National Strategic Research Institute, U.S. Strategic Command’s University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). An integral component of the University of Nebraska, NSRI leads and leverages collaborative efforts with other academic institutions, National laboratories, FFRDCs, UARCs, and non-profit organizations. NSRI’s responsively and enduringly supports the US government in successfully executing the strategic deterrence, nuclear and counter WMD missions with world class research and analysis. The Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Programs Department leads thought and collaborates across the entire range of strategic and nuclear issues: deterrence policy, threat analysis, weapon design, strategic materials, NC3, wargaming, nonproliferation, counter-terrorism, and education.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/814386 02fbb30b-1a0d-41eb-a1ec-79d42783c6eb 2168 full 1 1 40 40 false Tue, 07 Feb 2023 13:33:30 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Jonathan Trexel Part 2]]> Dr. Jonathan Trexel is a faculty member with Missouri State University’s Defense and Strategic Studies graduate program. He teaches on the topics of nuclear strategy, nuclear deterrence, deterrence theory, and arms control. He also consults as a contractor for the US Department of Defense on nuclear deterrence and related topics, a position he has held for over 20 years. Dr. Trexel is a military veteran having served over 21 years in the U.S. Air Force as an enlisted all-source intelligence analyst. He holds a Master's Degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency and a PhD in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln specializing in international relations.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/806762 6cb9afa8-8a00-4f74-82de-e3b4cdce1a51 1819 full 1 1 39 39 false Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:00:27 GMT <![CDATA[David Craig - Make Your Voice Heard: Effective Writing Strategies to Support and Educate on Deterrence and More]]> David Craig is Editor, Real Clear Defense at Real Clear Politics. He was a U.S. Marine for 20 years, serving in Operation Desert Fox (Iraq), Operation Iraqi Freedom (2006-2009 three tours), and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan for all of 2011) and became assistant editor of RealClearDefense in 2015 and editor in 2016.

A majority of his time in the Marine Corps was as an intelligence analyst, but also advisor and part of a Battalion Training Team in Fallujah in 2006.

