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Columnists
Pavel Podvig
Shooting down the Star Wars myth
Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative didn't hasten the end of the Cold War, Soviet documents show.
The myth of strategic stability
The pursuit of strategic stability has become the single most serious obstacle to nuclear disarmament.
Point of distraction
As the dispute over missile defense between Russia and the United States shows no signs of calming down, the international community would be wise to remember that missile defense is not the vital national security issue both countries pretend it to be.
Toward a better Nuclear Security Summit
With enough worldwide fissile materials for thousands of weapons, nuclear security must be a top priority. The summit should address the security of military stocks and focus on accountability, standards of physical protection, and coordinated international efforts.
Offense and defense after New START
Missile defense will not disappear from the US-Russian discussions after New START. But there is no reason it should prevent deeper nuclear reductions.
NATO and the future of missile defense in Europe
At the Lisbon summit in November, alliance members will decide on their role in the US missile defense program in Europe. Will this amount to a pointless program or a clever way to forge partnerships among Russia, the US, and NATO?
Assessing START follow-on
The new U.S.-Russian arms control agreement is a modest step toward warhead reduction, but it's a significant step forward for Washington and Moscow's relationship.
What to do about tactical nuclear weapons
Washington and Moscow shouldn't try to find a place for tactical nuclear weapons in the overall balance of their relationship. Instead, the two countries should take them for what they are--weapons with absolutely no military value.
The false promise of missile defense
On the surface, missile defense seems enticing--prevent the delivery of nuclear weapons and prevent nuclear war. But in reality, it's useless.
The Moscow summit: A positive first step
Their commitment to bilateral nuclear arms reductions dominated the headlines, but presidents Obama and Medvedev found additional common ground in Moscow that also should improve U.S.-Russian relations.
What if North Korea were the only nuclear weapon state?
Inevitably, some analysts will use Pyongyang's nuclear test to question the feasibility of a nuclear-weapon-free world. But they're missing the point--a world full of nuclear weapons hasn't deterred North Korea either.
Reaction to the Obama-Medvedev joint statement on arms control
It's encouraging that Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev want to further limit the size of their nuclear arsenals, but any new treaty they formulate must also include strict verification measures.
Broadening the disarmament agenda through START
By voluntarily subscribing to START reporting processes, France and Britain could keep the pressure on Russia and the United States to reduce their nuclear forces.
Russia's new arms development
Hopes are high for a new U.S.-Russian arms control agreement, but in the meantime, Moscow is continuing to develop new weapons programs that will only complicate such an accord.
Formulating the next U.S.-Russian arms control agreement
To achieve the next step in the disarmament process, Washington and Moscow will need to overcome three major points of disagreement. Here's how they can do it.
Barack Obama's missile defense challenge
A new administration means a new opportunity to forge a U.S.-Russian missile defense cooperative in Europe. Getting there won't be easy, but it's not impossible.
A silver lining to the U.S.-India nuclear deal
Although much maligned among arms control advocates, the U.S.-India nuclear deal might actually provide an opportunity to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty regime.
U.S.-Russian relations after the conflict in Georgia
To prevent future conflicts such as the recent fighting in Georgia from developing, Washington and Moscow must build an equitable and trusting partnership.
Profile
Pavel Podvig
A physicist trained at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Podvig works as a research associate at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation. His expertise is in the Russian nuclear arsenal, U.S.-Russian relations, and nonproliferation. In 1995, he headed the Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces Research Project, editing the project’s eponymous book, which provides an overview of the Soviet and Russian strategic forces and the technical capabilities of Russia's strategic weapon systems. His blog, "Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces," updates this information in real time.
Columnist Resources
Recent Work
- "The Window of Vulnerability That Wasn't: Soviet Military Buildup in the 1970s"
International Security (Summer 2008) -
"Russia and the Military Use of Space"
Russian and Chinese Responses to U.S. Military Plans in Space (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2008) -
"Missile Defense in Europe: Dangers and Opportunities"
Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye (September 28, 2007) -
"Russia and the Prompt Global Strike Plan"
PONARS Policy Memo Series, Memo No. 417 (December 2006) -
"Nuclear Exchange: Does Washington Really Have (or Want) Nuclear Primacy?"
Foreign Affairs (September/October 2006)
Recommended Links
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Arms Control Wonk
All the stuff about WMD and the Washington WMD politics -
BeSpacific
Links and brief accounts of reports related to law, technology, and government policy -
International Panel on Fissile Material
A useful source on, well, fissile materials--what they are, where they are, and what we should do about them -
Schneier on Security
A blog covering security and security technology -
Secrecy News
From the Federation of American Scientists' (FAS) Project on Government Secrecy -
Strategic Security Blog
Another FAS blog devoted to global security issues -
World Nuclear News
Online information service that covers the latest developments related to nuclear power