Publications: Commentary

Getting Serious About Nuclear Geopolitics

Russia and China threw a gut punch in their confrontation with the U.S.-led international order in their summit joint statement last week. They are strategizing to “meet the growing demand of the leadership” of a “new era,” presumably one where the U.S. and its allies are downgraded to junior partners. This is a serious wake-up call. The two nations…
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Next-Gen Nuclear Stumbles Out of the Starting Gate

There is only one imperative for the next generation of nuclear energy – deliver a working, safe, and secure reactor that can support the global clean energy revolution in a ten-year window. For heralded micro-reactor rising star, Oklo, when that rubber hit the road it went flat. Last week the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission denied…
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The Nuclear-Climate-Security Nexus: Five Key Issues for 2022

This year the climate-nuclear-security nexus entered the mainstream. Now the stakes for success are more serious. There are five major issues that need to be addressed in 2022 to continue this year’s progress. The most high-profile issue is sustaining the rising acceptance of nuclear energy as a major contributor to the global quest for zero-carbon…
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Building the Support System for Next-Gen Nuclear

Last month’s COP 26 international climate change meeting provided an unexpected boost to the value of nuclear power as a clean energy source. But, if the next generation of the technology is to actually contribute to the global quest for zero-carbon energy, there is a lot more that needs to be done, and quickly. There currently exists…
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