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March 11, 2019 to March 12, 2019 • Washington, DC

Over 800 experts and officials from more than forty-five countries and international organizations came together to debate—and explore solutions for—the most pressing challenges in nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, disarmament, deterrence, energy, and security.

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Keynote Speakers

 

Stephen Biegun

U.S. Special Representative for North Korea

Discussion moderated by Helene Cooper

Download Transcript

 

Adam Smith

Chairman, U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee

Discussion moderated by Jen Psaki

 

Andrea Thompson

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security

Discussion moderated by Mark Fitzpatrick

Confirmed Program & Speakers

The Future of U.S.-Russia Arms Control

Bilateral arms control is in crisis. The existing architecture is crumbling even as technological advances are complicating efforts to develop new approaches to cooperative risk mitigation. MORE >
  • Anatoly AntonovRussian Ambassador to the United States
  • James MillerAdaptive Strategies, LLC
  • Olga OlikerInternational Crisis Group

Proliferation Prognostication: Predicting the Nuclear Future

This regular session pits expert judgment against the wisdom of crowds to forecast the global nuclear future—a notoriously difficult but necessary part of policymaking. MORE >

U.S.-Russian Strategic Relations: The Big Picture

At this post–Cold War low in bilateral relations, the traditional guardrails that help stabilize the U.S.-Russian relationship are weakening, and nuclear risks are growing. MORE >

Could a Nuclear War Remain Limited?

Almost all—if not all— nuclear-armed states have developed plans and capabilities for a range of nuclear response options MORE >
  • Elbridge ColbyCenter for New American Security
  • Jessica CoxNATO International Staff
  • Li BinCarnegie Endowment for International Peace
  • Rebecca HersmanCenter for Strategic and International Studies
  • Polina SinovetsOdessa I.I. Mechnikov National University

Is Nuclear Deterrence Against Nonnuclear Threats Necessary and Proportionate?

All nuclear-armed states, apart from China, explicitly reserve the right to use nuclear weapons in response to various nonnuclear threats, yet they are often vague about which ones. MORE >
  • Matthew HarriesHouse of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee
  • Austin LongJoint Staff J5
  • Lu YinPLA National Defense University
  • Harald MüllerPeace Research Institute Frankfurt

What are The Lessons and Implications of Implementing the JCPOA?

On May 7, 2018, President Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the Iran Nuclear Deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). MORE >

Nuclear Crises in South Asia: Underrated or Overstated?

Nuclear deterrence arguably has prevented the outbreak of major conflict in South Asia. MORE >

Command-and-Control Vulnerability: Are There Solutions to a Growing Problem?

For all the attention paid to the growing threats to nuclear forces, it may be their command-and-control systems that are more vulnerable. MORE >

Can a Rules-Based Nuclear Order be Enforced?

The past twenty years have seen repeated violations of nonproliferation, arms control, and disarmament agreements. MORE >
  • James ActonCarnegie Endowment for International Peace
  • Susanne BaumannGerman Federal Government Commissioner for Disarmament and Arms Control
  • Christopher FordU.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation
  • Elayne Whyte GómezPermanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva

The End of Proliferation?

In spite of the considerable strains on the nuclear order, there may be reason for optimism about nonproliferation: MORE >

What Effects Will the Ban Treaty Have?

The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is now open for signature, but what real-world effects will it have on nuclear disarmament and international security more generally between now and 2030? MORE >
  • Rebecca JohnsonAcronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy
  • Steven MillerBelfer Center for Science and International Affairs
  • George PerkovichCarnegie Endowment for International Peace
  • Nicolas RocheDirector for strategic affairs, security, and disarmament, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • María Antonieta JáquezPolitical Coordinator at the Mission of Mexico to the United Nations

Powering the NPT: Does a Decline in Nuclear Power Affect the Grand Bargain?

The uncertain outlook for nuclear power among both developed and developing countries raises questions about the value and importance of the peaceful uses pillar of the “grand bargain” enshrined in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). MORE >
  • Joyce ConneryDefense Nuclear Facility Safety Board
  • Rafael Mariano GrossiAmbassador of Argentina and Permanent Representative to International Organisations in Vienna
  • Rumina VelshiPresident and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
  • Djarot WisnubrotoNational Nuclear Energy Agency - BATAN

Nuclear Endgames on the Korean Peninsula

The remarkable diplomacy around the Korean Peninsula in 2018 has created the possibility for transformation of the security order in East Asia. MORE >
  • Toby DaltonCarnegie Endowment for International Peace
  • Chung Min LeeCarnegie Endowment for International Peace
  • Jung PakBrookings Institution
  • Kathleen StephensKorea Economic Institute of America
  • Zhang YanChina Arms Control and Disarmament Association

Side Sessions

20 Years after Kargil: The Future of Strategic (In)Stability in Southern Asia

In 1999, India and Pakistan faced an inter-state crisis in the disputed Kargil region and potentially readied nuclear arsenals, but managed to deescalate without nuclear use. MORE >

More Eyes on More Data: Public Technical Means for Monitoring Nuclear Nonproliferation Agreements

The increasing availability of geospatial and other open-source information is expanding the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) MORE >

When More Really is Better: Three (Role) Models in Search of Diversity

What are effective strategies to address the current lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in the nuclear policy field? MORE >
  • Bonnie JenkinsWomen of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation
  • Mareena Robinson SnowdenCarnegie Endowment for International Peace
  • Renee SondermanDirector of the Office of WMD Terrorism at the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation
  • Lovely UmayamStimson’s Managing Across Boundaries initiative

Nobody Saves the World Alone: The Importance of Talking about Nukes to the Public

Public engagement on nuclear weapons issues is both possible and essential, especially today. MORE >

Follow the Money: Using Financial Tools to Fight Proliferation Networks

The direst nuclear proliferation threat facing the international community is the growing size and sophistication of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. MORE >
  • Jessica BartlettBarclays Hong Kong
  • Emil DallRoyal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies
  • Elizabeth RosenbergCenter for a New American Security
  • Justine WalkerDirector of Sanctions Policy, UK Finance

Women of Mass Destruction: Telling Our Story

Female nuclear experts face unique challenges when engaging with the public. What are the best methods for dealing with those challenges? MORE >

Young Professionals

We are excited to announce the return of our Young Professionals Track. At no additional cost, participants with less than five years of professional experience, including graduate students, were invited to attend:

  • A half-day workshop on March 10, featuring a lecture on open-source intelligence, a careers panel, policy roundtables, and a networking reception
  • A mentoring lunch at the conference
  • A writing workshop on March 13

To receive updates about events for young professionals, click here