Ben Loehrke
@nonstrategic.bsky.social
Program Officer for Nuclear Weapons at Stanley Center for Peace and Security
Ex-Twitter @nonstrategic
https://stanleycenter.org
Ex-Twitter @nonstrategic
https://stanleycenter.org
Share with your networks!
Accelerator Initiative participants bring so much expertise and creativity into this program and the events they travel to. We're delighted to create this career opportunity and welcome in the next cohort.
Accelerator Initiative participants bring so much expertise and creativity into this program and the events they travel to. We're delighted to create this career opportunity and welcome in the next cohort.
We are excited to announce we are now accepting applications for the sixth cohort of our Accelerator Initiative! ⚛️
This is a #CareerDevelopment opportunity for early-career women and nonbinary people working in nuclear weapons policy.
📆 Apply by Jan 16, 2026
➡️ Apply:
stnl.cr/accelerator
#NukeSky
This is a #CareerDevelopment opportunity for early-career women and nonbinary people working in nuclear weapons policy.
📆 Apply by Jan 16, 2026
➡️ Apply:
stnl.cr/accelerator
#NukeSky
December 16, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Share with your networks!
Accelerator Initiative participants bring so much expertise and creativity into this program and the events they travel to. We're delighted to create this career opportunity and welcome in the next cohort.
Accelerator Initiative participants bring so much expertise and creativity into this program and the events they travel to. We're delighted to create this career opportunity and welcome in the next cohort.
What else could a defense acquisition program do to set itself up for failure?
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
November 24, 2025 at 5:45 PM
What else could a defense acquisition program do to set itself up for failure?
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
State Department deleted records about risk of inadvertent nuclear war from foreign relations publication - records that are still available in public. Trump fired independent committee tasked to oversee the records and seeks to replace it with loyalists. www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Analysis | State Department deleted records about risk of inadvertent nuclear war
Key historical records about the incident during the Regan administration, known as the Able Archer 83 War Scare, were removed without explanation.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:02 PM
State Department deleted records about risk of inadvertent nuclear war from foreign relations publication - records that are still available in public. Trump fired independent committee tasked to oversee the records and seeks to replace it with loyalists. www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Deadline approaching.
Apply today to take part in our upcoming oral history training workshop and interview project.
Apply today to take part in our upcoming oral history training workshop and interview project.
Call for Applications:
Early-career nuclear policy researchers & analysts can join a cohort of experts to train on oral history methodology & conduct interviews w/ risk reduction practitioners.
By @basicint.bsky.social & @stanleycenter.org.
Due July 17:
stnl.cr/oralhistoryp...
#NukeSky
Early-career nuclear policy researchers & analysts can join a cohort of experts to train on oral history methodology & conduct interviews w/ risk reduction practitioners.
By @basicint.bsky.social & @stanleycenter.org.
Due July 17:
stnl.cr/oralhistoryp...
#NukeSky
July 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Deadline approaching.
Apply today to take part in our upcoming oral history training workshop and interview project.
Apply today to take part in our upcoming oral history training workshop and interview project.
Excited to launch this project with @basicint.bsky.social!
Call for Applications:
Early-career nuclear policy researchers & analysts can join a cohort of experts to train on oral history methodology & conduct interviews w/ risk reduction practitioners.
By @basicint.bsky.social & @stanleycenter.org.
Due July 17:
stnl.cr/oralhistoryp...
#NukeSky
Early-career nuclear policy researchers & analysts can join a cohort of experts to train on oral history methodology & conduct interviews w/ risk reduction practitioners.
By @basicint.bsky.social & @stanleycenter.org.
Due July 17:
stnl.cr/oralhistoryp...
#NukeSky
June 26, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Excited to launch this project with @basicint.bsky.social!
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
Our new FAS Nuclear Notebook on Russian nuclear forces is now available. We estimate a stockpile of just over 4,300 warheads, modernizations, but also delays. Earlier STRATCOM projection of significant increase in tac nukes has not yet materialized. www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10....
May 13, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Our new FAS Nuclear Notebook on Russian nuclear forces is now available. We estimate a stockpile of just over 4,300 warheads, modernizations, but also delays. Earlier STRATCOM projection of significant increase in tac nukes has not yet materialized. www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10....
