NucleCast

As the global security environment grows more complex, how can the United States maintain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent without returning to nuclear testing? In this episode of NucleCast, Manolis sits down with Don Cook, former Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), to discuss the evolving challenges facing the U.S. nuclear weapons enterprise.

Drawing on de...

As competition in space intensifies, how can the United States deter aggression and defend its vital space assets? In this episode of NucleCast, Chris Stone explores the evolving role of deception in space warfare and its potential to transform space deterrence strategies.

Drawing on lessons from military history and current geopolitical realities, Stone examines why understanding an adversary's strategic culture and worldview is es...

In this episode, Lindell Lucy shares his recent experiences traveling across Ukraine, insights on life during wartime, and explores the complex topic of nuclear deterrence and Ukraine's potential nuclear future.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:00 Lindell Lucy's Trip Across Ukraine

02:53 Lessons Learned from Ukraine Trip

04:02 Life in Ukraine During War

06:54 Ukrainian Perspectives on NATO and Support

09:01 Nuclear Deterrence I...

In this episode of NucleCast, host Manolis sits down with Tyler Hacker and Luke Widenhouse of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) to examine why advanced energetics remain one of the most underappreciated elements of U.S. military modernization. Drawing on historical lessons from World War II and their recent research, the discussion explores how improvements in energetic materials can dramatically enhance the...

Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Tom Jones shares firsthand insights from a career spanning the height of the Cold War through modern NATO nuclear operations. Drawing on decades of operational experience, he discusses the realities of nuclear deterrence, the challenges of maintaining credible readiness, and the extraordinary demands placed on aircrews tasked with executing nuclear missions under the most extreme conditions...

In this episode of NucleCast, Adam sits down with Paul Amato for an in-depth discussion on the role of theater nuclear weapons in maintaining U.S. deterrence and strategic stability. Drawing on historical lessons from the Cold War and examining today's evolving security environment, they explore why low-yield nuclear capabilities remain an important component of U.S. defense strategy.

The conversation examines Russian and Chinese nu...

Are perceived gaps in nuclear capabilities driving unnecessary fears of a new arms race? In this Part 2, Jay Tilden examines one of the most enduring questions in deterrence theory: How do perceptions of vulnerability influence nuclear strategy and global stability?

Drawing on history, policy, and strategic theory, Tilden explores the concept of the “missile gap,” the political and psychological forces that shape deterre...

In this episode, General (Ret.) Robin Rand joins NucleCast to discuss the mission and impact of the Kyle Institute for National Security at the University of Arizona.

Rand provides an inside look at how the Institute is advancing national security through cutting-edge research in hypersonics, cyber, space, and directed energy, while building critical partnerships with federal agencies, the defense industry, and regional military ins...

In this episode of NucleCast, Neile Miller breaks down the often-overlooked mechanics of federal budgeting and what they mean for the nuclear enterprise. From the earliest stages of budget formulation within the laboratories to the critical role of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Miller offers a clear, insider perspective on how funding decisions shape national security priorities.

The conversation also explores the remar...

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 ter...

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 explain...

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 dis...

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 netw...

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 o...

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 evolvi...

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 maintena...

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 break...

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 cent...

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 I...