Fiona Cunningham
@fiona-cunningham.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Author of “Under the Nuclear Shadow” (Princeton, 2025). China, nukes, cyber, space, international security. She/her. Personal website: www.fionascunningham.com
Pinned
Under the Nuclear Shadow
How and why China has pursued information-age weapons to gain leverage against its adversaries
press.princeton.edu
Launch day! My new book “Under the Nuclear Shadow” about China’s approach to strategic deterrence and information-age weapons is officially out with @princetonupress.bsky.social ! To read more about it and order it, see press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
Fall 2025 issue preview @intsecurity.bsky.social!
M. Trachtenberg | rules-based international order
@aaronbateman.bsky.social | U.S. space power
@ajmount.bsky.social | conventional deterrence of nuclear use
DJ Kim | clients’ demand evasion
@mikegoldfien.bsky.social | hawks, doves, & rapprochement
M. Trachtenberg | rules-based international order
@aaronbateman.bsky.social | U.S. space power
@ajmount.bsky.social | conventional deterrence of nuclear use
DJ Kim | clients’ demand evasion
@mikegoldfien.bsky.social | hawks, doves, & rapprochement
October 21, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Fall 2025 issue preview @intsecurity.bsky.social!
M. Trachtenberg | rules-based international order
@aaronbateman.bsky.social | U.S. space power
@ajmount.bsky.social | conventional deterrence of nuclear use
DJ Kim | clients’ demand evasion
@mikegoldfien.bsky.social | hawks, doves, & rapprochement
M. Trachtenberg | rules-based international order
@aaronbateman.bsky.social | U.S. space power
@ajmount.bsky.social | conventional deterrence of nuclear use
DJ Kim | clients’ demand evasion
@mikegoldfien.bsky.social | hawks, doves, & rapprochement
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
I'm thrilled to have an article in the fall volume of International Security on the role of allies in U.S. space power during the Cold War!
October 21, 2025 at 5:48 PM
I'm thrilled to have an article in the fall volume of International Security on the role of allies in U.S. space power during the Cold War!
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
At the Elliott School of International Affairs we are searching for a senior scholar (associate or full) of international security who will also be appointed to the Political Science Department. Elliott is a fantastic community. See details below:
www.gwu.jobs/postings/122...
www.gwu.jobs/postings/122...
Associate or Full Professor of Political Science and International Affairs
Security studies: The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and Department of Political Science invite applications for a full-time, tenured faculty position in securi...
www.gwu.jobs
September 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
At the Elliott School of International Affairs we are searching for a senior scholar (associate or full) of international security who will also be appointed to the Political Science Department. Elliott is a fantastic community. See details below:
www.gwu.jobs/postings/122...
www.gwu.jobs/postings/122...
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
On 3 Oct I'll be in London to give a talk at RUSI about the origins/ evolution of space-based missile defense and its implications for space security and the transatlantic alliance. If you happen to be in London and are interested, the registration details are below:
my.rusi.org/events/the-e...
my.rusi.org/events/the-e...
The Evolution of Weapons in Space: A Conversation with Aaron Bateman
A conversation with Dr Aaron Bateman, exploring his research on the history of accelerating superpower military competition in space during the late Cold War and thereafter.
my.rusi.org
September 9, 2025 at 2:57 PM
On 3 Oct I'll be in London to give a talk at RUSI about the origins/ evolution of space-based missile defense and its implications for space security and the transatlantic alliance. If you happen to be in London and are interested, the registration details are below:
my.rusi.org/events/the-e...
my.rusi.org/events/the-e...
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
New podcast
How has strategic deterrence evolved from the Cold War to the current era?
@aaronbateman.bsky.social and @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social join @davidmandrews.bsky.social to explore this, with a focus on nuclear weapons, space capabilities and other approaches.
Listen
tinyurl.com/7b4n22fp
How has strategic deterrence evolved from the Cold War to the current era?