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
#NPTPrepcom #UN Join me on May 5th at the @nti.org's side event during the NPT Prep Com, where a great panel will be examining how crises, both natural and human-made, challenge the resilience of nuclear facilities. www.nti.org/events/stren...
April 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
#NPTPrepcom #UN Join me on May 5th at the @nti.org's side event during the NPT Prep Com, where a great panel will be examining how crises, both natural and human-made, challenge the resilience of nuclear facilities. www.nti.org/events/stren...
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
New from the Congressional Budget Office: “Projected Costs of U.S. Nuclear Forces, 2025 to 2034.” This edition finds total annual costs have jumped to $65.9 billion—up $13.5 billion or 26% since CBO’s 2023 report. Projected costs over the next decade are $946 billion, up $190 billion since 2023.
Projected Costs of U.S. Nuclear Forces, 2025 to 2034
CBO estimates that plans for U.S. nuclear forces, as described in the fiscal year 2025 budget and supporting documents, would cost $946 billion over the 2025–2034 period, $190 billion more than CBO's ...
www.cbo.gov
April 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
New from the Congressional Budget Office: “Projected Costs of U.S. Nuclear Forces, 2025 to 2034.” This edition finds total annual costs have jumped to $65.9 billion—up $13.5 billion or 26% since CBO’s 2023 report. Projected costs over the next decade are $946 billion, up $190 billion since 2023.
Back in grad school, Mac organized and had me manage the 2008 election predictions pool for the policy school.
He and I legit won 1st and 2nd place.
He taught me many lessons on policymaking. Including why we need fair and impartial election officials. Thanks, Mac.
cissm.umd.edu/news/memoria...
He and I legit won 1st and 2nd place.
He taught me many lessons on policymaking. Including why we need fair and impartial election officials. Thanks, Mac.
cissm.umd.edu/news/memoria...
In Memoriam: Mac Destler | Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland
cissm.umd.edu
March 31, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Back in grad school, Mac organized and had me manage the 2008 election predictions pool for the policy school.
He and I legit won 1st and 2nd place.
He taught me many lessons on policymaking. Including why we need fair and impartial election officials. Thanks, Mac.
cissm.umd.edu/news/memoria...
He and I legit won 1st and 2nd place.
He taught me many lessons on policymaking. Including why we need fair and impartial election officials. Thanks, Mac.
cissm.umd.edu/news/memoria...
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
🚨New open access paper of mine on the connections between climate change and the politics of nuclear arms and disarmament.
Thanks to @erc.europa.eu and @belfercenter.bsky.social ‘Rethinking Nuclear Deterrence’ program for the support. academic.oup.com/isr/article/...
Thanks to @erc.europa.eu and @belfercenter.bsky.social ‘Rethinking Nuclear Deterrence’ program for the support. academic.oup.com/isr/article/...
Disentangling the Nexus of Nuclear Weapons and Climate Change—A Research Agenda
Abstract. Global warming and nuclear war are frequently described as the world's greatest threats. Both challenges could be understood as expressions of mo
academic.oup.com
March 24, 2025 at 8:38 AM
🚨New open access paper of mine on the connections between climate change and the politics of nuclear arms and disarmament.
Thanks to @erc.europa.eu and @belfercenter.bsky.social ‘Rethinking Nuclear Deterrence’ program for the support. academic.oup.com/isr/article/...
Thanks to @erc.europa.eu and @belfercenter.bsky.social ‘Rethinking Nuclear Deterrence’ program for the support. academic.oup.com/isr/article/...
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
New from me: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is asking for Pentagon agencies that do work overseas to plan for cuts of up to 75%.
These agencies say the cuts will "increase risk to US due to pathogen spread and easier adversary pathways to develop WMD."
www.wired.com/story/pentag...
These agencies say the cuts will "increase risk to US due to pathogen spread and easier adversary pathways to develop WMD."
www.wired.com/story/pentag...
Pentagon Cuts Threaten Programs That Secure Loose Nukes and Weapons of Mass Destruction
Documents obtained by WIRED show the US Department of Defense is considering cutting up to 75 percent of workers who stop the spread of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons.
www.wired.com
March 6, 2025 at 7:26 PM
New from me: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is asking for Pentagon agencies that do work overseas to plan for cuts of up to 75%.
