Please find below the slides of CNS’ Summer Undergraduate Nonproliferation Fellows’ presentations.
The Nature of the Problem: Recontextualizing Prospects for U.S.-China Arms Control
By Madelyn Fackler, University of Georgia.
With bilateral and geopolitical tensions jointly on the rise, U.S.–China nuclear arms control seems to be increasing in importance and decreasing in feasibility every day. For twenty years, American and Chinese experts from tracks 1.5 and 2 settings have participated in discussions regarding these issues under the framework of the US-China Strategic Dialogues. Experts have had to contend with phases of grievance-airing, definitional differences, and either state’s varying political will to participate. Negotiations today are floundering, and the policy world is hotly debating what the U.S. could do to bring a China that is significantly modernizing and expanding its nuclear arsenal to the table. Interviews with six experts who have been involved in these Dialogues, however, point to an unfortunate realization: China does not seem interested in arms control. Evaluating the changing interpersonal dynamics and information landscape of these Dialogues is necessary to understanding why this is the case.
The Implications of Chinese-Kazakh Joint Venture Uranium Mining Companies on Sinophobia in Kazakhstan
By Oliver Song, Middlebury College
One observation from my study-abroad semester in Kazakhstan was that there are strong Sinophobic sentiments in that country. Existing literature attributes these sentiments to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a lack of understanding of Chinese policies, economic dependence on China, fear of resources being looted by China, environmental degradation, disparate treatment of local and Chinese workers, and the legacy of the Sino-Soviet split. Typically, Chinese companies and joint venture corporations are the primary targets of Sinophobia. Therefore, this research explores the implications of Chinese-Kazakh joint venture uranium mining companies on Sinophobia in Kazakhstan, particularly focusing on criticisms concerning environmental degradation, local community engagement, and economic coercion.
Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan: Pros, Cons, and the Role of Public Opinion
By Maya Watson, Middlebury College
Aiming both to diversify Kazakhstan’s energy economy and act in line with sustainability-centered initiatives, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has expressed his support for the development of nuclear energy-related capabilities in the country. That being said, the decision to build a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan remains controversial. Therefore, this research will examine the advantages and disadvantages of developing domestic nuclear power capabilities in Kazakhstan, including in the environmental, economic, and geopolitical realms. It will also look ahead at an upcoming referendum to assess Kazakhs’ role in making this decision.
Pushed to the Brink: Mitigating Iranian Nuclear Actions of Concern since 2010
By Zander Gilmartin, Middlebury College
Recent inflammatory statements from the Islamic Republic of Iran about its nuclear capabilities have captured the attention of American policymakers and media outlets. However, the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran is not a novel threat. For decades, the United States and its allies have implemented various mechanisms to constrain Iranian nuclear ambitions. This project examines four distinct periods of American official and unofficial policy directed toward Iran since 2010 through quantitative data and qualitative content analysis. It highlights the most historically successful policy, and advocates for a feasible, forward-looking policy direction. This research finds that any future policy must take into account historical and contemporary factors that will influence American interactions with Iran going forward.
U.S. Nonproliferation Efforts Toward Israel and Taiwan, 1958-1988
By Berkley Pelletier, American University
Both Israel and Taiwan faced existential threats that inspired them to pursue nuclear weapons during the Cold War. In the 1960s, the U.S. failed to stop Israel’s nuclear weapons program. However, when Taiwan tried to advance its nuclear weapons ‘program throughout the 1960s and 1970s, it was stopped by the U.S. What explains the different outcomes of U.S. nonproliferation efforts toward Israel and Taiwan? This analysis explores the links between arms transfers and security guarantees within the realm of nuclear nonproliferation.
Humanitarian Perspectives on Nuclear Testing: Addressing Historical Injustices to Indigenous Communities
By Thalia Miller, Wellesley College
In 1945, the detonation of the first nuclear bomb at Los Alamos, New Mexico, changed the world forever. This event, undisputed in its scale, had already altered the lives of the indigenous Pueblo communities who faced displacement and cultural disruption. Anxiety over the long-term effects continues to haunt those living near the test site today. Sadly, this story has echoed across the globe. From Australia’s Anangu Pitjantjatjara to Russia’s Nenets, indigenous communities have disproportionately suffered from nuclear testing. Chosen for their perceived barrenness, these test sites ignored the presence of indigenous populations, resulting in ongoing consequences for already marginalized groups. International efforts, including United Nations (UN) resolutions and national initiatives, have attempted to address these issues. However, significant gaps remain, with poor communication, bureaucratic hurdles, and disconnections between impacted groups impeding compensation. This study advocates for a multifaceted solution, recognizing historical wrongs, intensifying cleanup efforts, and ensuring that indigenous groups no longer suffer the fallout of nuclear testing.
