Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
Washington-DC based international security analyst
Political science
69%
Sociology
7%
Reposted by Richard Weitz
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: Technical Issues for the United States 2012
This report reviews and updates the 2002 National Research Council report, Technical Issues Related to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). T...
www.nationalacademies.org
Full text: www.nationalacademies.org/publications...
Reposted by Richard Weitz
Statement to the Conference on Disarmament - United States Department of State
As Delivered Good morning colleagues. Thank you for hosting me today and for accommodating the schedule change. Thank you to Chargé Baasankhuu for Mongolia’s leadership of this year’s CD. Today marks ...
www.state.gov
Important statements on the Trump administration's arms control policy from Secretary Rubio and Undersecretary DiNanno, calling for future accords to include limits on both Russian and Chinese forces.
Rubio: statedept.substack.com/p/the-next-e...
DiNanno: www.state.gov/releases/202...
Rubio: statedept.substack.com/p/the-next-e...
DiNanno: www.state.gov/releases/202...
Reposted by Richard Weitz
Golden Dome is forcing the Pentagon to confront missile defense economics
Golden Dome is forcing the Pentagon to confront missile defense economics Golden Dome is forcing the Pentagon to confront missile defense economics
spacenews.com
“Guetlein said the program’s central challenge is the economics of missile defense, specifically how the cost of each intercept limits how many interceptor shots the United States can afford to keep on hand.”
The Pentagon has just released the 2026 National Defense Strategy at media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/...
media.defense.gov
Its four core "lines of effort":
Line of Effort 1: Defend the U.S. Homeland
Line of Effort 2: Deter China in the Indo-Pacific Through Strength, Not Confrontation
Line of Effort 3: Increase Burden-Sharing with U.S. Allies and Partners
Line of Effort 4: Supercharge the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
Line of Effort 1: Defend the U.S. Homeland
Line of Effort 2: Deter China in the Indo-Pacific Through Strength, Not Confrontation
Line of Effort 3: Increase Burden-Sharing with U.S. Allies and Partners
Line of Effort 4: Supercharge the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
media.defense.gov
The Pentagon has just released the 2026 National Defense Strategy at media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/...
China-ROK Relations on the Rebound?
South Korea has recently proven atypically successful in straddling regional tensions involving China, but Beijing’s strained relations with Washington and its allies will sorely test Seoul’s pragmati...
www.chinausfocus.com
China-ROK Relations on the Rebound? - Richard Weitz - South Korea has recently proven atypically successful in straddling regional tensions involving China, but Beijing’s strained relations with Washington will sorely test Seoul’s pragmatic diplomacy
www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-poli...
www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-poli...
Reposted by Richard Weitz
Are you a PhD student, junior faculty member or early/mid-career national security practitioner interested in using wargaming as an analytic or teaching tool? Apply for the 2026 Summer Wargaming Lab Institute!
Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/49DlhZj
Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/49DlhZj
Reposted by Richard Weitz
POLITICO Europe
@politico.eu
· 29d
Moldova’s Sandu says she would vote for reunification with Romania
Chișinău’s leader says the country is struggling to resist Russia and remain “sovereign.”
www.politico.eu
Moldovan President Maia Sandu said she would vote to reunify with Romania if the issue ever goes to a referendum, saying it was becoming harder for her country to “survive” on its own.
Reposted by Richard Weitz
Shashank Joshi
@shashj.bsky.social
· Jan 7
Trump officials told lawmakers that Maduro and his wife hit their heads as they attempted to flee US forces | CNN Politics
Trump administration officials told lawmakers on Monday that then Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were injured after hitting their heads as they were fleeing US forces tr...
edition.cnn.com
"There were nearly 200 US personnel on the ground in Caracas during the operation, Hegseth said on Monday at a shipyard in Newport News, Virginia." edition.cnn.com/2026/01/06/p...
