Author Archive

Michael Krepon

Michael Krepon is writing a book on the Rise and Demise of Nuclear Arms Control. He is the co-founder of the Stimson Center.
Ideas

Assessing George H.W. Bush’s National-Security Legacy

The first president Bush made the world safer as the Soviet Union crumbled.

Ideas

Nukes, the New Congress, and the Lost Art of Political Compromise

In the past, arms controllers and deterrence boosters compromised on deals that ultimately reduced nuclear dangers. No more.

Ideas

Nothing About Trashing the INF Treaty Makes the US Safer

From the strategic and diplomatic realms to the budgetary and tactical levels, Trump’s decision makes no sense.

Ideas

Is Nothing Better than Something? Trashing These Treaties Makes No Sense

The Open Skies, Intermediate Nuclear Forces, and New START agreements are important strands of the nuclear safety net.

Ideas

The Chance of Accidental Nuclear War Is Growing

Recapitalizing the U.S. nuclear deterrent won't help. What's missing is a strategy and resources to reduce risks of cataclysmic accidents, miscalculation, and human error.

Ideas

The Most Dangerous Word in the Draft Nuclear Posture Review

By insisting that future arms control agreements be “enforceable,” the Trump administration could substitute military strikes for diplomacy.

Science & Tech

The Folly of Tactical Nuclear Weapons

Some soothsayers say they boost deterrence. But the point of deterrence is to have no mushroom clouds, not new, tailor-made ones.

Ideas

One Nuclear Step to Settle an Unsettled Age

The single most symbolic and practical move that states possessing nuclear weapons could make would be to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Ideas

Trump's NATO-Rattling Interview Has Delayed a Key Evolution in US Nuclear Posture

The Obama administration had been working to reassure nervous allies ahead of renouncing any first use of nuclear weapons. Now that's on hold.

Ideas

Let Russia's Planes Keep Flying Over US, Just Like Ike Wanted

The Pentagon dithered while Moscow upgraded. It’s time to catch up — not scrap the Open Skies Treaty.

Ideas

‘A Better Iran Deal’ Is Just Wishful Thinking

The probability of sanctions eroding if Congress torpedoes the international agreement is greater than the prospect of tougher sanctions.

Science & Tech

Can the U.S. and China Get Along in Outer Space?

China is improving and testing its anti-satellite capabilities. The Pentagon is, too. By Michael Krepon