These agencies say the cuts will "increase risk to US due to pathogen spread and easier adversary pathways to develop WMD."
www.wired.com/story/pentag...
These agencies say the cuts will "increase risk to US due to pathogen spread and easier adversary pathways to develop WMD."
www.wired.com/story/pentag...
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
ATTENTION NUKE NERDS: We’re hosting a one-week, in-person OSINT bootcamp to teach a new generation of open-source nuke investigators. If you’re an early- to mid-career nuclear weapons analyst, this bootcamp is calling for you.
Apply today ▶️ fas.org/osint-bootcamp-2025/
Apply today ▶️ fas.org/osint-bootcamp-2025/
February 3, 2025 at 2:26 PM
ATTENTION NUKE NERDS: We’re hosting a one-week, in-person OSINT bootcamp to teach a new generation of open-source nuke investigators. If you’re an early- to mid-career nuclear weapons analyst, this bootcamp is calling for you.
Apply today ▶️ fas.org/osint-bootcamp-2025/
Apply today ▶️ fas.org/osint-bootcamp-2025/
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
🚨 Nuke/OSINT nerds—we have an incredible new opportunity for you!
This summer, @scientistsorg.bsky.social is hosting a first-of-its-kind Open Source Nuclear Analysis Bootcamp, where you will learn to analyze:
- Satellite imagery
- Missiles
- Fuel cycle
- FOIA requests
- Much more!
Apply by 23 Feb!
This summer, @scientistsorg.bsky.social is hosting a first-of-its-kind Open Source Nuclear Analysis Bootcamp, where you will learn to analyze:
- Satellite imagery
- Missiles
- Fuel cycle
- FOIA requests
- Much more!
Apply by 23 Feb!
February 3, 2025 at 2:40 PM
🚨 Nuke/OSINT nerds—we have an incredible new opportunity for you!
This summer, @scientistsorg.bsky.social is hosting a first-of-its-kind Open Source Nuclear Analysis Bootcamp, where you will learn to analyze:
- Satellite imagery
- Missiles
- Fuel cycle
- FOIA requests
- Much more!
Apply by 23 Feb!
This summer, @scientistsorg.bsky.social is hosting a first-of-its-kind Open Source Nuclear Analysis Bootcamp, where you will learn to analyze:
- Satellite imagery
- Missiles
- Fuel cycle
- FOIA requests
- Much more!
Apply by 23 Feb!
The Bulletin should bring in guest DJs. I need better lists of apocalypse bops and metal that really dooms.
For some #DoomsdayClock inspired music, check out our Spotify playlist.
Hozier, Iron Maiden, and The Who are just a few acts who've referenced the Clock in their work.
Give it a listen while you wait for the Clock announcement tomorrow, January 28th.
Hozier, Iron Maiden, and The Who are just a few acts who've referenced the Clock in their work.
Give it a listen while you wait for the Clock announcement tomorrow, January 28th.
Doomsday Clock Playlist
Playlist · Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists · 14 items · 1.1K saves
spoti.fi
January 28, 2025 at 6:19 PM
The Bulletin should bring in guest DJs. I need better lists of apocalypse bops and metal that really dooms.
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
I am fairly pleased with this table that I cobbled together for a guest lecture next week on the different narratives about the use of the atomic bomb in World War II, and creating an example of ways in which they can be compared to each other in an overarching way.
January 25, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I am fairly pleased with this table that I cobbled together for a guest lecture next week on the different narratives about the use of the atomic bomb in World War II, and creating an example of ways in which they can be compared to each other in an overarching way.
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
Tomorrow: "From Crust to Core: Analyzing North Korea’s Fissile Material and Strategic Resource Production" with Sulgiye Park
RSVP here⤵️
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/events/crust...
RSVP here⤵️
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/events/crust...
From Crust to Core: Analyzing North Korea’s Fissile Material and Strategic
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu
December 4, 2024 at 11:49 PM
Tomorrow: "From Crust to Core: Analyzing North Korea’s Fissile Material and Strategic Resource Production" with Sulgiye Park
RSVP here⤵️
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/events/crust...
