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Pavel Podvig

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.

The fallacy of the Megatons to Megawatts program

The program that turns Russian highly enriched uranium into U.S. electricity isn't as significant a boon to nonproliferation as advertised.

The push for a new arms control agreement with Russia is ill-conceived

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain wants a new arms control agreement with Moscow. Whether he can secure such a pact is another matter.

Don't block U.S.-Russian nuclear cooperation

From the moment Washington and Moscow announced their "123 agreement," the pact has been attacked from all sides. But its opponents are misguided.

The realities of nuclear fuel supply guarantees

In theory, the idea of providing fuel for new nuclear power plants seems like a good way to stem weapons proliferation. But then there are the practicalities.

The U.S. satellite shootdown: An unnecessary action

Washington's decision to use a missile-defense interceptor to destroy a disabled spy satellite in space came at a high political cost but minimal military gain.

The truth about Russia's military "resurgence"

Prideful talk of new missiles, submarines, and bombers actually reveals weak Russian leadership and a stubborn military-industrial complex that's preparing to fight yesterday's wars.

How Russia's nuclear fuel delivery to Iran benefits nonproliferation

By supplying Iran with nuclear reactor fuel, Moscow might have taken an important step in preventing countries interested in nuclear power from enriching uranium indigenously.

U.S. nuclear weapons security--a "silly" notion

If, as Defense Secretary Robert Gates says, it's "silly" to expect the United States never to misplace its nuclear weapons, shouldn't Washington rethink its reliance on such weapons?

Russia and nuclear disarmament

U.S. political leaders such as Barack Obama might be willing to discuss making a nuclear-weapon-free world a reality, but in Moscow, the tone is decidedly different.

U.S. loose nukes

For years, Washington worried that a lost Soviet nuke could fall into insidious hands. But after misplacing six of its nuclear weapons, the security of the U.S. arsenal is being questioned.

How to make U.S.-Russian relations meaningful

Russia seems amenable to working with the United States on arms control. But for any measures to succeed, Washington needs to be a willing partner.

Why START is important

If both Russia and the United States allow the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty to lapse, they will lose another opportunity for dialogue.

The U.S. and Russia's "ludicrous" missile defense rhetoric

Welcome to the latest version of the missile defense debate, which doesn't sound all that different from the superpower posturing of the Cold War.

Boris Yeltsin's arms control legacy

Russia's first president took an idealistic, human approach to nuclear disarmament--attributes lacking from today's arms control discourse.

A U.S.-Russian missile defense cooperative?

Oddly enough, the U.S.-Russian row over missile defense is exactly what needed to happen for the two countries to start talking again.

Behind Russia and Iran's nuclear reactor dispute

Moscow has long helped Tehran with its nuclear power program, especially the reactor at Bushehr. So why the sudden change of heart?

Missile defense: The Russian reaction

The plan to deploy U.S. missile interceptors in Eastern Europe has toughened Moscow's rhetoric and threatens to further chill U.S.-Russian relations.

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Profile

Pavel Podvig (Profile Image)

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.

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