Content

In the News

Jul 21, 2024

Hays and Massa in Forbes on the risk of a Russian nuclear detonation in space

By Atlantic Council

On July 21, Mark Massa and Peter Hays were quoted in Forbes on nuclear threats to space, drawing from a recent Forward Defense report

Europe & Eurasia Nuclear Deterrence

IranSource

Jul 18, 2024

Pezeshkian’s election could become a burden for Israel

By Raz Zimmt

President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian’s views on Israel mirror the current consensus among Iranian decision-makers.

Conflict Iran
Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS)

Issue Brief

Jul 15, 2024

Modernizing space-based nuclear command, control, and communications

By Peter L. Hays and Sarah Mineiro

While nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) is in the midst of a modernization overhaul, the space-based elements of NC3 face unique geopolitical, technical, and bureaucratic challenges. This paper focuses on space-based missions and elements of the existing NC3 system, analyzing how ongoing modernization programs are addressing these challenges as well as offering recommendations.

China Defense Policy

IranSource

Jul 12, 2024

A JCPOA 2.0 will secure Iran as a threshold state but move it away from a bomb

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Through painful compromises on both sides, the desire to avoid a broad escalation can increase the likelihood of reaching a JCPOA 2.0.

Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Jul 3, 2024

Don’t cut corners on US nuclear deterrence

By Matthew Kroenig, Mark J. Massa

Bipartisan support for modernizing and expanding the US nuclear arsenal will be essential for the United States to deter its adversaries.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Jul 2, 2024

Putin is using Belarus to escalate his nuclear threats

By Peter Dickinson

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is increasingly using Belarus to escalate his nuclear intimidation tactics against the West, writes Peter Dickinson.

Belarus Conflict

In the News

Jun 27, 2024

McCue quoted in the Economist regarding the damage of a potential Russian nuclear detonation in orbit

By Atlantic Council

On June 27, 2024, Forward Defense Visiting Senior Fellow Lieutenant Colonel James McCue was quoted in an article from the Economist regarding the damage a Russian nuclear detonation in orbit would cause. McCue stated that the result of such a detonation would be "satellite Armageddon."

Nuclear Deterrence Russia

In the News

Jun 25, 2024

Dean quoted in the Australian on AUKUS and nuclear energy debate

On June 25, IPSI nonresident senior fellow Peter Dean was quoted in the Australian, where he discussed how the political debate over the Coalition’s nuclear energy proposal could threaten bipartisan support for AUKUS and obtaining nuclear-powered submarines.

Australia Indo-Pacific

Inflection Points Today

Jun 20, 2024

The troubling significance of Putin’s Pyongyang deal

By Frederick Kempe

The Russian president was feted in North Korea this week, showing how a confederation of autocracies is emerging to support the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine and each other.

Conflict Korea

In the News

Jun 6, 2024

Chilton in DefenseNews on nuclear triad investment

By Atlantic Council

On June 5, Forward Defense distinguished fellow General Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.) published an article in DefenseNews on the need to continue forward with the nuclear triad modernization program, entitled "US security demands continued nuclear triad investment."

China Defense Policy

Experts