NucleCast

In this episode of NucleCast, Adam sits down with Jay Tilden, former Department of Energy intelligence officer, for an inside look at how the U.S. understands, tracks, and deters nuclear risks in an increasingly complex global environment.

From the intelligence role of the Department of Energy to the evolving threats posed by China, Russia, and Iran, Tilden breaks down the realities of nuclear proliferation, the risks of nuclear terrorism, and the critical role of nuclear forensics in deterrence. He also explains why modern nuclear challenges extend beyond weapons—highlighting the growing importance of cybersecurity in the energy sector and the continued need for reliable nuclear power to ensure national and economic security.

Jay Tilden is Managing Director for National Security at Mission Strategies, leading the firm’s national and energy security practice after a 35-year career at the U.S. Department of Energy, including 13 years in the Senior Executive Service.

He most recently served as Director of DOE’s Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, leading nuclear, energy, cyber intelligence, and counterintelligence efforts across the enterprise. Previously, he was Deputy Under Secretary for Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation at NNSA.

Jay is also a 22-year U.S. Army veteran, serving as a Counterintelligence Technician.

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In this episode of NucleCast, host Manolis Priniotakis sits down with former CIA executive Maura Burns to unpack China’s rapidly expanding nuclear capabilities and what they mean for global strategic stability.

China is undertaking an unprecedented pace of nuclear modernization—building out its arsenal, advancing delivery systems, and investing in infrastructure that signals long-term strategic ambition. As Burns explains, Beijing’s actions often speak louder than its official doctrine, raising important questions about transparency, intent, and the future of deterrence.

The conversation explores the drivers behind China’s nuclear buildup, including its pursuit of a more survivable and flexible nuclear triad, as well as emerging technologies such as MIRVs, hypersonic weapons, and fractional orbital bombardment systems. Burns also examines how China’s nuclear growth could reshape arms control paradigms, challenge existing deterrence frameworks, and increase pressure on global strategic stability.

Maura Burns is a transformational enterprise executive who served as Chief Operating Officer of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)—the agency’s third-highest position—until her retirement in 2025, where she led global operations and drove strategic initiatives to modernize technology and strengthen organizational resilience. With more than 30 years of experience across nuclear energy and weapons systems, space and counterspace security, and biosecurity, she previously directed the Weapons and Counter-Proliferation Mission Center, leading a multidisciplinary team of over 500 experts to address emerging threats and advance international collaboration. Known for her transparent, collaborative leadership style, she has been a strong advocate for workforce development, succession planning, and STEM recruitment. A trusted advisor to senior leaders and policymakers, Burns has shaped complex national security decisions and earned some of the nation’s highest honors, including two Presidential Rank Awards and multiple distinguished intelligence medals, reflecting her lasting impact on global security and technology strategy.

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What happens when a nuclear threat becomes real—and who responds first?

In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther speaks with retired Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer Steve Andros about nuclear incident response, interagency coordination, and the growing risks of proliferation and terrorism. From the role of local responders to specialized capabilities like the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST), the discussion highlights how the U.S. prepares for and deters nuclear threats.

The conversation also explores how deterrence extends beyond traditional strategy to include denial, disruption, and threat-based approaches, while separating Hollywood myths from the realities of nuclear security operations.

Steve Andros serves as Policy Advisor and Exercise Planner for the Office of Nuclear Incident Response, supporting the integrated use of U.S. capabilities and the development of national and interagency nuclear response policy. He previously served nearly 30 years as a U.S. Navy EOD officer, including assignments supporting DOE nuclear incident response policy and counter–WMD efforts.

He holds advanced degrees from Johns Hopkins SAIS and the U.S. Army War College, with a background spanning operational, strategic, and interagency nuclear security missions.

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In this episode of NucleCast, the official podcast of the ANWA Deterrence Center, Adam sits down with Todd Sriver, Director of Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3), to examine the current state and future of one of the most critical components of the U.S. nuclear enterprise.

Together, they explore the ongoing modernization of NC3—from legacy systems rooted in 1980s-era technology to a more resilient, digital network-of-networks architecture designed for today’s threat environment. The conversation highlights the technical and strategic challenges of upgrading NC3 while maintaining uninterrupted deterrence.