@aaronbateman.bsky.social and @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social join @davidmandrews.bsky.social to explore this, with a focus on nuclear weapons, space capabilities and other approaches.
Listen
tinyurl.com/7b4n22fp
August 22, 2025 at 12:33 AM
New podcast
How has strategic deterrence evolved from the Cold War to the current era?
@aaronbateman.bsky.social and @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social join @davidmandrews.bsky.social to explore this, with a focus on nuclear weapons, space capabilities and other approaches.
Listen
tinyurl.com/7b4n22fp
How has strategic deterrence evolved from the Cold War to the current era?
@aaronbateman.bsky.social and @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social join @davidmandrews.bsky.social to explore this, with a focus on nuclear weapons, space capabilities and other approaches.
Listen
tinyurl.com/7b4n22fp
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
Slightly belatedly sharing this H-Diplo roundtable honoring the contributions of the late Owen Cote. Contributions from Barry Posen, Steve Miller, Phil Haun, @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social, Lena Andrews, Austin Long, and myself.
We miss Owen everyday.
networks.h-net.org/group/discus...
We miss Owen everyday.
networks.h-net.org/group/discus...
H-Diplo|RJISSF Tribute to the Scholarship and Legacy of Owen R. Coté, Jr. | H-Net
H-Diplo | Robert Jervis International Security Studvies ForumTribute to the Scholarship and Legacy of Owen R. Coté, Jr.
networks.h-net.org
June 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Slightly belatedly sharing this H-Diplo roundtable honoring the contributions of the late Owen Cote. Contributions from Barry Posen, Steve Miller, Phil Haun, @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social, Lena Andrews, Austin Long, and myself.
We miss Owen everyday.
networks.h-net.org/group/discus...
We miss Owen everyday.
networks.h-net.org/group/discus...
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
Next week: "Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security" with @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social
RSVP here⤵️
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/events/under...
RSVP here⤵️
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/events/under...
Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu
May 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Next week: "Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security" with @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social
RSVP here⤵️
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/events/under...
RSVP here⤵️
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/events/under...
Thanks to the @astropoliticswg.bsky.social for a great discussion about my book this morning/afternoon, focusing on the counterspace elements of PRC strategic deterrence!
Thanks very much to @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social for presenting her research on Chinese approaches to deterrence and coercion, and her novel theory of Strategic Substitution, placing China's counterspace weapons in a wider context alongside other information age weapons.
📢We are delighted to announce that we have kicked off todays book talk with @astropoliticswg.bsky.social!
📚Today we are joined by @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social to discuss her book: "Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security"
📚Today we are joined by @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social to discuss her book: "Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security"
May 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Thanks to the @astropoliticswg.bsky.social for a great discussion about my book this morning/afternoon, focusing on the counterspace elements of PRC strategic deterrence!
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
PWH director @mchorowitz.bsky.social and PWH faculty fellow @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social are featured on @jordanschneider.bsky.social's China Talk about Cunningham's new book, Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security.
🎧: www.chinatalk.media/p/chinas-nuc...
🎧: www.chinatalk.media/p/chinas-nuc...
Under the Nuclear Shadow
China's Deterrence Playbook
www.chinatalk.media
May 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
PWH director @mchorowitz.bsky.social and PWH faculty fellow @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social are featured on @jordanschneider.bsky.social's China Talk about Cunningham's new book, Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security.
🎧: www.chinatalk.media/p/chinas-nuc...
🎧: www.chinatalk.media/p/chinas-nuc...
I spoke to @jordanschneider.bsky.social on the China Talk podcast with my wonderful colleague @mchorowitz.bsky.social about all things China and strategic deterrence, inspired by my new @princetonupress.bsky.social book “Under the Nuclear Shadow”. Check it out: www.chinatalk.media/p/chinas-nuc...
