Welcome to NucleCast, the official podcast of the ANWA Deterrence Center. NucleCast is an engaging, educational podcast featuring a series of discussions and interviews with experts in nuclear policy, technology, and deterrence. The show is hosted by Dr. Adam Lowther, Strategic Advisor to the ANWA Deterrence Center and an expert on nuclear deterrence.
In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam speaks with Lieutenant Colonel Gary Glover about the evolving landscape of the Air Force, particularly in relation to nuclear force design and modernization efforts. They discuss the importance of advanced education for military officers, the implications of hypersonic weapons on nuclear command and control, and the broader national security challenges facing the United States. Lieutenant Colonel Garrett Glover is the Chief of AFGSC Futures Division, Air Force Global Strike Command, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at USAFA, and a Senior Fellow with the Institute for National Security Studies. Colonel Glover was commissioned from the United States Air Force Academy in 2009. He has held key positions within the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile community, including Instructor, Evaluator, Flight Commander, and Assistant Director of Operations. As Executive Officer for the Office of Defense Programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration, he played a pivotal role in the successful execution of a $5 billion Stockpile Stewardship Program, supporting $25 billion in nuclear sustainment initiatives. He served as a Presidential Nuclear Strike Advisor and Assistant Deputy Director of Operations at the National Military Command Center, translating presidential intent into nuclear strike options and leading a joint inter-agency team focused on both nuclear and conventional global military operations. In this role he oversaw the execution of the National Military Command System on behalf of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Additionally, he served as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for Nuclear and Homeland Defense Operations (J-36) on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. He spent a year as a DoD Nuclear Technical Lab Fellow at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CA. Prior to his current position, he served as the Chief Nuclear Strategist of Headquarters, Air Force Global Strike Command. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Global Strike Command and Force Design 07:29 The Importance of Advanced Education for Officers 15:23 Hypersonics and Nuclear Command Control 25:50 Wishes for National Security and Education Socials: Follow on Twitter at @NucleCast Follow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcast Subscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/ Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278 Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org
In this episode of NUCLECAST, host Adam Lowther engages with Dr. Robert Kittinger to discuss various aspects of nuclear policy, including the importance of tritium production, the role of small modular reactors in military applications, and the interconnectedness of nuclear energy and weapons. They explore the implications of denuclearization and the need for a dedicated supply chain for nuclear components, while also addressing the historical context of nuclear deterrence and its significance in maintaining global peace. Dr. Kittinger, is a Senior Fellow at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies (NIDS). He spent 10 years at Sandia National Laboratories, culminating in the Nuclear Threat Science department and working in Nuclear Emergency Support and Counterterrorism & Counter-Proliferation (CTCP). During his time at Sandia, he was also a 2017 graduate of the prestigious Weapon Intern Program (WIP). Before joining Sandia, Dr. Kittinger spent over five years as a civilian in the U.S. Navy and was part of a five-person tech startup, BookLamp, which was acquired by Apple in 2013. Following his tenure at Sandia, he served as a senior researcher at Amazon and currently holds the role of Chief Research Officer at a MedTech company. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to NUCLECAST and Guest Introduction 01:14 Presidential Address and Nuclear Policy Discussion 03:40 Tritium Production and Its Importance 12:10 Challenges in Nuclear Supply Chain and Future Needs 13:01 Small Modular Reactors and Their Military Applications 18:04 Nuclear Energy and Weapons Interconnection 20:31 Denuclearization and Global Peace Perspectives 28:50 Wishes for the Future of Nuclear Energy and Deterrence Socials: Follow on Twitter at @NucleCast Follow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcast Subscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/ Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278 Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org
In this episode of NucleCast Future Series with Warrior Maven, Kris Osborn interviews James Howe on the critical issues surrounding nuclear deterrence, focusing on low yield nuclear weapons, the strategic arsenals of Russia and China, and the implications of advanced technologies in modern warfare. The conversation delves into the current state of nuclear capabilities, the risks posed by tactical nuclear weapons, and the future of strategic deterrence in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. Mr. James R. Howe is currently VP, Threats, Technology, and Future Requirements for Vision Centric, Inc., a SETA to US Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). He is President of Strategic Concepts and Analysis and is also a consultant to National Security Research Institute (NSRI) (UARC to STRATCOM). Mr. Howe has over 50 years’ experience researching US/adversary strategic nuclear forces, strategic defenses, and space war issues. He was principal investigator on a study for OSD/NA to conduct open-source research into the future military utility and feasibility of space offensive warfare, and its impact on future warfare as a continuance of the revolution in military affairs. He was co-developer of the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon (AHW) concept, helped keep AHW concept sold (Now being developed and produced as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon). Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nuclear Deterrence 03:01 Understanding Low Yield Nuclear Weapons 06:05 The Russian Nuclear Arsenal and Strategy 09:04 Comparative Analysis of US and Russian Tactical Weapons 11:55 The Role of Advanced Technologies in Nuclear Strategy 15:06 The Future of ICBMs and Strategic Deterrence 17:58 China's Growing Nuclear Capabilities 21:01 The Implications of Dual-Use Weapons 24:12 Conclusion and Future Considerations Socials: Follow on Twitter at @NucleCast Follow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcast Subscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/ Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278 Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org
