Columnists

Joshua Pollack

Extended deterrence and the tactical nuclear mirage

12 March 2010

Tactical nukes aren't necessary to demonstrate Washington's commitment to the security of its allies. Nor do they determine whether such allies will seek nuclear weapons of their own.

Is the cyber threat a weapon of mass destruction?

20 January 2010

Probably not--despite the fears of U.S. military officials and others. Nonetheless, it's troublesome, especially when it pertains to U.S.-Chinese relations.

The Nuclear Posture Review, now and later

6 January 2010

Any truly transformative change the upcoming Nuclear Posture Review institutes will take time. But there are two simpler strategies Washington can pursue immediately to fight nuclear proliferation and terrorism.

Time for a test-ban bargain

30 November 2009

There is a way to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty while also preserving the expertise of the country's nuclear weapons complex. It's called the Stockpile Management Program.

Reducing the role of nuclear weapons

30 October 2009

The first step--the United States should declare a no-first-use policy, signaling to the world that its nuclear arsenal is for deterrence and deterrence only.

Deconstructing the Iranian challenge

29 September 2009

How the international community handles Iran in the coming days far transcends Tehran's nuclear ambitions; it also directly affects the legitimacy of the U.N. Security Council and NPT.

Getting back to basics on missile defense

15 September 2009

Missile defense has a military purpose, it's just not the one most people think of.

Profile

Joshua Pollack (Profile Image)

Joshua Pollack

Pollack is a consultant to the U.S. government. He has conducted studies in several areas, including arms control, verification technologies, proliferation, deterrence, intelligence, homeland security, counterterrorism, and Middle East security affairs. He is a regular contributor at the prominent blog Arms Control Wonk, focusing primarily on current challenges to the nuclear nonproliferation regime. He also has written recently about issues surrounding emerging non-nuclear strategic forces, including conventional prompt global strike weapons and strategic missile defenses. He is a graduate of Vassar College and the University of Maryland, where he attended the Maryland School of Public Policy. The opinions expressed here are his own and don't necessarily reflect those of his employer or clients.

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