RSVP here⤵️
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/events/crust...
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
The Secret Pentagon War Game That Offers a Stark Warning for Our Times. Want to know more about the Proud Prophet wargame discussed in this weekends NY Times magazine? Link to the (heavily redacted) report as well as memos between CIA and DOD below.
dnyuz.com/2024/12/02/t...
dnyuz.com/2024/12/02/t...
The Secret Pentagon War Game That Offers a Stark Warning for Our Times
Nuclear confrontation is fundamentally a form of communication — even after the first blows fall. Some in government see it
dnyuz.com
December 2, 2024 at 10:57 PM
The Secret Pentagon War Game That Offers a Stark Warning for Our Times. Want to know more about the Proud Prophet wargame discussed in this weekends NY Times magazine? Link to the (heavily redacted) report as well as memos between CIA and DOD below.
dnyuz.com/2024/12/02/t...
dnyuz.com/2024/12/02/t...
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
Are you an early career scholar/practitioner interested in researching and having impact in nuclear arms control and disarmament?
If so, apply now for the Atomic Anxiety in the New Nuclear Age 2025 Fellows Scheme. #NukeSky
atomicanxiety.com/2024/11/14/2...
If so, apply now for the Atomic Anxiety in the New Nuclear Age 2025 Fellows Scheme. #NukeSky
atomicanxiety.com/2024/11/14/2...
2025 Fellows Scheme Applications Now Open!
Are you interested in researching and having impact in nuclear arms control and disarmament? Do you want to join a community of scholars and practitioners exploring innovative ideas in the field of…
atomicanxiety.com
November 18, 2024 at 3:52 PM
Are you an early career scholar/practitioner interested in researching and having impact in nuclear arms control and disarmament?
If so, apply now for the Atomic Anxiety in the New Nuclear Age 2025 Fellows Scheme. #NukeSky
atomicanxiety.com/2024/11/14/2...
If so, apply now for the Atomic Anxiety in the New Nuclear Age 2025 Fellows Scheme. #NukeSky
atomicanxiety.com/2024/11/14/2...
Excited for this roundtable next week, co-hosted with the Project on Managing the Atom. Featuring remarks from Rabia Akhtar, @mbudjeryn.bsky.social , Ruhee Neog, Matt Bunn, and Eli Levite.
If you're in the neighborhood, drop in.
www.belfercenter.org/event/roundt...
If you're in the neighborhood, drop in.
www.belfercenter.org/event/roundt...
Roundtable on Nuclear Security in Conflict Zones
www.belfercenter.org
November 27, 2024 at 4:17 PM
Excited for this roundtable next week, co-hosted with the Project on Managing the Atom. Featuring remarks from Rabia Akhtar, @mbudjeryn.bsky.social , Ruhee Neog, Matt Bunn, and Eli Levite.
If you're in the neighborhood, drop in.
www.belfercenter.org/event/roundt...
If you're in the neighborhood, drop in.
www.belfercenter.org/event/roundt...
Russia notified the U.S. of the missile launch via the nuclear risk reduction centers.
The NNRRC is a low-key, essential success case in crisis prevention mechanisms. Generally not good when it’s part of breaking news.
The NNRRC is a low-key, essential success case in crisis prevention mechanisms. Generally not good when it’s part of breaking news.
NRRCs have significantly contributed to reducing inadvertent nuclear risks. How can the centers do more?
Excellent new paper from Rose Gottemoeller and Dan Zhukov.
Via @stanleycenter.bsky.social and RUSI @matthewharries.bsky.social .
#Nukesky
Excellent new paper from Rose Gottemoeller and Dan Zhukov.
Via @stanleycenter.bsky.social and RUSI @matthewharries.bsky.social .
#Nukesky
Nuclear Risk Reduction Centers: A Stable Channel in Unstable Times | Stanley Center for Peace and Se...
Rose Gottemoeller and Daniil Zhukov explore the history of NRRCs in the United States and Russia, consider their performance, and present ideas for expanding on the NRRC concept to enhance risk reduct...
stanleycenter.org
November 22, 2024 at 7:27 AM
Russia notified the U.S. of the missile launch via the nuclear risk reduction centers.
