Publications: Commentary

THE GLOBAL CONSEQUENCES OF ABSENT U.S. LEADERSHIP

Three events happened in the last week to underscore that the United States is losing its global leadership edge in the 21st Century – particularly in carbon reduction, nuclear innovation, and international governance. First, the Trump administration shockingly stated that it assumes the global temperature will rise by 4 degree Celsius by 2100 – a full…
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CIVIL NUCLEAR COMPETITION, CLIMATE, AND GLOBAL SECURITY

We’re not winning the war on carbon and the failure to act effectively on this challenge has real domestic and global security consequences. Global greenhouse gas emissions have risen to the highest level in 800,000 years with no dip in sight.  It has been a steady climb for over 60 years. While developed nations have…
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BALANCING NUCLEAR GEOPOLITICS AND NONPROLIFERATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Last week, two articles highlighted the complex geopolitical and global security challenges posed by Saudi Arabia’s decision to build nuclear power plants.  One argued that a Saudi rejection of the Westinghouse bid to construct their first two plants would be a clear win for U.S. nonproliferation policy. The other underscored that decreasing U.S. engagement in…
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CAN NUCLEAR TAKE THE HEAT?

Last week the searing hot weather in Europe cast a worrisome light on the connection between climate change and nuclear power. Rather than offering a response to the carbon build-up in the atmosphere from fossil fuels, several nuclear reactors were adversely affected by the soaring temperatures. Nuclear plants in Sweden and Finland were forced to…
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