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Dec 25
10 charts that show where the economy is heading
The U.S. economy experienced steady growth in 2025, despite concerns over inflation and the job market, with artificial intelligence playing a significant role in driving growth.
wapo.st
10 charts that show where the economy is heading wapo.st/48T5pCL
Reposted by Richard Weitz
RUSI
@rusi.bsky.social
· Dec 23
#HIRING
Don’t miss the opportunity to join RUSI as a Research Bids Manager.
Lead complex research bids, work closely with senior researchers, and help shape competitive, high-impact proposals.
Closing date: 9 January 2026
Apply today: https://bit.ly/4aZxiug
Don’t miss the opportunity to join RUSI as a Research Bids Manager.
Lead complex research bids, work closely with senior researchers, and help shape competitive, high-impact proposals.
Closing date: 9 January 2026
Apply today: https://bit.ly/4aZxiug
Reposted by Richard Weitz
SIPRI.bsky.social
@sipri.org
· Dec 18
New data on the arms industry, SIPRI Yearbook summaries in 14 languages, risk reduction in Northern Europe, and more in the December issue of the SIPRI Update newsletter ➡️ bit.ly/4p0D0PM
Subscribe today ➡️ bit.ly/SIPRIsubscribe
#SIPRI #GlobalSecurity #Data #Peace #Research
Subscribe today ➡️ bit.ly/SIPRIsubscribe
#SIPRI #GlobalSecurity #Data #Peace #Research
Reposted by David R. Miller, Richard Weitz
Nahal Toosi
@nahaltoosi.bsky.social
· Dec 5
www.whitehouse.gov
The Trump administration has quietly released its National Security Strategy — apparently late on Thursday. Usually there's a rollout and fanfare for these things: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Realizing Africa’s potential: A journey to prosperity | Brookings
Join us for the public launch and discussion of "Realizing Africa's Potential" on November 10. The event will bring together experts from various sectors for a panel discussion on Africa’s economic tr...
www.brookings.edu
Realizing Africa’s potential: A journey to prosperity www.brookings.edu/events/reali...
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Oct 30
Korea On Point just published my piece on "how the Russia–Ukraine war’s ripple effect is reshaping Asia’s security.
As Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang tighten ties, Seoul and Washington face rising escalation risks on the Korean Peninsula."
Read more: koreaonpoint.org/articles/art...
As Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang tighten ties, Seoul and Washington face rising escalation risks on the Korean Peninsula."
Read more: koreaonpoint.org/articles/art...
Reposted by Richard Weitz
POLITICO Europe
@politico.eu
· Oct 21
Chances dwindle of quick Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest
Top Russian official says “no agreement” so far on meeting between top diplomats Sergey Lavrov and Marco Rubio.
www.politico.eu
Prospects for an imminent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest appear to be fading, judging by new signals from Moscow.
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Sep 20
Middle East Crises Highlight Constrained Russia-China-India Cooperation - The Asan Forum
Middle East Crises Highlight Constrained Russia-China-India Cooperation Richard Weitz, Hudson Institute1 The Middle East has experienced waves of conflicts since the Hamas terrorist organization attac...
theasanforum.org
theasanforum.org/middle-east-...
This article first reviews the reactions of the Russian, Chinese, and Indian governments. The next section evaluates the reasons for their modest response. The final section considers potential future developments.
This article first reviews the reactions of the Russian, Chinese, and Indian governments. The next section evaluates the reasons for their modest response. The final section considers potential future developments.
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Sep 19
For additional analysis please see: www.hudson.org/security-all...
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Aug 15
Trump-Putin Alaska Summit: Shaping War and Peace
At the end of last week, the diplomatic world was shocked to learn of a potential breakthrough regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war.
eagleintelreports.com
My analysis of the Trump-Putin summit: eagleintelreports.com/alaska-summi...
