Security Studies Program MIT
@ssp-mit.bsky.social
The Security Studies Program at MIT is a graduate-level research and educational program based at the Center for International Studies at MIT.
In the upcoming Focus on Eurasia, Fiona Hill, senior fellow @brookings.edu, and MIT’s Carol Saivetz and Elizabeth Wood discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine. Sponsored by MIT Center for International Studies, MIT-Eurasia, and SSP.
Register for this online event now!
calendar.mit.edu/event/a-conv...
Register for this online event now!
calendar.mit.edu/event/a-conv...
November 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
In the upcoming Focus on Eurasia, Fiona Hill, senior fellow @brookings.edu, and MIT’s Carol Saivetz and Elizabeth Wood discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine. Sponsored by MIT Center for International Studies, MIT-Eurasia, and SSP.
Register for this online event now!
calendar.mit.edu/event/a-conv...
Register for this online event now!
calendar.mit.edu/event/a-conv...
“For international relations and security studies scholars, the continued reluctance by nuclear-armed states to employ their arsenals – even when fighting and losing major wars – remains a significant puzzle,” write @laurensukin.bsky.social, @herzogsm.bsky.social, @smetanamichal.bsky.social, & (1/2)
November 20, 2025 at 6:47 PM
“For international relations and security studies scholars, the continued reluctance by nuclear-armed states to employ their arsenals – even when fighting and losing major wars – remains a significant puzzle,” write @laurensukin.bsky.social, @herzogsm.bsky.social, @smetanamichal.bsky.social, & (1/2)
Recently SSP hosted the Honorable Kathleen Hicks, former Deputy Secretary of Defense & SSP alum, for a fireside chat. Dr. Hicks covered a range of issues including the future of warfare, China’s nuclear modernization, & civil-military relations.
Thank you, Dr. Hicks, for an engaging conversation!
Thank you, Dr. Hicks, for an engaging conversation!
November 19, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Recently SSP hosted the Honorable Kathleen Hicks, former Deputy Secretary of Defense & SSP alum, for a fireside chat. Dr. Hicks covered a range of issues including the future of warfare, China’s nuclear modernization, & civil-military relations.
Thank you, Dr. Hicks, for an engaging conversation!
Thank you, Dr. Hicks, for an engaging conversation!
SSP faculty member Richard Nielsen was named faculty director of the MIT-MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Program. Nielsen’s field of expertise includes Middle East politics, international relations, religion, gender, and political violence.
Congratulations, Rich!
Congratulations, Rich!
November 18, 2025 at 9:45 PM
SSP faculty member Richard Nielsen was named faculty director of the MIT-MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Program. Nielsen’s field of expertise includes Middle East politics, international relations, religion, gender, and political violence.
Congratulations, Rich!
Congratulations, Rich!
In tomorrow’s Wednesday Seminar, Jeffrey Rathke, president of the American-German Institute, discusses recent transformations of German Security and defense policy.
📡Bookmark the livestream: https://youtube.com/live/UMqxoBsKT7w?feature=share
📡Bookmark the livestream: https://youtube.com/live/UMqxoBsKT7w?feature=share
November 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
In tomorrow’s Wednesday Seminar, Jeffrey Rathke, president of the American-German Institute, discusses recent transformations of German Security and defense policy.
📡Bookmark the livestream: https://youtube.com/live/UMqxoBsKT7w?feature=share
📡Bookmark the livestream: https://youtube.com/live/UMqxoBsKT7w?feature=share
Thank you, Rebeccah Heinrichs, for your discussion on “Deterring Two Nuclear Peers and the New Consensus” during last week’s Wednesday Seminar. And thanks to Vipin Narang for guest hosting this thoughtful dialogue.
ICYMI catch up with conversation with the recorded stream youtube.com/live/7MjY8qx...
ICYMI catch up with conversation with the recorded stream youtube.com/live/7MjY8qx...
November 17, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Thank you, Rebeccah Heinrichs, for your discussion on “Deterring Two Nuclear Peers and the New Consensus” during last week’s Wednesday Seminar. And thanks to Vipin Narang for guest hosting this thoughtful dialogue.
ICYMI catch up with conversation with the recorded stream youtube.com/live/7MjY8qx...
ICYMI catch up with conversation with the recorded stream youtube.com/live/7MjY8qx...
