In this episode, Adam and Curtis discuss the recent STRATCOM deterrence symposium and a panel featuring Congressman John Garamendi, who advocated for fewer nukes and elimination of the ICBM. In addition to offering responses to the congressman's arguments, they also review the different perspectives of realists and idealists when it comes to nuclear deterrence.

Jim, Chris Stone, and Dr. Wallace Clark discuss several concerns, issues, and challenges facing the Nuclear Command Control and Communication System (NC3). The discussion reviews what can be done to enable a more survivable and effective integrated space and ground NC3 architecture for national defense.

Adam, Curtis, and Jim discuss Hal Brands' article "An 'America First' World" published on ForeignAffairs.com. Dr. Brands assesses what a Second "America First" presidency might mean for foreign and defense policy. The guys debate interventionism versus non-interventionism, evaluating which approach is better and how deterrence might impact the policy.

Adam, Chris Stone, and Kerry Kartchner discuss Russian space activities and their potential violations of the Outer Space Treaty as well as impact on global security.

Jim Stokes joins Adam and Alex as they discuss the role of NATO in the current geopolitical landscape.

Adam, Alex, and special guest, Mike Carey, discuss the future of Russia and China after the war in Ukraine and the potential conflict over Taiwan.

Adam, Curtis, and Jim discuss the merits of article 'What We Don't Know About Nuclear Deterrence Could Hurt Us' by Paul Poast. The hosts explore the validity of the points made in the article and the challenges of measuring the effectiveness of deterrence.

Adam and Curtis join noted China expert, Dr Alex Littlefield to explore the trendy idea of a new cold war between the US and China and highlight the political, economic, technological, and military traits of China that make it a more formidable adversary than the Soviet Union.

Jim, Curtis, and Adam discuss Macron's vision of a Euro-defense force underwritten by French nuclear weapons.

Jim, Adam, and Chris, discuss delays in the nuclear modernization programs and what the implications of those delays might be.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization celebrates it's 75th anniversary. Adam and Curtis discuss the past, present, and future of the organization.

Adam, Curtis, Peter, and special guest, Lindell Lucy, discuss Annie Jacobsen's best-selling book, "Nuclear War: A Scenario"

Adam, Curtis, and Jim discuss the article 'The New Nuclear Alliance Against the West' by Steve Blank, which explores the cooperative relationship between Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. They look at motivations behind this alliance and implications for global security.

Adam, Alex, and Kirk explore the credibility of the United States as an ally and provider of extended deterrence to NATO and Asian countries.

Adam, Curtis, and Chris discuss article in War on the Rocks: America Needs a Dead Hand More Than Ever and address the changing threat landscape. (America Needs a Dead Hand More than Ever - War on the Rocks)

Jim, Curtis, and Adam argue that added context is needed before deciding that the Sentinel ICBM is too expensive. Read full article here: https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/the-sentinel-icbm-remains-affordable-because-context-matters/

Putin has warned that he is ready to use nuclear weapons. Jim, Curtis, and Adam discuss whether Americans should be concerned.

Curtis, Adam, Kirk, and Chris discuss a recent article from Global Security Review by Amit Gupta called "Is Trump Right about Europe?" while exploring the value and controversies of NATO's 2% of GDP expense requirement.

Jim is joined by former Congressman Chris Stewart and Dr. Alex Littlefield to discuss the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ January 2024 publication titled Chinese Nuclear Weapons 2024. The conversation explores China’s evolving nuclear posture, its strategic ambitions, and the implications for U.S. deterrence policy.

Key topics include:

• The accuracy and limitations of open-source estimates of China’s nuclear arsenal.
• China's doctrine of “no first use” and whether it aligns with its rapid expansion of nuclear capabilities.
• The strategic shift in China’s willingness to challenge and potentially dominate the United States.
• The role of delivery systems, dual-use reactors, and uranium imports from Russia in accelerating China’s nuclear development.
• Reflections on U.S. military atrophy, outdated equipment, and the need for renewed leadership and policy direction.

The episode also features candid insights into China’s long-term goals, including its Belt and Road Initiative, and how its actions reflect a methodical pursuit of global dominance by 2048.

Adam and Jim discuss what the strategy could be behind a Russian nuclear space weapons program.