In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Dave Trachtenberg about his report on missile defense. They discuss the need to move away from Cold War-era thinking regarding mutual vulnerability and the importance of defending the homeland against missile threats from adversaries like China and Russia. The conversation also covers the role of space in missile defense, necessary legislative changes, and future wishes for missile defense capabilities, including directed energy systems. The Honorable David J. Trachtenberg is Vice President of the National Institute for Public Policy, a nonprofit research center in Fairfax, Virginia. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 17, 2017 as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and served in this capacity until his retirement from government service in July 2019. Until January 2018, he also served as the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the principal civilian adviser to the Secretary of Defense on policy matters. He was also the senior Department of Defense civilian official responsible for DoD policy on civilian casualties resulting from military operations. Prior to his confirmation, Mr. Trachtenberg was President and CEO of Shortwaver Consulting, LLC. Earlier, he was a Vice President at CACI and Senior Vice President for Homeland Security at National Security Research, Inc. Prior to joining NSR, Mr. Trachtenberg was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Forces Policy. From 1995-200, Mr. Trachtenberg was a Professional Staff Member with the House Committee on Armed Services (HASC) in Washington, D.C, serving as head of the committee's policy staff and staff lead for the HASC Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism. Mr.Trachtenberg is a two-time recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. He holds an A.B. in International Relations from the University of Southern California and a M.S. degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He currently teaches graduate seminars in nuclear deterrence and strategy and the role of Congress in national security policy at the Fairfax, Virginia campus of Missouri State University’s Defense and Strategic Studies Program. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Missile Defense Priorities 03:10 Reassessing Cold War Paradigms 06:00 The Role of Space in Missile Defense 08:51 Legislative Changes for Enhanced Defense 11:58 Wishes for the Future of Missile Defense Socials: Follow on Twitter at @NucleCast Follow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcast Subscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/ Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278 Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org
In this episode of NUCLECAST, Adam speaks with Dr. Rob Soofer, a senior fellow in the Forward Defense practice of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, where he leads its Nuclear Strategy Project. They discuss the evolving threats from countries like North Korea, Russia, and China, and the need for a robust missile defense strategy that reassures allies and deters adversaries. Soofer emphasizes the necessity of a layered missile defense system and the challenges posed by budgetary constraints in achieving these goals. The conversation also touches on the future of missile defense technology, including space-based capabilities and the importance of bipartisan support for defense initiatives. He is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies, teaching courses in nuclear strategy, missile defense, and arms control. He serves as a consultant for the Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories as well as the Institute for Defense Analyses. Soofer was deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy from April 2017 to January 2021. In this capacity, he was co director of the Nuclear Posture Review and Missile Defense Review and led their implementation; testified before Congress on nuclear and missile defense policy; led biannual nuclear staff talks with key allies; served as US representative to the NATO High Level Group for nuclear planning; and was the secretary of defense representative to the US-Russia nuclear arms control talks. Previously, Soofer served for eight years as a professional staff member and Republican staff lead for the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as strategic forces policy advisor to Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), then the Republican whip. He also was military legislative assistant to former Senator Slade Gorton (R-WA) and professional staff member on the Senate Republican Policy Committee. He taught at the National War College for three years as professor of national-security policy and served for eight years in various policy and international-affairs positions with the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization/Missile Defense Agency. In 2003, he was called to active duty as a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserve and assigned to the newly created Terrorist Threat Integration Center. Soofer received his doctorate in international relations from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the National War College. He was awarded the Department of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Medal and Distinguished Public Service Medal and is the author of Missile Defenses and Western European Security (Greenwood Press, 1988). Socials: Follow on Twitter at @NucleCast Follow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcast Subscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/ Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278 Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org