Spooks and Nukes: An Interview with Dr. James Acton

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In The Media

Spooks and Nukes: An Interview with Dr. James Acton

How can the use of intelligence deter the threat of nuclear confrontation?

By James M. Acton

Published on Feb 14, 2017

Source: SpyCast

James Acton discusses international efforts to stem the spread of nuclear weapons, the contribution of intelligence, the influence of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the role of of the NPT.

Listen to the full interview here.

About the Author

James M. Acton

Jessica T. Mathews Chair, Co-director, Nuclear Policy Program

Acton holds the Jessica T. Mathews Chair and is co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Recent Work

Paper
Nuclear Weapons and the Future of American Power
- James M. Acton, Ankit Panda
Commentary
The Latest Iran Deal Ignores the Lessons of the Past
- James M. Acton

Nuclear Policy

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Emissary
What We Know About the U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal
Despite the agreement’s uncertainty, it’s still a significant development in regional and nuclear policy.
Andrew Leber, Jane Darby Menton
Paper
Demystifying the Nuclear Threshold
The nuclear weapons threshold is increasingly important for proliferation strategy and policy. Policymakers should better understand the implications of the threshold phenomenon in the current international security environment and plausible strategies to deal with the growing challenge that it presents.
Ariel (Eli) Levite, Toby Dalton
Paper
Nuclear Weapons and the Future of American Power
It seems likely that, no matter what, the power of the U.S. nuclear arsenal will face erosion, not least in the credibility of its commitments to defend allies and the political durability of those alliances.
James M. Acton, Ankit Panda
Commentary
President Lee Jae Myung: A Year in Power
President Lee marked his first year in office after one of the most tumultuous periods in South Korean politics. Though Lee has enjoyed a high approval rating, a large majority in the National Assembly, and foreign policy victories, Lee and his party’s political fortunes depend on generating economic growth, learning the right lessons from the recent local elections, and managing contentious factional strife within his political base.
Chung Min Lee
Commentary
Emissary
The Latest Iran Deal Ignores the Lessons of the Past
By burying disagreements in imprecision, the new deal risks same fate as its predecessors.
James M. Acton

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Emissary

What We Know About the U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal

Despite the agreement’s uncertainty, it’s still a significant development in regional and nuclear policy.

Andrew Leber, Jane Darby Menton

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) visits the Natanz uranium enrichment facilities April 8, 2008

Paper

Demystifying the Nuclear Threshold

The nuclear weapons threshold is increasingly important for proliferation strategy and policy. Policymakers should better understand the implications of the threshold phenomenon in the current international security environment and plausible strategies to deal with the growing challenge that it presents.

Ariel (Eli) Levite, Toby Dalton

1990s USS Pennsylvania United States Navy Nuclear Powered Ohio-Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Cruising On Ocean Surface

Paper

Nuclear Weapons and the Future of American Power

It seems likely that, no matter what, the power of the U.S. nuclear arsenal will face erosion, not least in the credibility of its commitments to defend allies and the political durability of those alliances.

James M. Acton, Ankit Panda

Commentary

President Lee Jae Myung: A Year in Power

President Lee marked his first year in office after one of the most tumultuous periods in South Korean politics. Though Lee has enjoyed a high approval rating, a large majority in the National Assembly, and foreign policy victories, Lee and his party’s political fortunes depend on generating economic growth, learning the right lessons from the recent local elections, and managing contentious factional strife within his political base.

Chung Min Lee

Three people standing outside a fancy building

Commentary

Emissary

The Latest Iran Deal Ignores the Lessons of the Past

By burying disagreements in imprecision, the new deal risks same fate as its predecessors.

James M. Acton