The NNRRC is a low-key, essential success case in crisis prevention mechanisms. Generally not good when it’s part of breaking news.
The NNRRC is a low-key, essential success case in crisis prevention mechanisms. Generally not good when it’s part of breaking news.
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
So where do things stand on this whole question of whether Russia launched an ICBM against Ukraine or not?
Here's a short 🧵 wrapping up a lot of good observations by experts, plus a few of my own....
Here's a short 🧵 wrapping up a lot of good observations by experts, plus a few of my own....
November 21, 2024 at 2:44 PM
So where do things stand on this whole question of whether Russia launched an ICBM against Ukraine or not?
Here's a short 🧵 wrapping up a lot of good observations by experts, plus a few of my own....
Here's a short 🧵 wrapping up a lot of good observations by experts, plus a few of my own....
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
Starter Pack for Nuclear Weapons History and Politics. Most of these folks are within the broader #NukeSky world.
If I've missed you, please let me know if you would like to be added or suggest anyone else who should be on this!
👉 go.bsky.app/KDiibQK
If I've missed you, please let me know if you would like to be added or suggest anyone else who should be on this!
👉 go.bsky.app/KDiibQK
November 15, 2024 at 6:21 AM
Starter Pack for Nuclear Weapons History and Politics. Most of these folks are within the broader #NukeSky world.
If I've missed you, please let me know if you would like to be added or suggest anyone else who should be on this!
👉 go.bsky.app/KDiibQK
If I've missed you, please let me know if you would like to be added or suggest anyone else who should be on this!
👉 go.bsky.app/KDiibQK
To new followers and friends, Welcome to the good place.
You can also follow our work via @stanleycenter.bsky.social .
You can also follow our work via @stanleycenter.bsky.social .
November 18, 2024 at 4:23 PM
To new followers and friends, Welcome to the good place.
You can also follow our work via @stanleycenter.bsky.social .
You can also follow our work via @stanleycenter.bsky.social .
Reposted by Ben Loehrke
🚨 Job Alert 🚨
Stanford’s CISAC is hiring a Research Assistant for the 25/26 academic year for Scott Sagan. Application window closes December 1st.
Amazing opportunity to work with one of the best academics in the nuclear & international security field.
careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/social-...
Stanford’s CISAC is hiring a Research Assistant for the 25/26 academic year for Scott Sagan. Application window closes December 1st.
Amazing opportunity to work with one of the best academics in the nuclear & international security field.
careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/social-...
Social Science Research Assistant in Dean of Research, Stanford, California, United States
Professor Scott Sagan is seeking a tenacious research assistant with first-rate analytical capabilities and outstanding academic credentials to...
careersearch.stanford.edu
November 16, 2024 at 9:39 PM
🚨 Job Alert 🚨
Stanford’s CISAC is hiring a Research Assistant for the 25/26 academic year for Scott Sagan. Application window closes December 1st.
Amazing opportunity to work with one of the best academics in the nuclear & international security field.
careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/social-...
Stanford’s CISAC is hiring a Research Assistant for the 25/26 academic year for Scott Sagan. Application window closes December 1st.
Amazing opportunity to work with one of the best academics in the nuclear & international security field.
careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/social-...
Observe the “such as.”
(Ongoing thread)
Authors talking emerging technologies and nuclear policy run into the problem of defining their terms and making it easier for readers to get.
As a shortcut, we employ the “Such as.” It’s a rowdy collection of mostly unrelated technologies.
(Ongoing thread)
Authors talking emerging technologies and nuclear policy run into the problem of defining their terms and making it easier for readers to get.
As a shortcut, we employ the “Such as.” It’s a rowdy collection of mostly unrelated technologies.
November 16, 2024 at 8:49 PM
Observe the “such as.”
(Ongoing thread)
Authors talking emerging technologies and nuclear policy run into the problem of defining their terms and making it easier for readers to get.
As a shortcut, we employ the “Such as.” It’s a rowdy collection of mostly unrelated technologies.
(Ongoing thread)
Authors talking emerging technologies and nuclear policy run into the problem of defining their terms and making it easier for readers to get.
As a shortcut, we employ the “Such as.” It’s a rowdy collection of mostly unrelated technologies.