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WMD and Nuclear Proliferation

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including the dangers of nuclear and biological weapons proliferation, pose perhaps the gravest national security threat to the United States. CNAS continues to examine the threat of WMD posed by state actors – including Iran and North Korea – as well as non-state actors. CNAS also examines U.S. nonproliferation and arms control efforts, as well as other preventative and response plans for potential WMD attacks.

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  • If All Else Fails: The Challenges of Containing a Nuclear-Armed Iran
    If All Else Fails: The Challenges of Containing a Nuclear-Armed Iran
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 05/13/2013

    Dr. Colin H. Kahl, Raj Pattani and Jacob Stokes argue in If All Else Fails: The Challenges of Containing a Nuclear-Armed Iran that the Obama administration could eventually be forced to shift to a policy of containing a nuclearized Iran despite its commitment to pursue a prevention strategy.  The authors outline a comprehensive framework to manage and mitigate the consequences should Iran acquire a nuclear weapons capability, noting that such planning and preparation is needed “not because the United States wants to take this path, but because it may eventually become the only path left.”  

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  • Atomic Kingdom: If Iran Builds the Bomb, Will Saudi Arabia Be Next?
    Atomic Kingdom: If Iran Builds the Bomb, Will Saudi Arabia Be Next?
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 02/19/2013

    It is taken for granted in Washington that Saudi Arabia will inevitably pursue nuclear weapons if Tehran succeeds in its quest for the bomb. However, CNAS Senior Fellow Colin Kahl, Visiting Fellow Melissa G. Dalton and Research Associate Matthew Irvine argue in their new report Atomic Kingdom: If Iran Builds the Bomb, Will Saudi Arabia Be Next? that the prospects for Saudi reactive proliferation are lower than the conventional wisdom suggests.

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  • Renewing the Project BioShield Act: What Has It Bought and Wrought?
    Renewing the Project BioShield Act: What Has It Bought and Wrought?
    Type of Publication: Policy Brief
    Date: 01/25/2013

    In Renewing the Project BioShield Act: What Has It Bought and Wrought?, Dr. Robert Kadlec, a consultant with RPK Consulting, writes that Project BioShield has achieved its strategic objectives and merits continued support and funding. He argues that the president and Congress should affirm its value as a critical insurance policy against potential chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks.

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  • Risk and Rivalry: Iran, Israel and the Bomb
    Risk and Rivalry: Iran, Israel and the Bomb
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 06/06/2012

    As Iran's nuclear progress continues and negotiations fail to reach a breakthrough, the threat of an Israeli preventive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities grows. In Risk and Rivalry: Israel, Iran and the Bomb, authors Dr. Colin H. Kahl, Melissa G. Dalton and Matthew Irvine argue that despite the abhorrent threats by some Iranian leaders to "wipe Israel off the map," the actual behavior of the Islamic Republic over the past three decades indicates that the regime is not suicidal and is sufficiently rational for nuclear deterrence.

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  • Vital Venture: Economic Engagement of North Korea and the Kaesong Industrial Com
    Vital Venture: Economic Engagement of North Korea and the Kaesong Industrial Complex
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 03/01/2012

    The diplomatic breakthrough with North Korea this week re-establishes a baseline for future negotiations, but it has done nothing to fundamentally alter underlying security and economic problems on the peninsula, argues Dr. Patrick Cronin, Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). In Vital Venture: Economic Engagement of North Korea and the Kaesong Industrial Complex, released today by CNAS, Dr. Cronin contends that the diplomatic accord leaves in place an unsettling set of economic realities and trends on the peninsula and that "the United States must undertake a systematic strategic review of North Korea policy."

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  • Hard Choices: Responsible Defense in an Age of Austerity
    Hard Choices: Responsible Defense in an Age of Austerity
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 10/03/2011

    Hard Choices: Responsible Defense in an Age of Austerity, a report authored by CNAS experts LTG David W. Barno, USA (Ret.), Dr. Nora Bensahel and Travis Sharp, outlines four budget cut scenarios and evaluates possible trade-offs among force structure, end strength, procurement and overhead.

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  • Counterstrike
    Counterstrike: The Untold Story Of America's Secret Campaign Against Al Qaeda
    Author(s):
    Type of Publication: Book
    Date: 08/03/2011

    In Counterstrike, a Henry Holt and Company book, former CNAS Writers in Residence, Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker of The New York Times, tell the story of how a group of analysts within the military, at spy agencies, and in law enforcement has fashioned an innovative and effective new strategy to fight terrorism, unbeknownst to most Americans and in sharp contrast to the cowboy slogans that characterized the U.S. government's public posture.

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  • Aum Shinrikyo: Insights Into How Terrorists Develop Biological and Chemical Weap
    Aum Shinrikyo: Insights Into How Terrorists Develop Biological and Chemical Weapons
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 07/20/2011

    In 1995, the Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo unleashed terror on the Tokyo subway system with a highly publicized sarin gas attack. However, less is known about the group’s development of biological and chemical weapons and about their prior attacks using these weapons. The CNAS report, Aum Shinrikyo: Insights Into How Terrorists Develop Biological and Chemical Weapons, provides never-before documented information on the terrorist group and its operations.