Applications are still open for the 2026-27 Stanton Nuclear Security Fellows.
We are looking for the next generation of thought leaders in nuclear security by supporting research that will advance policy-relevant understanding of the subject.
Information & application: https://bit.ly/49pFR0S
We are looking for the next generation of thought leaders in nuclear security by supporting research that will advance policy-relevant understanding of the subject.
Information & application: https://bit.ly/49pFR0S
November 17, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Applications are still open for the 2026-27 Stanton Nuclear Security Fellows.
We are looking for the next generation of thought leaders in nuclear security by supporting research that will advance policy-relevant understanding of the subject.
Information & application: https://bit.ly/49pFR0S
We are looking for the next generation of thought leaders in nuclear security by supporting research that will advance policy-relevant understanding of the subject.
Information & application: https://bit.ly/49pFR0S
SSP faculty member and Wargaming Lab co-director Erik Lin-Greenberg’s new book “The Remote Revolution: Drones and Modern Statecraft” studies drone use and its impact on military and state action.
Read more about Lin-Greenberg’s new book in MIT News: news.mit.edu/2025/how-dro...
Read more about Lin-Greenberg’s new book in MIT News: news.mit.edu/2025/how-dro...
November 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
SSP faculty member and Wargaming Lab co-director Erik Lin-Greenberg’s new book “The Remote Revolution: Drones and Modern Statecraft” studies drone use and its impact on military and state action.
Read more about Lin-Greenberg’s new book in MIT News: news.mit.edu/2025/how-dro...
Read more about Lin-Greenberg’s new book in MIT News: news.mit.edu/2025/how-dro...
In our upcoming Wednesday Seminar, Jeffrey Rathke discusses recent transformations of German Security & defense policy, focusing on changes under the Merz government & the ongoing challenges facing the German armed forces.
📡Bookmark the livestream
ssp.mit.edu/events/2025/...
@amgerinst.bsky.social
📡Bookmark the livestream
ssp.mit.edu/events/2025/...
@amgerinst.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 6:44 PM
In our upcoming Wednesday Seminar, Jeffrey Rathke discusses recent transformations of German Security & defense policy, focusing on changes under the Merz government & the ongoing challenges facing the German armed forces.
📡Bookmark the livestream
ssp.mit.edu/events/2025/...
@amgerinst.bsky.social
📡Bookmark the livestream
ssp.mit.edu/events/2025/...
@amgerinst.bsky.social
The Security Studies Program at MIT invites post-doctoral or junior faculty scholars of European security to apply for a one-year residential fellowship, the European Security Policy Fellow, for the 2026-27 academic year.
Info + application: https://ssp.mit.edu/about/fellowships/european-security
Info + application: https://ssp.mit.edu/about/fellowships/european-security
November 14, 2025 at 2:20 PM
The Security Studies Program at MIT invites post-doctoral or junior faculty scholars of European security to apply for a one-year residential fellowship, the European Security Policy Fellow, for the 2026-27 academic year.
Info + application: https://ssp.mit.edu/about/fellowships/european-security
Info + application: https://ssp.mit.edu/about/fellowships/european-security
SSP is honored to share that @usjf.bsky.social has named its annual dissertation award after MIT professor of political science Richard Samuels.The Richard J. Samuels Dissertation Award in Japanese Studies recognizes excellence in social sciences research on Japan.
@mitpolisci.bsky.social
@mitpolisci.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
SSP is honored to share that @usjf.bsky.social has named its annual dissertation award after MIT professor of political science Richard Samuels.The Richard J. Samuels Dissertation Award in Japanese Studies recognizes excellence in social sciences research on Japan.
@mitpolisci.bsky.social
@mitpolisci.bsky.social
🍟Spend your lunchtime with us!
In tomorrow's Wednesday Seminar Rebeccah Heinrichs discusses the state of the global nuclear strategic balance, and changing patterns in force posture and nuclear strategy in the 21st century.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/7MjY8qxy8rM?feature=share
In tomorrow's Wednesday Seminar Rebeccah Heinrichs discusses the state of the global nuclear strategic balance, and changing patterns in force posture and nuclear strategy in the 21st century.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/7MjY8qxy8rM?feature=share
November 11, 2025 at 4:59 PM
🍟Spend your lunchtime with us!
