Can the World Avoid a Cyber-Nuclear Catastrophe?

{
  "authors": [
    "Ariel (Eli) Levite"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "NPP",
  "programs": [
    "Nuclear Policy",
    "Technology and International Affairs"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Iran"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Security",
    "Technology"
  ]
}

In The Media

Can the World Avoid a Cyber-Nuclear Catastrophe?

et, as the recent Ukraine crisis and the ongoing nuclear sagas with both North Korea and Iran have made abundantly clear, nuclear weapons have not withered away.

By Ariel (Eli) Levite

Published on Jun 5, 2022

Program

Nuclear Policy

The Nuclear Policy Program aims to reduce the risk of nuclear war. Our experts diagnose acute risks stemming from technical and geopolitical developments, generate pragmatic solutions, and use our global network to advance risk-reduction policies. Our work covers deterrence, disarmament, arms control, nonproliferation, and nuclear energy.

Learn More

Program

Technology and International Affairs

The Technology and International Affairs Program develops insights to address the governance challenges and large-scale risks of new technologies. Our experts identify actionable best practices and incentives for industry and government leaders on artificial intelligence, cyber threats, cloud security, countering influence operations, reducing the risk of biotechnologies, and ensuring global digital inclusion.

Learn More

The National Interest

About the Author

Ariel (Eli) Levite

Senior Fellow, Nuclear Policy Program, Technology and International Affairs Program

Levite was the principal deputy director general for policy at the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission from 2002 to 2007.

Recent Work

Paper
Demystifying the Nuclear Threshold
- Ariel (Eli) Levite, Toby Dalton
Article
Promoting Responsible Nuclear Energy Conduct: An Agenda for International Cooperation
- Ariel (Eli) Levite, Toby Dalton

Security Technology Iran

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

Paper
AI Breakout Capacity: A Middle-Power Path Between Racing and Dependence
Germany, India, and other middle powers can’t build frontier AI alone, and they risk being cut off if they depend on the United States or China. The way through is to build the capacity for a frontier sprint while hoping never to use it.
Anton Leicht, Sam Winter-Levy
Commentary
Emissary
The Impacts of the Houthis’ Advance Could Extend Well Beyond Saudi Arabia
The Horn of Africa countries are among those facing a new security calculus.
Andrew Leber, Lesley Anne Warner
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Will the Far Right Change Europe’s Russia Policy?
The European far right might fail to steer EU policy in the direction Russia wants, but they will create enough chaos inside Europe to benefit the Kremlin.
Dimitar Bechev
Commentary
The Denmark-Greenland-U.S. Agreement Needs to Stand the Test of Time
The new U.S.–Denmark–Greenland agreement will help Washington exert political, economic, and financial dominance under the guise of security. Yet, it acknowledged Copenhagen’s and Nuuk’s sovereignty on the island.
Marc Pierini
Research
The Disruptive Politics of AI
AI technology has proliferated extensively and offers authoritarian leaders three crucial advantages: scale, speed, and efficiency. As a result, it has undoubtedly become a crucial tool of repression. But AI tools also give individuals and activists the means to organize, resist, and hold their governments accountable. Today, it is far more difficult for autocratic leaders to hide their corrupt practices and govern in darkness.
Steve Feldstein, Shreya Joshi

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Two men sit on red chairs in front of a window with a NYC city skyline.

Paper

AI Breakout Capacity: A Middle-Power Path Between Racing and Dependence

Germany, India, and other middle powers can’t build frontier AI alone, and they risk being cut off if they depend on the United States or China. The way through is to build the capacity for a frontier sprint while hoping never to use it.

Anton Leicht, Sam Winter-Levy

Commentary

Emissary

The Impacts of the Houthis’ Advance Could Extend Well Beyond Saudi Arabia

The Horn of Africa countries are among those facing a new security calculus.

Andrew Leber, Lesley Anne Warner

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Will the Far Right Change Europe’s Russia Policy?

The European far right might fail to steer EU policy in the direction Russia wants, but they will create enough chaos inside Europe to benefit the Kremlin.

Dimitar Bechev

Greenland United States Denmark Agreement Nuuk

Commentary

The Denmark-Greenland-U.S. Agreement Needs to Stand the Test of Time

The new U.S.–Denmark–Greenland agreement will help Washington exert political, economic, and financial dominance under the guise of security. Yet, it acknowledged Copenhagen’s and Nuuk’s sovereignty on the island.

Marc Pierini

Research

The Disruptive Politics of AI

AI technology has proliferated extensively and offers authoritarian leaders three crucial advantages: scale, speed, and efficiency. As a result, it has undoubtedly become a crucial tool of repression. But AI tools also give individuals and activists the means to organize, resist, and hold their governments accountable. Today, it is far more difficult for autocratic leaders to hide their corrupt practices and govern in darkness.

Steve Feldstein, Shreya Joshi