Craig completed his Masters of Science in Strategic Intelligence at the Defense Intelligence College (2010) now the National Intelligence University.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/803955 526b4c14-8bf3-408e-9a7e-21d44599bd79 2092 full 1 1 38 38 false Tue, 31 Jan 2023 10:01:45 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Jonathan Trexel - Tripolar Arms Race Among the United States, Russia, and China]]> Dr. Jonathan Trexel is a faculty member with Missouri State University’s Defense and Strategic Studies graduate program. He teaches on the topics of nuclear strategy, nuclear deterrence, deterrence theory, and arms control. He also consults as a contractor for the US Department of Defense on nuclear deterrence and related topics, a position he has held for over 20 years. Dr. Trexel is a military veteran having served over 21 years in the U.S. Air Force as an enlisted all-source intelligence analyst. He holds a Master's Degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency and a PhD in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln specializing in international relations.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/795628 334873ab-7142-4fb4-9b76-c6355cbd5bb0 2064 full 1 1 37 37 false Thu, 26 Jan 2023 10:00:23 GMT <![CDATA[Major Bryce Acres, Jade Fortiner, Omar Castillo - Attracting and Retaining Talent: Work Force Development]]> Adam interviews Major Bryce Acres National Defense Fellow, NNSA Jade Fortiner NGFP Graduate Fellow - NNSA Office of Defense Programs Omar Castillo NNSA Graduate Fellow, Stockpile Services Division.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/792939 3ed3f576-52ef-468e-b5ce-4d12b634c259 2051 full 1 1 36 36 false Tue, 24 Jan 2023 10:00:35 GMT <![CDATA[Nicolas M. Chaillan- Securing U.S. Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3)]]> Mr. Nicholas M. Chaillan was appointed as the first Air Force Chief Software Officer (CSO), under Dr. William Roper, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, Arlington, VA. He was also the Co-lead for the DoD Enterprise DevSecOps Initiative (DSOP) with the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer. As the Air Force’s former senior software czar, Mr. Chaillan was responsible for enabling Air Force programs in the transition to Agile and DevSecOps to establish force-wide DevSecOps capabilities and best practices, including continuous Authority to Operate (c-ATO) processes and faster streamlined technology adoption.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/786592 6ad59858-6aa2-4e92-be94-9e1edf125390 2136 full 1 1 35 35 false Thu, 19 Jan 2023 10:00:32 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. John Swegle - Chinese Weapons Programs]]> John Swegle works as an independent consultant through the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska on issues related to the effects of nuclear weapons and proliferation on US national security. Immediately prior to that, he was a Senior Advisory Scientist at the Savannah River National Laboratory in Aiken, South Carolina. He began his career at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was a member of the plasma theory group, and then moved to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he conducted and managed analyses of foreign technology and nuclear programs in what was then Z Division; he also worked in a nuclear design division for several years where he was introduced to the basic concepts of nuclear design and nuclear-driven electromagnetic pulse. He is a graduate of Cornell University, where he obtained an MS and PhD in applied physics with a specialty in plasma physics, and the University of Washington in Seattle, where he earned BSEE and MSEE degrees.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/783256 f06d2739-f60b-499d-a8de-7e1fd90636ff 2346 full 1 1 34 34 false Tue, 17 Jan 2023 10:01:34 GMT <![CDATA[Greg Meyer - Pantex, Submarines, and the Role of the Private Sector in Deterrence]]> Greg is Senior Vice President of Fluor’s Mission Solutions Nuclear and Civil Solutions business line with more than 40 years of nuclear operations and safety experience. In his current role, Greg oversees Fluor’s interests in the government construction, base operations, secure services, and environmental and nuclear sectors, as well as commercial nuclear power pursuits. His customers include the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, and the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Previously, Greg was the president and general manager of B&W Technical Services Pantex, LLC. Greg has also held significant senior management positions in operations, project management, and project support at three other DOE sites: Hanford, Savannah River, and Rocky Flats.

Greg completed a 24-year career in the U.S. Navy that included assignments as a submarine commander and a diplomatic post in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was the Joint Chiefs of Staff Representative to the Conference on Disarmament and

a senior member of the U.S. Delegation that negotiated the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Greg received his B.S. in marine engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and M.S. in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He is a graduate of the National War College. He is a Certified Safety Professional and Project Management Professional.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/772610 72881ead-fca7-4928-8d89-ca54935de7b8 2059 full 1 1 33 33 false Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:00:56 GMT <![CDATA[Christopher Stone - Tactical Warning/Strategic Warning and F.O.B.S.]]> Prior to joining Mitchell, Stone served as a strategic consultant supporting the Office of Secretary of Defense, and he was a Presidential appointee in the Office of Secretary of Defense's Space Policy office. Stone has served on the staffs of two United States Senators, as well as over a decade serving as a senior space policy analyst for two Secretaries of the Air Force; Chief of Staff of the Space Division at Air Force International Affairs, and Chief of Strategy for the National Guard Bureau's Space

Operations Directorate, Pentagon. He has served as a space operations officer in the Air Force (Regular, Reserve and now

National Guard) for over 17 years at tactical, operational, and strategic levels to include two Combatant Commands, Joint Staff,

and Air Staff strategy and campaign planner positions.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/772608 8db5a68b-fc86-4d08-a1b3-7e7db329ee5e 1978 full 1 1 32 32 false Tue, 10 Jan 2023 10:00:38 GMT <![CDATA[BG (Ret) Greg Bowen - U.S. Strategic Command and Missile Defense Review]]> Greg Bowen’s 36 year military career culminated as the Deputy Director of Global Operations at U.S. Strategic Command, where he was responsible for Department of Defense space activities, ballistic missile defense, cyber operations, strategic deterrence, and nuclear command and control. He was part of the executive leadership team overseeing the operations of 162,000 people, billions of dollars’ worth of equipment, and our nation’s nuclear arsenal. He is a skilled planner, and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. In addition to his normal duties, Greg was certified as an Airborne Emergency Actions Officer and Designated Command Alternate; in those roles, he was one of a handful of officers certified to brief the President of the United States on nuclear response options. Greg was selected for Major General (2-star), but elected to retire from active duty to pursue other interests.

