International Outreach

Nuclear powers are currently facing a set of difficult questions concerning the strategic roles and capabilities of nuclear weapons, adjusting to changes in the arms control regime, and preventing proliferation during a time of surging demand for nuclear energy. These challenges have underscored the need to develop comprehensive and coherent nuclear policies, both within and among countries, and to maintain strong, youthful bases of scientific and political expertise.

In response to the global nature of these problems, the CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues is become an increasingly international project and undertaking efforts to engage young nuclear experts from around the world. To that end, PONI has expanded international participation to include France and the United Kingdom, who are both participating in the full range of PONI activities. In addition PONI is undertaking bilateral exchanges involving young PONI members from the U.S. and their counterparts in India and Russia. Increasing international involvement in PONI enriches the debate on nuclear issues and also serves the purpose of developing personal connections and working rapports among future leaders in the field.

 UK Project on Nuclear Issues 

 Click on the link below to learn more.

French Forum de Réflexion sur le Nucléaire (FRN)
In France, PONI is partnered with the Center for International Security and Arms Control Studies (French acronym, CESIM) to launch a French Project on Nuclear Issues and coordinate French participation in PONI. After initial planning meetings with PONI dating back to March of 2009, the Center for International Security and Arms Control Studies (CESIM) has launched the Forum de réflexion sur le nucléaire (FRN) with the intention to connect and expand the community of young nuclear professionals in France.

CESIM's Nonproliferation Monthly, now available in English, includes featured editorials, short analytic articles on current issues, and a schedule of upcoming conferences and other key events. Email observatoire@cesim.fr to receive Nonproliferation Monthly and connect with the nuclear community in France.”

Bilateral Exchanges

U.S.-India Dialogue
In April 2010 PONI hosted a delegation of five graduate students from the esteemed Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Joining these students for a day of talks were several young PONI members and PONI. PONI Director Clark Murdock chaired the discussions, which featured rich discussion on a wide range of policy and strategy issues in South Asia and elsewhere. On day two, the group put together a short presentation summarizing key issues discussed and outcomes of the discussion that was presented at PONI’s spring conference. This highly successful dialogue was the second such exchange between U.S. PONI members and counterparts from India.

U.S.-Russia Exchange
In August 2010 a small delegation of young professionals in the U.S. met with colleagues from Russia to discuss next steps in bilateral arms control, proliferation, missile defense and nuclear energy matters. The Center for Energy and Security Studies (CENESS) served as the partnering organization in Russia. The meeting was co-chaired by Matthew Rojansky of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Anton Khlopkov of CENESS. The talks proved to be extremely fruitful and offered promise for future endeavors along these lines. Read Meeting summary>>

U.S.-China Exchange
In June 2011 a group of graduate students and young professionals met to discuss aspects of the nuclear relationship between the United States and China, including Conventional Prompt Global Strike, missile defense, No First Use, and the potential for trilateral arms control with the U.S., Russia, and China. The CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) and Pacific Forum CSIS Young Leaders program cosponsored the event, which featured four 90-minute sessions, each opened by presentations of two discussion papers by a U.S. and Chinese participant. The sessions were helpful in clarifying important points of disagreement and identifying areas for potential improvement in the bilateral nuclear relationship. Read the meeting summary and key takeaways in English or Chinese.

(en français)
PONI implique formellement les États-Unis, le Royaume-Uni et la France et entreprend des efforts pour engager les jeunes experts nucléaires dans d'autres pays du monde entier.
Les pouvoirs nucléaires se trouvent actuellement face aux questions difficiles concernant les rôles stratégiques et les capacités des armes nucléaires, le besoin de s’adapter aux changements dans la maîtrise des armements, et la prévention de la prolifération pendant un moment d’exigence montant pour l’énergie nucléaire. Ces obstacles souligne le besoin de développer les politiques compréhensives et cohérentes, à la fois dedans et entre les pays, et pour soutenir les jeunes et forts fonds des compétences scientifiques et politiques.

En réponse, le Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) de CSIS entreprend les efforts d’engager les jeunes spécialistes nucléaires du monde entier pour échanger les idées au sujet des obstacles posés par les armes nucléaires et l’expansion des technologies nucléaires. À cette fin, PONI a été élargi pour inclure la France, avec le Royaume-Unis, pour développer la participation internationale dans la gamme complète des activités de PONI. En France, PONI collabore avec le Centre d'Etudes de Sécurité Internationale et la Maîtrise des Armements (CESIM) dans le but de créer un <<PONI français>> et de coordonner la participation française avec PONI. Il développe aussi les groupes représentatifs des membres de PONI et établit des échanges bilatéraux entre les jeunes spécialistes nucléaires des autres pays, particulièrement la Russie, l’Inde, et la Chine. L’augmentation de la participation internationale de PONI enrichit la discussion des sujets nucléaires et facilite le développement des rapports personnels et professionnels entre les chefs futurs du domaine nucléaire.