"Rather than a watershed moment in the Ukraine war and in US policy towards Russia, we should see the summit as contributing to a dynamic process that could eventually lead to a range of possible outcomes. "
"Rather than a watershed moment in the Ukraine war and in US policy towards Russia, we should see the summit as contributing to a dynamic process that could eventually lead to a range of possible outcomes. "
Explaining China’s Reactive Response to the Iran War
China declined an opportunity to join Iran in its June 2025 confrontation with the United States and Israel. Though Beijing enjoys good relations with the Iranian regime, competing alignments and othe...
www.chinausfocus.com
Explaining China’s Reactive Response to the Iran War - Richard Weitz - CHINA US Focus www.chinausfocus.com/peace-securi...
Reposted by Richard Weitz
Outrider Foundation
@outrider.org
· Jul 28
2025 Outrider Nuclear Reporting Summit
This fall, in a former nuclear missile silo, we'll convene journalists at the nexus of health, climate, artificial intelligence, outer space, and national security to discuss how these issues are inte...
outrider.org
Journalists: Please join us at the @outrider.org Nuclear Reporting Summit on October 9-10!
This free, two-day event will focus on how #nuclearweapons issues intersect with AI, community health, #climatechange, local economies, and the #environment.
🔗 APPLY NOW: outrider.org/conference/2...
This free, two-day event will focus on how #nuclearweapons issues intersect with AI, community health, #climatechange, local economies, and the #environment.
🔗 APPLY NOW: outrider.org/conference/2...
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Jul 21
Takeaways (cont.):
• Western sanctions have spurred Chinese, Kazakhstani, and Uzbekistani efforts to construct alternative transportation routes and pursue foreign markets outside Russian territory.
• Western sanctions have spurred Chinese, Kazakhstani, and Uzbekistani efforts to construct alternative transportation routes and pursue foreign markets outside Russian territory.
Takeaways (cont.):
• Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have constrained their security cooperation with Russia, but their economic ties with Russia and China have strengthened substantially.
• Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have constrained their security cooperation with Russia, but their economic ties with Russia and China have strengthened substantially.
Takeaways (cont.):
• A peace deal with Ukraine could allow Russia to devote more security resources to Central Asia while reducing Kazakhstan’s and Uzbekistan’s importance to sanctions circumvention.
• A peace deal with Ukraine could allow Russia to devote more security resources to Central Asia while reducing Kazakhstan’s and Uzbekistan’s importance to sanctions circumvention.
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Jul 21
Takeaways (cont.):
• Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have constrained their security cooperation with Russia, but their economic ties with Russia and China have strengthened substantially.
• Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have constrained their security cooperation with Russia, but their economic ties with Russia and China have strengthened substantially.
Takeaways: (cont.)
• China has pursued a less assertive stance toward potential territorial conflicts in Central Asia than in other regions.
• The transformation of Eurasian energy markets promotes Sino-Russian cooperation and provides Moscow and Beijing with additional leverage over Central Asia.
• China has pursued a less assertive stance toward potential territorial conflicts in Central Asia than in other regions.
• The transformation of Eurasian energy markets promotes Sino-Russian cooperation and provides Moscow and Beijing with additional leverage over Central Asia.
Takeaways (cont.):
• Western sanctions have spurred Chinese, Kazakhstani, and Uzbekistani efforts to construct alternative transportation routes and pursue foreign markets outside Russian territory.
• Western sanctions have spurred Chinese, Kazakhstani, and Uzbekistani efforts to construct alternative transportation routes and pursue foreign markets outside Russian territory.
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Jul 21
Takeaways: (cont.)
• China has pursued a less assertive stance toward potential territorial conflicts in Central Asia than in other regions.
• The transformation of Eurasian energy markets promotes Sino-Russian cooperation and provides Moscow and Beijing with additional leverage over Central Asia.
• China has pursued a less assertive stance toward potential territorial conflicts in Central Asia than in other regions.
• The transformation of Eurasian energy markets promotes Sino-Russian cooperation and provides Moscow and Beijing with additional leverage over Central Asia.
Takeaways
• Central Asia has been a bellwether of the Sino-Russian relationship.
• Russia accounts for almost all of Kazakhstan’s imported weapons systems, while Uzbekistan buys most of its imported arms from Russia.