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  • Beyond Afghanistan: A Regional Security Strategy for South and Central Asia
    Beyond Afghanistan: A Regional Security Strategy for South and Central Asia
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 05/25/2011

    The United States is at a strategic inflection point in South and Central Asia. The death of Osama bin Laden, together with the projected transition to a smaller U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, presents a new opportunity for the United States to protect its enduring interests in the region. In Beyond Afghanistan: A Regional Security Strategy for South and Central Asia, authors Lieutenant General David W. Barno, USA (Ret.), Andrew Exum and Matthew Irvine identify key priorities for the United States and the key components of a regional strategy in light of fast-changing current events.

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  • Upheaval: U.S. Policy Toward Iran in a Changing Middle East
    Upheaval: U.S. Policy Toward Iran in a Changing Middle East
    Author(s): Dr. Marc Lynch
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 05/19/2011

    The wave of uprisings that have rocked the Arab world will have dramatic consequences for America's strategy toward Iran. The foundations of the Obama administration’s Iran strategy are crumbling. This report lays out a U.S. strategy toward Iran that is a policy reset from the regional status quo.

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  • colin kahl, center for a new american security, cnas, iran, wmd, israel
    The Iranian Nuclear Dilemma: Risk of an Iraq Sequel?
    February 21, 2012 - 10:45am - 12:00pm
    Rayburn House Office Building
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On February 21, CNAS Senior Fellow Colin Kahl participated in a panel discussion hosted by the National Iranian American Council on the status of the Iranian nuclear program. Dr. Kahl indicated that there are a number of differences between the current situation in Iran and the lead-up to the war in Iraq, and addressed the possibility of an Israeli airstrike on Iranian facilities.

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  • The Partnership
    The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb
    January 4, 2012 - 5:30pm - 8:30pm
    The W Hotel
    Washington, District of Columbia

    The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) cordially invites you to the book launch for The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb by award-winning New York Times journalist Philip Taubman. RSVP here or call (202) 457-9427.

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  • Counterstrike
    Counterstrike: The Untold Story Of America's Secret Campaign Against Al Qaeda
    September 8, 2011 - 5:30pm - 8:00pm
    The Willard InterContinental Hotel's Grand Ball Room
    Washington, District of Columbia

    The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) cordially invites you to the inaugural book release party for COUNTERSTRIKE: The Untold Story of America’s Secret Campaign Against al Qaeda by acclaimed New York Times national security reporters and former CNAS Writers in Residence Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker.

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  • Secretary Panetta
    Challenges for the New U.S. Secretary of Defense
    August 4, 2011 - 7:45am - 9:15am
    The Willard InterContinental Hotel
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On August 4, CNAS President John A. Nagl, Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow LTG David Barno, USA (Ret.), and Deputy Director of Studies and Senior Fellow Dr. Nora Bensahel led a roundtable discussion over breakfast addressing the challenges faced by the new U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. 

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  • Aum Shinrikyo: Insights Into How Terrorists Develop Biological and Chemical Weapons
    July 28, 2011 - 10:30am - 12:00pm
    The Willard InterContinental Hotel's Grand Ball Room
    Washington, District of Columbia

    In 1995, the Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo unleashed terror on the Tokyo subway system with a highly-publicized sarin gas attack. However, less is known about the group’s development of biological and chemical weapons and about their prior attacks using these weapons. 

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  • CNAS Fifth Annual Conference - June 2, 2011
    CNAS Fifth Annual Conference, "Risk and Reward: American Security in an Age of Uncertainty"
    June 2, 2011 - 9:00am - 7:30pm
    The Willard InterContinental Hotel
    Washington, District of Columbia

    The Center for a New American Security's (CNAS) fifth annual conference took place in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 2, 2011. Download the conference program, watch the videos and read the transcripts online.

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  • The Rise of China: A Discussion with Robert Kaplan
    February 17, 2011 - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
    Center for a New American Security
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On February 17, 2011, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) hosted a discussion with Senior Fellow Robert Kaplan that addressed security issues surrounding the economic and military rise of China.

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  • The ROK-U.S. Alliance: Planning for the Future
    The ROK-U.S. Alliance: Planning for the Future
    December 15, 2010 - 9:00am - 8:00pm
    Shilla Hotel
    Seoul, Republic of Korea,

    The Center for a New American Security and the East Asia Institute in Seoul, Republic of Korea, co-hosted a conference in Seoul on the future of the ROK-U.S. alliance with a keynote address from President of the Naval War College Rear Admiral Phil Wisecup, USN, and General Walter L. Sharp, Commander, UNC/CFC/USF.