Greg graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology, as well as a Master of Science in Space Studies. He also holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/761656 ea54aa1a-cd07-4c76-9c86-e8b30482a594 2078 full 1 1 31 31 false Thu, 05 Jan 2023 10:00:18 GMT <![CDATA[Major General (Ret.) Richard Evans: Components That Comprise the U.S. Nuclear Enterprise]]> Major General, USAF (Ret.) Richard J. Evans III (Rick) serves as the Executive Director for the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI), a national security-focused research institute created by the University of Nebraska. Before joining NSRI, he served more than 35 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, retiring at the rank of Major General in October, 2019. He was previously the Director of Reserve Forces and Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He served as the principal advisor to the Commander on reserve component matters related to the command's diverse missions, including strategic deterrence, nuclear operations and command, control and communications, space and cyberspace operations, full-spectrum global strike, integrated missile defense, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations and joint warfare analysis.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/761652 6e5d60c5-16e4-4210-ac37-afc32f32ddc1 2232 full 1 1 30 30 false Tue, 03 Jan 2023 10:00:37 GMT <![CDATA[NucleCast Holiday Special with Dr. Adam Lowther]]> Thank you for listening to NucleCast in 2022! Here is a special episode for the holiday season, featuring an even more special reading from Adam. NucleCast will return in 2023 with new episodes!

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/752968 b1d7b4bc-f4b7-4fb1-b97a-e5f0341b335a 369 full 1 1 29 29 true Thu, 22 Dec 2022 10:00:43 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. James Petrosky - ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles), Electromagnetic Pulse and More]]> Dr. James C. Petrosky is the President of the National Institute for Deterrence Studies (NIDS). He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Engineering Physicswhere he developed experimental techniques for the prediction of damage to electronic devices and materials. He has substantial technical expertise in pulsed radiation effects and nuclear weapon survivability, with an emphasis on radiation effects on electronics and electromagnetic pulse.

Previously, Dr. Petrosky served at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) where he achieved the academic rank of Professor of Nuclear Engineering. At AFIT he sustained an ABET accredited Nuclear Engineering program serving the unique military and civilian advanced education requirements for the DoD.

Dr. Petrosky has published in 96 public and government classified peer-reviewed journals. He retired from the U.S. Army in 2004 as a Lieutenant Colonel, after serving as an Engineer Officer and Nuclear Research Officer.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/748495 821d909c-0962-4b37-b482-7f1a4d462c11 2387 full 1 1 28 28 false Tue, 20 Dec 2022 10:00:15 GMT <![CDATA[Zachary Kallenborn - Drones: Strategic Uses Now and in the Future]]> Zachary Kallenborn is a Policy Fellow at the Schar School of Policy and Government, a Fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, a Research Affiliate with the Unconventional Weapons and Technology Division of the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), an officially proclaimed U.S. Army "Mad Scientist," and Senior Consultant at ABS Group.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/743797 e354391e-ae2c-4a74-92c1-45527b0700d2 2196 full 1 1 27 27 false Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:01:11 GMT <![CDATA[Lucian Niemeyer - Nuclear Power used in Strategic Defense ]]> Lucian co-founded the non-profit entity, United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power in 2021 to facilitate the use of advanced nuclear reactor for to meet federal and

commercial energy needs. Lucian’s national security expertise spans five decades as an Air Force and the Air National Guard Officer, Professional Staff Member on the Senate Armed Service Committee, and in the Pentagon and White House. Throughout his professional career, he has been a strong advocate for the use of clean, safe advanced nuclear power to enhance energy resiliency with balanced, reliable energy generation sources.