Curtis hosts three experts in Australia, Dr. Christine Leah, Dr. Carl Rhodes, and Natalie Treloar, as they discuss AUKUS from an Australian perspective and its association with deterrence.

In this two-part episode, the NIDS team dives into key takeaways from the 2025 Nuclear Deterrence Summit in Washington, D.C., and offers a critical analysis of the U.S. State Department’s annual implementation report on the New START Treaty.

Part 1: Deterrence Summit Reflections

• Jim shares his first experience attending a non-technical deterrence conference, highlighting the value of in-person networking, panel discussions, and the contrast between DOE/NNSA and DoD perspectives on nuclear policy.
• Adam and Curtis reflect on the ideological divide between arms control advocates and deterrence realists, noting the surprising number of disarmament voices within the NNSA community.
• The team discusses the importance of integrating technical and strategic communities to strengthen U.S. deterrence policy.

Part 2: The New START Treaty Report

• Curtis leads a sobering breakdown of the 2025 implementation report, emphasizing Russia’s suspension of participation, lack of transparency, and the implications for U.S. national security.
• The hosts debate the utility of arms control in an era of strategic competition, questioning whether the U.S. is clinging to idealism while adversaries exploit verification gaps.
• The episode closes with a powerful reminder: peace is not the absence of violence, but the presence of strength.

Jim, Curtis, and Adam review an article on the role of nuclear weapons in Taiwan crisis and discuss the implications of a China-U.S. conflict over Taiwan.

In this episode, Adam is joined by Alex and special guest, Fei-Ling Wang, to discuss the current events in China and the future of the American-led international order.

James, Curtis, Adam and guest, Zak Kallenborn, discuss Zak's article which explores the topic of nuclear weapons and their role in deterring great power war.

Jim, Adam, Curtis and Chris look at an article in War on the Rocks and discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in nuclear stability and command and control systems.

Jim and Adam look at article 'The Return of Nuclear Escalation, How America's Adversaries Have Hijacked Its Old Deterrent Strategy' by Keir Lieber and Daryl Press and discuss how adversaries rely on nuclear weapons to compensate for their conventional military weaknesses.

Jim, Adam and Chris discuss article in National Institute for Public Policy by Michael Ruhl and argue that the US may withdraw its commitment to protect Europe with its nuclear umbrella

Jim, Curtis and Adam discuss the key deterrence events of 2023 and their predictions for 2024.

Guests Steve Blank and Peter Huessy join Adam and Curtis as they discuss Russia, its nuclear weapons policy, and how that fits into Russian security and foreign policy related to Ukraine and the balance of deterrence.

Jim, Adam and Curtis debate whether we should keep the SLCM-N program based on an article by David Kern in War on the Rocks. https://warontherocks.com/2023/12/cancelling-the-new-sea-launched-nuclear-cruise-missile-is-the-right-move/

Adam, Chris, Jim, and special guest and China expert, Dr. Alex Littlefield, address if the U.S. and China are in a cold war and how that affects our deterrence posture and a potential hot war.

The NIDS team discusses an article, written by the NIDS Team, covering the most alarming aspects of the The Pentagon's China Military Report.

The NIDS Team discusses an article about potential devastation from a nuclear attack and discusses things for which they are thankful.

In this episode, Adam, Curtis, and Jim discuss the need to place bombers back on alert, the challenges of maintaining a small bomber force, the technical aspects, and their value for deterrence.

The NIDS team discusses the Long Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO) which is expected to arrive by 2030 and they introduce their newest VP of Outreach, Chris Stewart.

Kirk Fansher, NIDS Sr. Fellow, reflects on his experience at the AFA National Convention and some of the most compelling themes from the conference.

Adam, Curtis, and Jim engage in a thought-provoking discussion on Dr. Brad Roberts' article "The Next Chapter in US Nuclear Policy." They dissect Dr. Roberts' adversaries' theory of victory, the complexities of nuclear disarmament, and the crucial role of a credible deterrent.

NIDS discusses the efforts at Sandia National Labs Radiation Electrical Sciences deterrence research with Director Bryan Oliver.

Adam Lowther provides his review of the 2023 STRATCOM Deterrence Symposium.

The NIDS teams discussed their recent article and describe how the bombings affected future warfare.