Under the Nuclear Shadow
China's Deterrence Playbook
www.chinatalk.media
May 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I spoke to @jordanschneider.bsky.social on the China Talk podcast with my wonderful colleague @mchorowitz.bsky.social about all things China and strategic deterrence, inspired by my new @princetonupress.bsky.social book “Under the Nuclear Shadow”. Check it out: www.chinatalk.media/p/chinas-nuc...
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
@astropoliticswg.bsky.social events!🎉
AGM: open to all AWG members 15 May - inc. a review of AWG activities, Update on Convenors' term and more
Book talk - Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security w/ @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social
link -
AGM: open to all AWG members 15 May - inc. a review of AWG activities, Update on Convenors' term and more
Book talk - Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security w/ @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social
link -
Astropolitics
The Astropolitics Working Group brings together scholars working on the politics of outer space. In this nascent field, we support, develop, and enrich research in studying the international politics…
buff.ly
May 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
@astropoliticswg.bsky.social events!🎉
AGM: open to all AWG members 15 May - inc. a review of AWG activities, Update on Convenors' term and more
Book talk - Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security w/ @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social
link -
AGM: open to all AWG members 15 May - inc. a review of AWG activities, Update on Convenors' term and more
Book talk - Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security w/ @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social
link -
I’m excited to discuss my book “Under the Nuclear Shadow” on China and strategic deterrence in the info age at @perryworldhouse.bsky.social with @financialtimes.com US-China correspondent Demetri Sevastopulo TODAY! Details here perryworldhouse.upenn.edu/events/under... @princetonupress.bsky.social
Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Weapons in the Information Age - Perry World House
How can states use military force to achieve their political aims without triggering a catastrophic nuclear war? Among the states facing this dilemma of fighting limited wars, only China has given inf...
perryworldhouse.upenn.edu
April 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I’m excited to discuss my book “Under the Nuclear Shadow” on China and strategic deterrence in the info age at @perryworldhouse.bsky.social with @financialtimes.com US-China correspondent Demetri Sevastopulo TODAY! Details here perryworldhouse.upenn.edu/events/under... @princetonupress.bsky.social
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
This Tuesday (April 29) at noon EDT: @perryworldhouse.bsky.social welcomes @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social to discuss her new book, Under the Nuclear Shadow. Demetri Sevastopulo will be moderating.
Register today for this hybrid event:
Register today for this hybrid event:
Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Weapons in the Information Age - Perry World House
How can states use military force to achieve their political aims without triggering a catastrophic nuclear war? Among the states facing this dilemma of fighting limited wars, only China has given…
perryworldhouse.upenn.edu
April 27, 2025 at 2:14 PM
This Tuesday (April 29) at noon EDT: @perryworldhouse.bsky.social welcomes @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social to discuss her new book, Under the Nuclear Shadow. Demetri Sevastopulo will be moderating.
Register today for this hybrid event:
Register today for this hybrid event:
Thanks to @rabsaa.bsky.social for her really thoughtful commentary on my new @princetonupress.bsky.social book at @belfercenter.bsky.social this week! Nuclear policy, emerging tech, and escalation are such exciting areas for further research!
If you're thinking about nuclear policy, strategic stability, or the intersection of emerging tech and escalation, then @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social's "Under the Nuclear Shadow: China's Information-Age Weapons in International Security," by @princetonupress.bsky.social should be on your list.
April 18, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Thanks to @rabsaa.bsky.social for her really thoughtful commentary on my new @princetonupress.bsky.social book at @belfercenter.bsky.social this week! Nuclear policy, emerging tech, and escalation are such exciting areas for further research!
Thanks to @matthew-bunn.bsky.social, Francesca Giovannini and the terrific nuclear community at the @belfercenter.bsky.social’s Project on Managing the Atom for hosting me to talk about my new @princetonupress.bsky.social book and my new research on the PRC nuclear modernization this week!
Terrific talks yesterday from Fiona Cunningham @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social -- both an exploration of the motivations behind China's nuclear buildup and an overview of her new book on China's use of cyber, counterspace, and precision conventional weapons "under the nuclear shadow."