He previously served as an Assistant Secretary of Defense managing the world’s largest real property portfolio, encompassing 28 million acres on 500 installations valued at a trillion dollars. Lucian was responsible for identifying and mitigating risk to national security programs, as well as improving energy and environmental resilience through alternate power generation development and investments in the protection of natural resources.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/741864 82534bc1-f021-4017-8266-df2b68cd295b 2156 full 1 1 26 26 false Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:01:22 GMT <![CDATA[Sam Wilson - Four Schools of Thought on Hypersonics]]> Sam (Robert) Wilson is a senior policy analyst for the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation. In this role, he is responsible for leading work on the nexus of commercial and national security space, comparative space, and missile issues. His work has appeared or been covered in The Washington Post, The Financial Times, Politico, SpaceNews, Breaking Defense, Kyodo News, Japan Today, The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, The Diplomat, Milsat Magazine, and Satellite Magazine, among other outlets.

Prior to joining Aerospace, Wilson served as a senior defense analyst at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, where he focused on strategic force structure and nuclear command, control, and communications. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Virginia. You can follow him on Twitter @spacenukesam.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/735180 7bd7c919-d233-45b1-acdc-e61b0de162c8 2371 full 1 1 25 25 false Thu, 08 Dec 2022 10:00:41 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Adam Lowther - Low Yield Nuclear Weapons]]> Welcome to a special episode of NucleCast! Not only is Dr. Adam Lowther the host of NucleCast, he is Director of Strategic Deterrence Programs at the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska, U.S. Strategic Command's University Affiliated Research Center. Prior to joining NSRI, Dr. Lowther served as the first director of the department of multi-domain operations (MDO) at the Army Management Staff College (AMSC), was a professor at the U.S. Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies, founding director of the School of Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies, Kirtland AFB and director of the Center for Academic and Professional Journals at the Air Force Research Institute (AFRI), Maxwell AFB.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/732461 bed155fd-4c7e-45b0-ba54-ed16dee9eb31 2434 full 1 1 24 24 false Tue, 06 Dec 2022 13:50:44 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Robert Peters - Red Zone Warfare]]> Dr. Robert J. Peters is the former Chief within the Strategic Integration Directorate of the Strategic Trends and Effects Department (STED) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. STED’s mission is to generate timely, credible, and actionable insights into threats within the counter-WMD and counter-emerging threat mission space and to assess the effectiveness of Agency efforts to support the Joint Warfighter.

Prior to joining DTRA, Mr. Peters served as a Senior Research Fellow at National Defense University's Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction. From March-November 2009, Mr. Peters was detailed to the Office of the Secretary of Defense-Policy as Special Assistant to the DASD for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction. In this role, he supported the White House on several key nuclear deterrence and countering WMD initiatives.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/725731 34347211-dae0-4d3f-adda-afeddcfb086d 1953 full 1 1 23 23 false Thu, 01 Dec 2022 06:02:46 GMT <![CDATA[Scott Sudduth - Workforce Development and the Thousands Talent Program]]> Scott Sudduth is a founding partner of Washington Navigators, a strategic consulting firm focused on federal and international issues affecting higher education, innovation and competitiveness, and nuclear national security. He spent 30 years as a member of the senior management teams at four of the nation’s premier comprehensive research universities: the University of California System, the University of Chicago, The University of Texas System, and The Texas A&M University System.

Sudduth has contributed to the proposal teams of several national laboratory competitions and has been deeply involved in the management and oversight of the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration national laboratories. Scott served on the board of Triad National Security, LLC. which manages Los Alamos National Laboratory.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/712516 c6aa65bc-6af4-4fe3-b868-d93c4df67252 2434 full 1 1 22 22 false Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:00:39 GMT <![CDATA[Brigadier General Gerald Goodfellow (Ret.) - Technology and Fastest Around the World Flight and More]]> CEO & Founder of the Small Business Consulting Corporation (SBCC). SBCC helps the military find and connect with innovative companies in order to help transition their best technologies for the nation’s most critical defense missions.