• Central Asia has been a bellwether of the Sino-Russian relationship.
• Russia accounts for almost all of Kazakhstan’s imported weapons systems, while Uzbekistan buys most of its imported arms from Russia.
Takeaways (cont.):
• Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have constrained their security cooperation with Russia, but their economic ties with Russia and China have strengthened substantially.
• Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have constrained their security cooperation with Russia, but their economic ties with Russia and China have strengthened substantially.
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Jul 21
Takeaways
• Central Asia has been a bellwether of the Sino-Russian relationship.
• Russia accounts for almost all of Kazakhstan’s imported weapons systems, while Uzbekistan buys most of its imported arms from Russia.
• Central Asia has been a bellwether of the Sino-Russian relationship.
• Russia accounts for almost all of Kazakhstan’s imported weapons systems, while Uzbekistan buys most of its imported arms from Russia.
Our fourth RSI-funded report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Central Asia: Preliminary Summary,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...
Takeaways: (cont.)
• China has pursued a less assertive stance toward potential territorial conflicts in Central Asia than in other regions.
• The transformation of Eurasian energy markets promotes Sino-Russian cooperation and provides Moscow and Beijing with additional leverage over Central Asia.
• China has pursued a less assertive stance toward potential territorial conflicts in Central Asia than in other regions.
• The transformation of Eurasian energy markets promotes Sino-Russian cooperation and provides Moscow and Beijing with additional leverage over Central Asia.
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Jul 21
Our fourth RSI-funded report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Central Asia: Preliminary Summary,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...
Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Central Asia: Preliminary Summary
View PDF Executive Summary
www.hudson.org
Takeaways
• Central Asia has been a bellwether of the Sino-Russian relationship.
• Russia accounts for almost all of Kazakhstan’s imported weapons systems, while Uzbekistan buys most of its imported arms from Russia.
• Central Asia has been a bellwether of the Sino-Russian relationship.
• Russia accounts for almost all of Kazakhstan’s imported weapons systems, while Uzbekistan buys most of its imported arms from Russia.
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Jul 21
Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Central Asia: Preliminary Summary
View PDF Executive Summary
www.hudson.org
Our fourth RSI-funded report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Central Asia: Preliminary Summary,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Jul 18
Takeaways (cont.)
• Participating in SCO exercises provided the Chinese military with some of its first opportunities to rehearse power projection capabilities.
• The SCO has ceased holding its large Peace Mission series of exercises; other drills occur but less regularly.
• Participating in SCO exercises provided the Chinese military with some of its first opportunities to rehearse power projection capabilities.
• The SCO has ceased holding its large Peace Mission series of exercises; other drills occur but less regularly.
Takeaways
• Though not a mutual defense alliance, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) remains the most important multilateral security structure in Central Asia that includes both Russia and China.
• Though not a mutual defense alliance, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) remains the most important multilateral security structure in Central Asia that includes both Russia and China.
Takeaways (cont.)
• Despite differences regarding the SCO and the organization’s declining relative importance to Russia and China, the two countries have sustained a robust security partnership within the organization and in Central Asia.
• Despite differences regarding the SCO and the organization’s declining relative importance to Russia and China, the two countries have sustained a robust security partnership within the organization and in Central Asia.
Richard Weitz
@richardweitzdc.bsky.social
· Jul 18
Takeaways
• Though not a mutual defense alliance, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) remains the most important multilateral security structure in Central Asia that includes both Russia and China.
• Though not a mutual defense alliance, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) remains the most important multilateral security structure in Central Asia that includes both Russia and China.
Our third RSI-funded report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...
Takeaways (cont.)
• Participating in SCO exercises provided the Chinese military with some of its first opportunities to rehearse power projection capabilities.
• The SCO has ceased holding its large Peace Mission series of exercises; other drills occur but less regularly.
• Participating in SCO exercises provided the Chinese military with some of its first opportunities to rehearse power projection capabilities.
• The SCO has ceased holding its large Peace Mission series of exercises; other drills occur but less regularly.