Join us for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Stephen Herzog as we explore the intricate landscape of nuclear strategy, from the fundamentals of deterrence theory to the geopolitics of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We dive deep into pressing questions about who should have access to nuclear weapons, how arms control agreements shape global security, and what emerging technologies mean for the future of nuclear governance.

Dr. Stephen Herzog is a leading expert in nuclear nonproliferation and arms control, serving as Professor of the Practice at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. He is also an Associate of the Project on Managing the Atom at Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Dr. Herzog brings a unique blend of academic expertise and practical policymaking experience, having previously served as a U.S. Department of Energy technical nuclear arms control official, where he worked directly on the implementation and verification of nuclear agreements.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

01:57 – Types and Categories of Nuclear Weapons

08:40 – Tactical Nuclear Weapons: Historical and Contemporary Contexts

10:32 – Understanding the Concept of Existential Deterrence

16:39 – Extended Deterrence and the Logic of Alliance Security

25:54 – The NPT and the Persistence of Great Power Monopoly

31:53 – Treaty Reform or Status Quo? The Politics of Nuclear Governance

33:12 – Aspirant States and the Quest for Nuclear Capability

34:47 – Escalation Control: Between Arms Agreements and Overconfidence

43:15 – The Dilemma of Quantity: Many vs. Few Nuclear Weapons

50:38 – Authority and Legitimacy: Who Decides Nuclear Access?

55:58 – Technological Challenges to Nuclear Security and Control

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