The episode also dives into emerging threats, including hypersonic weapons, cyber vulnerabilities, and quantum computing, and what they mean for detection, decision-making, and system resilience. Sriver outlines how the U.S. is prioritizing cybersecurity, advanced sensors, and next-generation technologies to ensure NC3 remains secure, survivable, and effective.

Dr. Todd Sriver serves as Director of Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, where he leads modernization, risk management, and development of the NC3 enterprise. He works closely with U.S. Strategic Command to secure resources and address acquisition challenges critical to nuclear deterrence.

A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel with 27 years of service, Dr. Sriver held senior Pentagon roles on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Headquarters Air Force, overseeing national and nuclear command and control systems. He previously served as a Principal Systems Engineer at MITRE, focusing on NC3 and Joint All-Domain Command and Control integration.

He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology, an M.S. from the Eisenhower School, and a B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University.

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AI expert, Jonathan Cefalu, joins the conversation to examine some of the most pressing—and underappreciated—challenges in artificial intelligence safety, from prompt injection vulnerabilities to long‑term risks posed by increasingly capable systems.

The discussion unpacks how seemingly technical issues like prompt injection can undermine reliability and security, why future AI systems may engage in motivated reasoning or resist human attempts to redirect them, and what “governability” really means as AI grows more sophisticated. Cefalu also explores the unique risks AI presents in military and defense applications, including the implications for deterrence, escalation management, and decision‑making under pressure.

The episode concludes with a forward‑looking discussion on regulatory approaches, ethical principles, and practical safeguards needed to prevent AI systems from becoming unsafe, unpredictable, or misaligned with human intent—while still enabling innovation and responsible use.

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Former senior national security official Frank Rose joins the conversation to examine the future of arms control, nuclear policy, and strategic stability in an increasingly complex global environment.

Drawing on his extensive experience in arms control, missile defense, and nuclear security, Rose offers a candid assessment of how arms control must adapt to a world shaped by great‑power competition, emerging technologies, and evolving threats from China and other strategic competitors. He explores arms control not as an end in itself, but as a practical tool for managing risk to the United States and its allies.

The discussion also takes a hard look at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)—its structure, mission, and strategic role—and considers whether organizational reform may be necessary to meet future nuclear security challenges. Rose addresses the technological pressures reshaping deterrence, the realities of stockpile stewardship, and why sustaining credibility may require difficult choices in the years ahead.

Frank A. Rose is President of Chevalier Strategic Advisors, a strategic advisory firm focused on the intersection of geopolitics, national security, and defense technology. He advises companies, investors, and institutions on strategic risk, government engagement, and emerging defense and dual-use technologies.

Previously, Rose served as Principal Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (2021–2024), where he helped oversee the U.S. nuclear security enterprise. He also served as Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Defense Policy (2009–2017), leading U.S. policy on nuclear deterrence, arms control, missile defense, space security, and allied defense cooperation. Earlier in his career, he was a Professional Staff Member on the House Armed Services Committee and a policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Rose is a frequent commentator and author on national security and strategic technology issues, with appearances across major media outlets and policy forums.

He holds a B.A. in History from American University and an M.A. from King’s College London.

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Most discussions of AI and nuclear deterrence miss a critical question: does AI reinforce human decision‑making—or risk replacing it? In this episode, security expert Tom Summers outlines a practical framework for responsible AI use in the nuclear enterprise and explains why it matters for strategic stability.

The conversation explores how AI can strengthen deterrence through enhanced intelligence analysis, predictive maintenance, cyber defense, and early‑warning anomaly detection—capabilities that can reduce uncertainty and prevent accidents. At the same time, it examines the dangers of unrestrained automation, from autonomous targeting and AI‑enabled hypersonics to disinformation and compressed decision timelines.

Drawing on historical nuclear near‑misses and emerging technologies, Tom emphasizes the importance of trustworthy data, ethical guardrails, and meaningful human control. This episode is essential listening for policymakers and defense professionals navigating the future intersection of AI, deterrence, and nuclear security.