Goodfellow is a 30-year Air Force Veteran who, in his last active-duty military job, served as the Director of Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements at Air Force Global Strike Command located at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. In this position, he was responsible for strategic planning, and for resourcing the nation's Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile force, B-1,B-2 and B-52 bombers, UH-1N helicopters, the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center Aircraft, and Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) systems.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/704140 ad0cf833-44ce-4687-b57c-12ffdfaae86b 2660 full 1 1 21 21 false Tue, 22 Nov 2022 10:00:45 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Michaela Dodge - The Cost of Nuclear Weapons in Deterrence]]> Dr. Michaela Dodge is a Research Scholar at the National Institute for Public Policy. Prior to joining the National Institute, Dr. Dodge worked at The Heritage Foundation from 2010-2019. She left Heritage to serve as Senator Jon Kyl’s Senior Defense Policy Advisor between October to December 2018. Her last position at Heritage was a Research Fellow for Missile Defense and Nuclear Deterrence. Dr. Dodge’s work focuses on U.S. nuclear weapons and missile defense policy, nuclear forces modernization, deterrence and assurance, and arms control. Additionally, she was a Publius Fellow at the Claremont Institute in 2011 and participated in the Center for Strategic and International Studies PONI Nuclear Scholars Initiative Program.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/695765 568887c4-d415-4fe3-a2fb-563a4553e4b9 1724 full 1 1 20 20 false Thu, 17 Nov 2022 10:01:02 GMT <![CDATA[David Beering - Hypersonics]]> David Beering is the owner of Intelligent Designs LLC, a small business based in West Lafayette, IN at the Purdue University Research Park. The firm focuses on Engineering, Design, Integration & Testing, and Implementation of complex communications systems utilizing satellites and high-speed wireless connections. During his career, Beering has held leading roles in more than 85 projects working with organizations including the US Naval Research Laboratory, US Army, Missile Defense Agency, Airbus Defense & Space, Lockheed Martin, The Boeing Company, Ball Aerospace, Sandia National Laboratories, Northrop Grumman, and BP.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/695745 aba64c00-6775-4198-aa0a-92ed41ab1e4b 2157 full 1 1 19 19 false Tue, 15 Nov 2022 10:00:38 GMT <![CDATA[Bruce Klingner - Threats, Challenges and Opportunities in the Korean Peninsula ]]> Bruce Klingner specializes in Korean and Japanese affairs as the senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at The Heritage Foundation’s Asian Studies Center.

Klingner has testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He is a frequent commentator in U.S. and foreign media. His articles and commentary have appeared in major American and foreign publications and he is a regular guest on broadcast and cable news outlets. He is a regular contributor to the international and security sections of The Daily Signal.

From 1996 to 2001, Klingner was CIA’s deputy division chief for Korea, responsible for the analysis of political, military, economic and leadership issues for the president of the United States and other senior U.S. policymakers. In 1993-1994, he was the chief of CIA’s Korea branch, which analyzed military developments during a nuclear crisis with North Korea.

Klingner is a distinguished graduate of the National War College, where he received a master’s degree in national security strategy in 2002. He also holds a master’s degree in strategic intelligence from the Defense Intelligence College and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Middlebury College in Vermont.

He is active in Korean martial arts, attaining third-degree black belt in taekwondo and first-degree black belt in hapkido and teuk kong moo sool.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/687723 dad701d5-3506-4962-951f-42e498c7dd24 1490 full 1 1 18 18 false Thu, 10 Nov 2022 10:00:29 GMT <![CDATA[Colonel Keith Butler - U.S. Senior Military Leader's Thoughts on Nuclear Modernization]]> Colonel Keith J. Butler is the Commander of Detachment 5, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He is the Operational Commander of all B-2 Spirit and T-38 Talon aircraft assigned to the world’s only stealth bomber base and is responsible for the combat readiness of $45B in Air Force assets and 400+ Airmen. Former F-16 and F-117 pilot. Col. Butler served in the Rapid Capabilities Office and Joint Staff, graduated from National Defense University's Center For The Study of WMD Studies, Air Force Institute of Technology, is a former Secretary of Defense Executive Fellow at Autodesk and a former National Technical Fellow at Lawrence Livermore National Lab.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/686927 7524d7a5-a15d-4cef-a9fe-2b3c67b91e32 2173 full 1 1 17 17 false Tue, 08 Nov 2022 10:01:18 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Rob Soofer - SLCM-N and the Nuclear Posture Review]]> The sixteenth episode of NucleCast features Dr. Rob Soofer, a Senior Associate (non-resident) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies (CSS), teaching courses in nuclear strategy, missile defense, and arms control. He serves as a consultant for the Sandia and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories.