Crimson Tides: Tracking Recent Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea
By Sam Merriam, Middlebury College
Since last fall, the Ansar Allah group, better known as the Houthi of Yemen, has greatly escalated its aggression in the Red Sea. The proxy forces have targeted U.S.-allied military assets and various commercial vessels alike, posing risks to one of the world’s busiest trade routes in an already conflict-ridden region. Using daily reports from the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and Department of Defense (DoD), the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), and various news publications, this project compiles a comprehensive database and visualization of these strikes—successful or not—since October 2023. It further provides a background on the Houthi movement, the group’s weapons’ capacity and relationship with Iran, and the significance of the Red Sea in global trade. Many previous databases documenting this activity, including those prepared by Reuters and the Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) at the United States Military Academy, West Point, discontinued their updates in the winter/spring of 2024, making this new project one of the most extensive and long-term efforts yet.
Nuclear Futures: Iran’s Prospective Nuclear Outreach
By Dana Leib-Perry, Middlebury College
For decades, governments have harbored a deep-seated fear that terrorists and non-state actors might not only acquire but also use nuclear weapons or materials. This fear was encapsulated by President Barack Obama, who warned that terrorist groups are determined to “buy, build, or steal” a nuclear weapon. Such concerns are not unfounded, especially in light of concrete evidence showing that Al-Qaeda sought to procure materials and bring in scientists from Pakistan, and even conducted crude tests with conventional weapons. This scenario raises a critical question: What if a state or other entity were to provide nuclear materials to a non-state actor to advance its own interests? The implications of such a scenario would be profound, potentially reshaping global security dynamics and posing unprecedented challenges for international diplomacy and counterterrorism efforts. This presentation contends that, while conceivable, this scenario is highly improbable as the political risks involved would almost certainly outweigh any potential benefits such a drastic action might offer.
Amplifying Terror: A Comparative Study of the Use of CBRN Weapons by Non-State Actors in Africa
By Jessica Sobieski, University of Georgia
This research explores the use of chemical weapons by non-state actors in Africa, focusing on two critical cases. The first case involves the poisoning of a well in Somalia, where insurgent groups used chemical agents to contaminate a crucial water source, causing health issues and psychological harm. The second case examines the gassing of a Jehovah’s Witness convention, where a group of individuals targeted a religious gathering with chemicals, resulting in significant casualties and injuries. This study aims to understand the motivations behind these attacks, their impacts on affected communities, and the broader implications for security and public health in the region. By analyzing these incidents, the research sheds light on the evolving threats posed by non-state actors using chemical weapons in Africa.
Language & Barriers: The Impact of Gendered Language on Women’s Representation in Nuclear Non-Proliferation
By Holly Dickinson, Smith College
Utilizing a feminist approach to security studies, this presentation will be delving into how the language used within the sphere of multilateral nuclear diplomacy can affect representation of women within the field. Women have been disproportionately affected by the proliferation of nuclear weapons and by nuclear weapons’ testing. Yet, more often than not, women and their views are adequately represented within multilateral negotiations and conferences. One of the major barriers to women’s representation and entry to the negotiating table at the international level, however, is the usage of gendered language that creates further impediments within the field. This presentation will cover some of these barriers created by using non-inclusive language. Ultimately, it will be covering why a critical look at the language used at international fora and in conference resolutions is vital to ensuring that there is an inclusive space for all to participate and shape the future of global nuclear nonproliferation.
From Concept to Deployment: Exploring the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Small Modular Reactors
By Sircey Smith, Trinity Washington University
The increasing interest in developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) presents new challenges and opportunities in the nuclear energy sector for the United States. These reactors can enhance safety, scalability, and economic viability compared to traditional large-scale reactors. However, SMR designs and characteristics require robust regulatory frameworks to ensure safety, public trust, and compliance. This project explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with SMRs, aiming to strengthen the regulatory process and enhance feasibility. AI technologies, such as machine learning, predictive analytics, and language processing, could revolutionize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to help manage SMR safety and performance. This project investigates how AI can support various aspects of the regulatory process, specifically for compliance, monitoring, and personal safety.
Russian Chemical Weapons Usage in Ukraine: Verifications, Explanations, and Implications
By Josiah Durfee, Middlebury College
In May 2024, accusations of Russian chemical weapons usage gained mainstream attention when the United States officially charged Russia with deploying chemical agents on the battlefield. This presentation will analyze the validity of these claims using satellite imagery and open-source intelligence (OSINT), focusing on publicly available videos and photographs of alleged use of riot control agents (RCAs) and chloropicrin. It will also explore potential explanations for chemical weapons usage in the Ukraine war. Finally, it will relate the alleged chemical weapons usage to the broader context and implications for Russia, the West, the Ukraine war, and the international anti-chemical weapons regime.