The Honorable Thomas A. Summers retired from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board in October 2025 after serving over 5 years. Mr. Summers previously served as Senior DOE Advisor and Deputy for Research, Development, Test, & Evaluation in Defense Programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration. He’s also a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with over three decades of active duty in a variety of command and scientific roles.

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NucleCast welcomes, emerging scholar Alyssa Agard who talks about Chinese strategic thinking, system destruction warfare, and what these concepts mean for the future of deterrence and strategic stability. Drawing on Chinese military theory, the discussion explores how Beijing approaches conflict—not by matching capabilities symmetrically, but by targeting critical systems to destabilize adversaries from the outset.

Agard breaks down how the People’s Liberation Army integrates artificial intelligence, hypersonics, and other advanced technologies into its military strategy, and why these developments complicate traditional deterrence models. The conversation also examines the security dilemma created by rapid technological competition and whether China’s current military posture is as stable as it appears.

Beyond strategy and technology, this episode highlights the importance of cultivating the next generation of defense thinkers. Agard shares her own path into defense policy and explains why recruiting and mentoring young professionals is essential to sustaining credible deterrence in an era of accelerating change.

Alyssa Agard is the Chairman, President, and CEO of Agard Research Associates Inc. (ARA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute and think tank based in New Jersey. She is a Master of Public Policy candidate at Rutgers University, concentrating in Political Processes and Institutions, with a research focus in foreign affairs and defense policy. Her work centers on Chinese military modernization, strategic competition, and the intersection of emerging technology with nuclear deterrence and strategic stability. Her recent work includes "The Intelligentized Security Dilemma: Systems Destruction Warfare, Technological Entanglement, and the Erosion of Strategic Stability," and she is currently pursuing research on fallout mitigation capabilities, environmental war planning, and their implications for deterrence theory. She also serves as an Archival Research and Policy Intern at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, and publishes the Vita Republica newsletter through ARA.

Article: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.agardresearchassociates.org_the-2Dintelligentized-2Dsecurity-2Ddilemma&d=DwMF-g&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=ZvXeIT1LIz3UUCN7C8qCJhqw-7OlcTkFBtdJmO9qO78&m=JsLBXHVP7nHdvNnClzUPRlwHKYGB3Dt-WZ3ZkEg-pBoRuJLUqSFOaX6BMGh1no2T&s=MnAGKUwyt19xLZbJJrOzDxZIsNtHyDlUj-yiggOZ8HU&e=

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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.

David Albright, a physicist, is Founder and President of the non-profit Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, DC. He has conducted numerous assessments of secret nuclear weapons programs throughout the world, and the means states use to obtain nuclear weapons capabilities. During his career, Albright has testified numerous times on nuclear issues before the U.S. Congress and advised numerous governments. He has spoken to many groups, technical workshops, and conferences. He has published many reports on the Institute’s website and also in Science, Scientific American, the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Science and Global Security, Washington Quarterly, and Arms Control Today. The media have frequently cited Albright, and he has appeared often on television and radio. Albright has authored or co-authored nine books, including Revisiting South Africa’s Nuclear Weapons Program, Illicit Trade Networks—Connecting the Dots, Peddling Peril: How the Secret Nuclear Trade Arms America’s Enemies, Solving the North Korean Nuclear Puzzle, Taiwan’s Former Nuclear Weapons Program, and Iran’s Perilous Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons. He received a Master of Science in physics from Indiana University in 1980, a Master of Science in mathematics from Wright State University in 1977, and a Bachelor of Science from Wright State University in 1975. Albright also received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Wright State University in 2007.

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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.

Manolis Priniotakis is a U.S. national security leader with more than two decades of experience shaping intelligence strategy, operations, and education. He is the CEO and Founder of Intelligence & National Security Directions, LLC, and a Non‑Resident Senior Fellow at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute. Formerly a senior leader in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and Chief of Staff for DOE Intelligence and Counterintelligence, he has overseen national‑level intelligence operations, strategy, and budgets. In 2024, he received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service.

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