Under the Nuclear Shadow
How and why China has pursued information-age weapons to gain leverage against its adversaries
press.princeton.edu
April 18, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Thanks to @matthew-bunn.bsky.social, Francesca Giovannini and the terrific nuclear community at the @belfercenter.bsky.social’s Project on Managing the Atom for hosting me to talk about my new @princetonupress.bsky.social book and my new research on the PRC nuclear modernization this week!
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
📚 @astropoliticswg.bsky.social Book talk: 15 May
@fiona-cunningham.bsky.social will be discussing her new book 'Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security'
To register now 👉 buff.ly/4UaCBm9
@princetonupress.bsky.social @perryworldhouse.bsky.social
@fiona-cunningham.bsky.social will be discussing her new book 'Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security'
To register now 👉 buff.ly/4UaCBm9
@princetonupress.bsky.social @perryworldhouse.bsky.social
Book talk: Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security- Astropolitics | BISA
- Astropolitics Working Group
buff.ly
April 10, 2025 at 8:00 AM
📚 @astropoliticswg.bsky.social Book talk: 15 May
@fiona-cunningham.bsky.social will be discussing her new book 'Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security'
To register now 👉 buff.ly/4UaCBm9
@princetonupress.bsky.social @perryworldhouse.bsky.social
@fiona-cunningham.bsky.social will be discussing her new book 'Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security'
To register now 👉 buff.ly/4UaCBm9
@princetonupress.bsky.social @perryworldhouse.bsky.social
Thank you to the Center for International Security Studies at Princeton SPIA for inviting me to talk about my new @princetonupress.bsky.social book yesterday. We had a terrific conversation about all things China, nuclear, technology, security & undersea warfare! ciss.princeton.edu/events/under...
Under the Nuclear Shadow: China's Information-Age Weapons in International Security
How can states use military force to achieve their political aims without triggering a catastrophic nuclear war? Among the states facing this dilemma of fighting limited wars, only China has given inf...
ciss.princeton.edu
April 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Thank you to the Center for International Security Studies at Princeton SPIA for inviting me to talk about my new @princetonupress.bsky.social book yesterday. We had a terrific conversation about all things China, nuclear, technology, security & undersea warfare! ciss.princeton.edu/events/under...
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
Check out the China Global Podcast hosted by @bglaser.bsky.social, where @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social discusses her new book Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information Age Weapons in International Security: www.gmfus.org/news/nuclear....
Nuclear Weaponry and China’s Approach of Strategic Substitution
A conversation between Bonnie Glaser and Fiona Cunningham discussing the limited war dilemma and China's approach of strategic substitution, based on the latter’s newly published book titled, "Under…
www.gmfus.org
April 4, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Check out the China Global Podcast hosted by @bglaser.bsky.social, where @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social discusses her new book Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information Age Weapons in International Security: www.gmfus.org/news/nuclear....
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
I'm really looking forward to presenting some of my ongoing research on the politics of basing space infrastructure abroad using case studies from the Cold War.
In our upcoming Wednesday Seminar, Professor @aaronbateman.bsky.social, George Washington University, will discuss how the United States has leveraged allies since the Cold War to secure access to vital real estate abroad that enables it to project power through space. (1/2)
April 3, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I'm really looking forward to presenting some of my ongoing research on the politics of basing space infrastructure abroad using case studies from the Cold War.
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
Check out this @carnegieendowment.org discussion with @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social, author of Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security: carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/....
Strategic Deterrence in the Information Age: Why China’s Approach is Different
Since the 1990s, China has invested in non-nuclear systems for strategic deterrence. Over time, however, Beijing has learned more about the pitfalls of these information-age weapons and built up its…
carnegieendowment.org
April 3, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Check out this @carnegieendowment.org discussion with @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social, author of Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security: carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/....
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
SSP research affiliate @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social joins a panel of experts to discuss the history & the current trajectory of China’s nuclear arsenal in this recent episode of The Arms Control Poseur for the International Institute of Strategic Studies.