Rob was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy from April 2017 to January 2021. Previously, Rob served for eight years as Professional Staff Member and Republican staff lead for the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as Strategic Forces Policy Advisor to Senator Jon Kyl, the Republican Whip. Rob also was Military Legislative Assistant to Senator Slade Gorton (R-WA) and Professional Staff Member on the Senate Republican Policy Committee. He joined the National War College for three years as Professor of National Security Policy, and served for eight years in various policy and international affairs positions with the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization/Missile Defense Agency. In 2003, he was called to active duty as a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve and assigned to the newly created Terrorist Threat Integration Center.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/680514 fbd6fe9a-02b0-4ad5-8e41-96302930956c 2442 full 1 1 16 16 false Thu, 03 Nov 2022 09:00:37 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. John Harvey - Careers in National Security]]> Dr. John R. Harvey is a physicist with over 40 years of experience working nuclear weapons and national security issues, first at LLNL, then at Stanford’s Center for International Security and Arms Control and in senior positions in the Departments of Defense (twice) and Energy. From 2009-2013, he served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs. In this role, he was Undersecretary Ash Carter’s “go to” person for the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review, and for interactions with the NNSA on joint oversight of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile. Dr. Harvey provided oversight to DoD acquisition programs to sustain and modernize nuclear weapons delivery systems and systems for their command and control. He has written and spoken extensively on these issues. On retiring from government service in 2013, he consults with, among others, the Defense Science Board, Institute for Defense Analysis, Los Alamos National Laboratory, U.S. Strategic Command’s Advisory Panel on Nuclear Command and Control and NNSA’s Defense Programs Advisory Committee.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/677866 c5ce6944-c7d6-4a2c-9e32-93d43bd8f852 2032 full 1 1 15 15 false Tue, 01 Nov 2022 09:00:55 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Brent Park - The U.S. National Labs ]]> Dr. Brent Park is a physicist and a former government official; appointed to a position at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) – by the President and in just 6 weeks confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on March 22, 2018. Brent develops policy and technology solutions to real world challenges by leading and coordinating R&D program-development efforts in high-performance computing, big data analytics and decision applications, cyber security, mechanical and electrical engineering, materials science and engineering, physical sciences, and nuclear science and engineering. Prior to joining NNSA, Brent served as Associate Laboratory Director at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and was the director of NNSA’s Remote Sensing Laboratory.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/672689 19551038-0b0f-44c9-acde-32a798310600 1807 full 1 1 14 14 false Thu, 27 Oct 2022 09:00:47 GMT <![CDATA[Bill Ostendorff - Role of the Sea Leg in Nuclear Deterrence]]> Episode 13 of NucleCast features the Honorable William C. Ostendorff! Bill Ostendorff has a distinguished career as an engineer, legal counsel, policy advisor, and naval officer. He currently serves as a nuclear industry adviser for several companies. In addition, he co-chairs a National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine Committee on Risk Analysis for Nuclear War and Nuclear Terror. He also serves as a member of the Intelligence Community Studies Board at the National Academies which advises the Director of National Intelligence on Science and Technology. He served as Principal Deputy Administrator at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in the Bush administration (2007-2009) and as a Commissioner at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (2010-2016) in the Obama administration.