NukeTalk

Ivory towers come crashing down in co-host Michelle Dover’s conversation with Dr. Katlyn Turner, a research scientist at MIT Media Lab. Turner joins this week’s episode of Press the Button to discuss the accountability, investment, and equity practices that can be put into action to create much-needed transformational changes in the nuclear policy field.

On Early Warning, US-China nuclear tensions take the spotlight. Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at The Federation of American Scientists, discusses China’s growing nuclear arsenal with co-host Tom Collina and shares some insight on what that means for the future of US nuclear policy.

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer in discussion with Ploughshares Fund President Emma Belcher. They cover topics ranging from the Iran nuclear deal to President Biden’s upcoming Nuclear Posture Review, as well as the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal. On Early Warning: Ploughshares Fund Senior Program Officer Cara Marie Wagner shares details on an exciting new request for proposals and opportunities to fund new projects.

Chairman Adam Smith of the House Armed Services Committee discusses opportunities President Biden has with the Nuclear Posture Review – working with Russia to reduce the arsenal, getting back to the Iran deal and avoiding nuclear war. Congressman Smith also shares insights on how next year's budget process will drive some of the biggest decisions on nuclear monetization. Extended Early Warning: An in-depth nuclear policy discussion with Dr. Jane Vaynman, Jon Wolfsthal and Lilly Adams.

Mackenzie Cater and Jack Brosnan of the Nuclear Threat Initiative share insights on a new survey that the Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy project conducted about the impacts of COVID-19 on the nuclear policy field. On Early Warning: Zia Mian, physicist and co-director of Princeton University's Program on Science and Global Security, helps us understand the complicated legacy of the late Abdul Qadeer Khan, who is regarded as the father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb. Final Warning: Press the Button Live is on Thursday, October 21.

Join us for Press the Button LIVE: Nuclear Policy in the Biden Administration and Beyond. Thursday, October 21, 11am-1pm PT / 1-3pm CT / 2-4pm ET – LIVE ON ZOOM. Featured speakers include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Chairman Adam Smith of the House Armed Services Committee; Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17). Ploughshares Fund President Emma Belcher featured interview with Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer. On Early Warning with Tom Collina: Lilly Adams, Ben Rhodes, Dr. Jane Vaynman, Jon Wolfsthal. “Out of the Silo,” with Michelle Dover include panelists Joan Rohlfing and Dr. Katlyn Turner. Register at ploughshares.org

London-based Sahil Shah, a policy fellow at the European Leadership Network, discusses with Michelle Dover all things nuclear coming from a transatlantic perspective. They cover the recent US-Russian dialogue, what that means for the New START Treaty and the prospects for the JCPOA and Europe's role in those discussions. On Early Warning: Sina Toossi of the National Iranian American Council discusses with Tom Collina how Iranians have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and how the Biden administration can help with a pledge to vaccinate people in Iran and around the world.

Shannon Bugos at the Arms Control Association is co-author of a new report called “The Allure and Risks of Hypersonic Weapons.” She goes in depth with Michelle Dover on the state of development for hypersonic missiles around the world and what we can do to reduce these threats. On Early Warning: Colleen Moore of Women Cross DMZ discusses North Korea’s recent missile tests, prospects for US-North Korean talks and what the renewed travel ban means for families.

Andrew Bacevich, President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, discusses the chain of command on the nuclear launch procedure during the end of the Trump administration. On Early Warning: Dr. Jeffrey Lewis at the Middlebury institute of International Studies shares his take on the recent ouster of Leonor Tomero as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy at the Pentagon.

Sarah Streyder, executive director of the Secure Families Initiative, joins Tom Collina to talk about the post-September 11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the effects on veterans and military families. On Early Warning, Dr. Emma Belcher offers her in-depth analysis on the new defense deal between the US, UK, and Australia that provides Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

Barbara Slavin of the Atlantic Council talks with Tom Collina about the global war on terror. Slavin shares a perspective on the opportunity costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and its impact on US policies and relationships with Iran and North Korea. On Early Warning, Alex Hall speaks with Zubaida Akbar, an Afghan human rights advocate and expert. They discuss the effects of the past 20 years of war on Afghan civilians and the impression the US and its allies left on the country and its people. Also: Press the Button goes live on October 21!