🔊Listen now: www.iiss.org/podcasts/arm...
🔊Listen now: www.iiss.org/podcasts/arm...
Better know a nuke: China
In this episode of The Arms Control Poseur, host Dr Alexander Bollfrass is joined by nuclear policy experts Dr Jingdong Yuan, Dr Tong Zhao and Dr Fiona Cunningham to discuss the history and the current trajectory of China's nuclear arsenal.
www.iiss.org
April 1, 2025 at 5:51 PM
SSP research affiliate @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social joins a panel of experts to discuss the history & the current trajectory of China’s nuclear arsenal in this recent episode of The Arms Control Poseur for the International Institute of Strategic Studies.
🔊Listen now: www.iiss.org/podcasts/arm...
🔊Listen now: www.iiss.org/podcasts/arm...
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
Tomorrow (3/27) at 5 pm EDT: Join the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy at Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs in welcoming @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social to discuss her new book, Under the Nuclear Shadow. She will be in conversation w/Alex Debs.
Learn more:
Learn more:
Brady-Johnson Book Series: Fiona Cunningham - Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs
The Grand Strategy Program continues its spring book series with political scientist Fiona Cunningham’s new book, Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security…
jackson.yale.edu
March 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Tomorrow (3/27) at 5 pm EDT: Join the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy at Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs in welcoming @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social to discuss her new book, Under the Nuclear Shadow. She will be in conversation w/Alex Debs.
Learn more:
Learn more:
On Thursday I’ll be in conversation with Alexandre Debs about my new @princetonupress.bsky.social book “Under the Nuclear Shadow” at Yale. Thanks to the Nuclear Security Program and the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy for hosting me! jackson.yale.edu/jackson-even...
Brady-Johnson Book Series: Fiona Cunningham - Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs
The Grand Strategy Program continues its spring book series with political scientist Fiona Cunningham’s new book, Under the Nuclear Shadow: China’s Information-Age Weapons in International Security (P...
jackson.yale.edu
March 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
On Thursday I’ll be in conversation with Alexandre Debs about my new @princetonupress.bsky.social book “Under the Nuclear Shadow” at Yale. Thanks to the Nuclear Security Program and the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy for hosting me! jackson.yale.edu/jackson-even...
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
New article in Journal of Strategic Studies on grand strategy and nuclear weapons: makes the case that grand strategic change is probably necessary for any major shift in how states think about the political utility of their nuclear weapons www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #NukeSky
Stability and change in nuclear thinking: Grand strategy, nuclear weapons, and policy change
What explains when states shift how they understand the utility of their nuclear weapons? Existing literature offers mechanisms that should be expected to inhibit change, but does not offer an expl...
www.tandfonline.com
March 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
New article in Journal of Strategic Studies on grand strategy and nuclear weapons: makes the case that grand strategic change is probably necessary for any major shift in how states think about the political utility of their nuclear weapons www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #NukeSky
Reposted by Fiona Cunningham
🇨🇳 What is China's approach to strategic substitution and how does it inform the country's nuclear doctrine?
🆕 This week on the China Global podcast, host @bglaser.bsky.social welcomes @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UPenn.
🎙️ Listen Now: bit.ly/4bXmMlD
🆕 This week on the China Global podcast, host @bglaser.bsky.social welcomes @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UPenn.
🎙️ Listen Now: bit.ly/4bXmMlD
March 18, 2025 at 10:31 AM
🇨🇳 What is China's approach to strategic substitution and how does it inform the country's nuclear doctrine?
🆕 This week on the China Global podcast, host @bglaser.bsky.social welcomes @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UPenn.
🎙️ Listen Now: bit.ly/4bXmMlD
🆕 This week on the China Global podcast, host @bglaser.bsky.social welcomes @fiona-cunningham.bsky.social, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UPenn.
🎙️ Listen Now: bit.ly/4bXmMlD