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  • CNAS 2013 Annual Conference -- Assessing Danger of Nuclearized Iran
    Transcript: CNAS 2013 Annual Conference - Assessing the Dangers of a Nuclear-Armed Iran
    Date: 06/12/2013
    Media: Transcript

    In a brief presentation at the 2013 CNAS Annual Conference on June 12, CNAS Senior Fellow Dr. Colin Kahl outlined a comprehensive framework to manage and mitigate the consequences should Iran acquire a nuclear weapons capability.  


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  • Iran, Colin Kahl, Matthew Kroenig, Foreign Affairs, CNAS
    Foreign Affairs Live: Time to Attack Iran? A Debate
    Date: 03/02/2012
    Media: Video

    CNAS Senior Fellow Colin Kahl participates in a debate with Matthew Kroenig for Foreign Affairs, discussing how the United States should respond to the threats posed by Iran.

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  • Will Iran Make Preemptive Strike?
    Date: 02/21/2012
    Media: Video

    CNAS Senior Fellow Colin Kahl discusses the possible impact of an Israeli strike on Iran.

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  • Striking Iran’s Nuclear Program
    Date: 01/24/2012
    Media: Audio

    On NPR's "On Point"  with Tom Ashbrook, CNAS Senior Fellow Colin Kahl discusses the threat of war with a nuclear-armed Iran.

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  • the partnership, nuclear weapons, philip taubman, cnas, atomic bomb
    Audio - The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb
    Date: 01/06/2012
    Media: Audio

    On Wednesday, January 4, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) held a book launch for The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb by award-winning journalist Philip Taubman. Taubman shed light on one of the most divisive security issues facing Washington today and told the story of the unlikely efforts of five key Cold War players to eliminate the nuclear arsenal they helped create. David Sanger, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and Chief Washington Correspondent for The New York Times, interviewed Taubman followed by Q&A with the audience. Download the podcast from the event here.

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  • center for a new american security, cnas, the partnership, philip taubman
    Video - The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb (Part I)
    Date: 01/06/2012
    Media: Video

    On Wednesday, January 4, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) held a book launch for The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb by award-winning journalist Philip Taubman. Taubman shed light on one of the most divisive security issues facing Washington today and told the story of the unlikely efforts of five key Cold War players to eliminate the nuclear arsenal they helped create. David Sanger, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and Chief Washington Correspondent for The New York Times, interviewed Taubman followed by Q&A with the audience. Watch Part I of the conversation here.

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  • center for a new american security, cnas, the partnership, philip taubman
    The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb (Part II)
    Date: 01/06/2012
    Media: Video

    On Wednesday, January 4, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) held a book launch for The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb by award-winning journalist Philip Taubman. Taubman shed light on one of the most divisive security issues facing Washington today and told the story of the unlikely efforts of five key Cold War players to eliminate the nuclear arsenal they helped create. David Sanger, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and Chief Washington Correspondent for The New York Times, interviewed Taubman followed by Q&A with the audience. Watch Part II of the conversation here.

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  • center for a new american security, cnas, the partnership, philip taubman
    The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb (Part III)
    Date: 01/06/2012
    Media: Video

    On Wednesday, January 4, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) held a book launch for The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb by award-winning journalist Philip Taubman. Taubman shed light on one of the most divisive security issues facing Washington today and told the story of the unlikely efforts of five key Cold War players to eliminate the nuclear arsenal they helped create. David Sanger, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and Chief Washington Correspondent for The New York Times, interviewed Taubman followed by Q&A with the audience. Watch Part III of the conversation here.

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  • philip taubman, david sanger, cnas, nuclear, proliferation, kissinger, WMD
    Photo - The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb
    Date: 01/05/2012
    Media: Photo

    On Wednesday, January 4, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) held a book launch for The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb by award-winning journalist Philip Taubman. Taubman shed light on one of the most divisive security issues facing Washington today and told the story of the unlikely efforts of five key Cold War players to eliminate the nuclear arsenal they helped create. David Sanger, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and Chief Washington Correspondent for The New York Times, interviewed Taubman followed by Q&A with the audience. View a photo slideshow from the event here. 

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  • Will Rogers On New CNAS Report "Blinded"
    Date: 08/09/2011
    Media: Audio

    According to the newly released Center for a New American Security (CNAS) report, "Blinded: The Decline of U.S. Earth Monitoring Capabilities and Its Consequences for National Security," “By 2016, only seven of NASA’s current 13 earth monitoring satellites are expected to be operational, leaving a crucial information gap that will hinder national security planning.”

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  • Robert Kaplan
    Robert Kaplan
    Non-Resident Senior Fellow

    Robert D. Kaplan has been a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security since March 2008, and has been a foreign correspondent for The Atlantic for over a quarter-century. He is currently Chief Geopolitical Analyst at Stratfor. He is the author of Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power, published by Random House in October, 2010, with the paperback to be released in September.

    | Read Full Bio |
  • Marc Lynch
    Dr. Marc Lynch
    Non-Resident Senior Fellow

    Dr. Marc Lynch is a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security and Associate Professor of Political Science and the Director of the Institute for Middle East Studies at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. He received his B.A. in political science from Duke University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in government from Cornell University.

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