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/669356 6c9708dd-2a64-462b-ac4e-9a795f9ef947 2145 full 1 1 13 13 false Tue, 25 Oct 2022 09:00:27 GMT <![CDATA[Jim Howe - Highly Enriched Uranium Needs]]> Episode twelve of NucleCast features an interview with Jim Howe. Jim Howe has extensive experience in nuclear energy, national and homeland security, policymaking, and communications. He has spent the last 12 years working in the nuclear industry, where he was deeply involved in the deployment of state-of-the-art uranium enrichment technology. Jim has worked with a number of advanced reactor developers as they bring their technologies to market, and has collaborated with numerous partners in Congress, the executive branch, trade associations, and industry, in the U.S. and internationally.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/662155 b4d77b4a-2346-429f-ac75-b696f3f822da 1937 full 1 1 12 12 false Thu, 20 Oct 2022 12:01:07 GMT <![CDATA[Brigadier General Stacy Jo Huser - DoD and DoE Integration ]]> Episode eleven of NucleCast has a very special interview with Brigadier General Stacy Jo Huser, the Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. Where she assists the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs to maintain the safety, security, and reliability of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/660255 c1f2bc92-8d31-497e-939e-3d3be2945c11 2176 full 1 1 11 11 false Tue, 18 Oct 2022 12:00:56 GMT <![CDATA[Curtis McGiffin - Nuclear Education]]> Episode ten of NucleCast features Curtis McGiffin. Curtis is currently a Visiting Professor with the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies at Missouri State University where he teaches graduate and doctorate courses on deterrence and grand strategy. Previously, he was the Associate Dean of the School of Strategic Force Studies at the Air Force Institute of Technology, where he led a robust portfolio of USAF professional continuing education programs supporting the AF nuclear enterprise. He also has ~27 years of experience in the USAF as an aviator, commander, staff officer, and educator, most of which was supporting the USAF’s nuclear enterprise.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/654311 9131aa72-4236-4fc7-a683-c10674e45736 2349 full 1 1 10 10 false Thu, 13 Oct 2022 12:00:55 GMT <![CDATA[Dave Trachtenberg - China and Russia Strategy]]> Episode nine of the series features the Honorable David J. Trachtenberg is Vice President of the National Institute for Public Policy, a nonprofit research center in Fairfax, Virginia. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 17, 2017 as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and served in this capacity until his retirement from government service in July 2019. Until January 2018, he also served as the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the principal civilian adviser to the Secretary of Defense on policy matters. He was also the senior Department of Defense civilian official responsible for DoD policy on civilian casualties resulting from military operations.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/651475 e9138a10-52d3-43e1-9ac2-03744ff06273 2131 full 1 1 9 9 false Tue, 11 Oct 2022 11:15:28 GMT <![CDATA[Patty-Jane Geller - SLCM-N (Sea Launch Cruise Missile) and Capital Hill Deterrence Culture]]> Episode 8 of the NucleCast series features Patty-Jane Geller. Patty-Jane Geller is the Senior Policy Analyst for Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense at the Heritage Foundation’s Center for National Defense, where she conducts research, writes, and engages audiences on a variety of issues related to strategic forces.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/645415 07a145a3-3834-48d1-ace2-0739f241c676 2024 full 1 1 8 8 false Thu, 06 Oct 2022 06:54:11 GMT <![CDATA[Senator Kevin Cramer - Minot Air Force Base and Politics of Modernization]]> Episode seven of NucleCast featuring Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota! Kevin Cramer was elected to the United States Senate on November 6, 2018 after serving three terms as North Dakota’s At-Large Member of the United States House of Representatives. He serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and offers Senate perspectives on strategic nuclear modernization and deterrence.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/642604 83d58a8a-9236-48f6-b67c-afcb175be65e 2116 full 1 1 7 7 false Tue, 04 Oct 2022 11:43:16 GMT <![CDATA[David Cherington and Jeff Crater - Advanced Nuclear Weapons Alliance Deterrence Center]]> The sixth episode of NucleCast stars David Cherington and Jeff Crater, co-founders and managing directors of the Advanced Nuclear Weapons Alliance

(ANWA) Deterrence Center. ANWA Deterrence Center raises awareness and educates about the modernization of the U.S. strategic nuclear deterrent. ANWA Deterrence Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/636025 c932fa73-e2ae-4baf-8632-2d99d900bd26 2162 full 1 1 6 6 false Thu, 29 Sep 2022 05:51:58 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Brad Roberts - Theories of Victory]]> Episode five of NucleCast features Dr. Brad Roberts, who has served as director of the Center for Global Security Research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory since 2015. From 2009 to 2013, he was deputy assistant secretary of defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy. In this role, he served as policy director of the Obama administration’s Nuclear Posture Review and Ballistic Missile Defense Review and led their implementation. Prior to entering government service, Dr. Roberts was a research fellow at the Institute for Defense Analyses and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, editor of The Washington Quarterly, and an adjunct professor at George Washington University. Between leaving the Office of the Secretary of Defense in 2013 and assuming his current responsibilities, Dr. Roberts was a consulting professor at Stanford University and William Perry Fellow at the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC). While at CISAC, he authored a book entitled The Case for US Nuclear Weapons in the 21st Century, which won the Choice Award for Outstanding Academic Title in 2016.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/633184 de3dc2eb-6c40-4eae-a74a-e7c0b4fd205a 2037 full 1 1 5 5 false Tue, 27 Sep 2022 12:00:49 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Stephen Cimbala - Minimum Deterrence]]> The fourth episode of NucleCast features Dr. Stephen J. Cimbala, a Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Penn State Brandywine. He is the author of numerous works in the fields of national security studies, nuclear deterrence and arms control, and other topics. An award-winning Penn State teacher, Dr. Cimbala recently co-authored U.S. National Security (Sixth Edition) with John Allen Williams and the late Sam Sarkesian.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/626511 f5dbfaf8-36d1-4e1e-957c-9083e15f11f8 1720 full 1 1 4 4 false Thu, 22 Sep 2022 12:01:11 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Mark Schneider - Russian Nuclear Strategy]]> Episode three of the NucleCast series features Dr. Mark Schneider, a Senior Analyst with the National Institute for Public Policy. Before his retirement from the Department of Defense Senior Executive Service, Dr. Schneider served in a number of senior positions within the Office of Secretary of Defense for Policy including Principal Director for Forces Policy, Principal Director for Strategic Defense, Space and Verification Policy, Director for Strategic Arms Control Policy and Representative of the Secretary of Defense to the Nuclear Arms Control Implementation Commissions. He also served in the senior Foreign Service as a Member of the State Department Policy Planning Staff.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/624298 0c4e56fe-40e0-426c-9099-95f075037cef 1358 full 1 1 3 3 false Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:01:03 GMT <![CDATA[Dr. Lisa Porter and Dr. Michael Griffin - Hypersonics]]> The Second Episode of NucleCast: Dr. Lisa J. Porter and Dr. Michael D. Griffin are the Co-Founders and Co-Presidents of LogiQ, Inc., a company providing high end management, scientific, and technical consulting services. Adam asks important questions about hypersonics, what are they, how are they used and why are they so important.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/618936 4a0a366c-d1b8-4403-9eeb-d9ca06f2fa0e 2444 full 1 1 2 2 false Thu, 15 Sep 2022 11:59:15 GMT <![CDATA[Peter Huessy - book: Guide to Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of Great-Power Competition]]> The first official episode of NucleCast! Adam interviews Peter Huessy who is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute, where he focuses on nuclear deterrence and modernization, arms control, and defense policy. Mr. Huessy has spent the past four decades laying out the requirements for nuclear deterrence and modernization, arms control, and defense policy, as well as the companion efforts on missile defense, space, non- and counterproliferation, particularly using public diplomacy to further US policy. Help us spread the word.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/615787 0b20a9cf-d51b-4706-a335-71544e9266b7 2097 full 1 1 1 1 false Tue, 13 Sep 2022 10:00:58 GMT