In tomorrow's Wednesday Seminar Rebeccah Heinrichs discusses the state of the global nuclear strategic balance, and changing patterns in force posture and nuclear strategy in the 21st century.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/7MjY8qxy8rM?feature=share
In tomorrow's Wednesday Seminar Rebeccah Heinrichs discusses the state of the global nuclear strategic balance, and changing patterns in force posture and nuclear strategy in the 21st century.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/7MjY8qxy8rM?feature=share
“Madman behavior creates a reassurance problem. If a leader is consistently inconsistent, erratically changing tactics and reneging to squeeze out further concessions, negotiating partners have no incentive to concede,” write @proftalmadge.bsky.social and @samseitz.bsky.social via @lawfaremedia.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:07 PM
“Madman behavior creates a reassurance problem. If a leader is consistently inconsistent, erratically changing tactics and reneging to squeeze out further concessions, negotiating partners have no incentive to concede,” write @proftalmadge.bsky.social and @samseitz.bsky.social via @lawfaremedia.org
In our upcoming Wednesday Seminar, Rebeccah Heinrichs discusses the state of the global nuclear strategic balance, and changing patterns in force posture and nuclear strategy in the 21st century.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/7MjY8qxy8rM?feature=share
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/7MjY8qxy8rM?feature=share
November 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
In our upcoming Wednesday Seminar, Rebeccah Heinrichs discusses the state of the global nuclear strategic balance, and changing patterns in force posture and nuclear strategy in the 21st century.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/7MjY8qxy8rM?feature=share
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/7MjY8qxy8rM?feature=share
Our nuclear security experts weigh in on the fidelity of Netflix’s “A House of Dynamite”, directed by Kathryn Bigelow.
🎧Full discussion with the Center for Nuclear Security Policy’s @pranayrvaddi.bsky.social, Austin Long, and Vipin Narang: strategicsimplicity.substack.com/p/our-reacti...
🎧Full discussion with the Center for Nuclear Security Policy’s @pranayrvaddi.bsky.social, Austin Long, and Vipin Narang: strategicsimplicity.substack.com/p/our-reacti...
November 3, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Our nuclear security experts weigh in on the fidelity of Netflix’s “A House of Dynamite”, directed by Kathryn Bigelow.
🎧Full discussion with the Center for Nuclear Security Policy’s @pranayrvaddi.bsky.social, Austin Long, and Vipin Narang: strategicsimplicity.substack.com/p/our-reacti...
🎧Full discussion with the Center for Nuclear Security Policy’s @pranayrvaddi.bsky.social, Austin Long, and Vipin Narang: strategicsimplicity.substack.com/p/our-reacti...
Thank you, Rochelle Terman, for sharing your research topic “The Nation in Our Minds: Historical Representations of Countries in Google Books” at last week’s Wednesday Seminar. And thanks to Rich Nielsen for guest hosting this week’s talk!
📺watch: https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
📺watch: https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
November 3, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Thank you, Rochelle Terman, for sharing your research topic “The Nation in Our Minds: Historical Representations of Countries in Google Books” at last week’s Wednesday Seminar. And thanks to Rich Nielsen for guest hosting this week’s talk!
📺watch: https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
📺watch: https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
On October 30, SSP's Wargaming Lab (WGL) hosted an interdisciplinary workshop, Warg{AI}ming: AI and the Art and Science of Wargaming. This conference brought together scholars and practitioners who are using or designing simulations and wargames that incorporate artificial intelligence.
October 31, 2025 at 5:27 PM
On October 30, SSP's Wargaming Lab (WGL) hosted an interdisciplinary workshop, Warg{AI}ming: AI and the Art and Science of Wargaming. This conference brought together scholars and practitioners who are using or designing simulations and wargames that incorporate artificial intelligence.
What can we infer from China’s overall strategic intentions? SSP Director M. Taylor Fravel and Associate Professor Caitlin Talmadge rejoin the Strategic Simplicity podcast to continue their discussion on China.
🎧Full pod: https://bit.ly/4ofvfGl
@fravel.bsky.social @proftalmadge.bsky.social
🎧Full pod: https://bit.ly/4ofvfGl
@fravel.bsky.social @proftalmadge.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
What can we infer from China’s overall strategic intentions? SSP Director M. Taylor Fravel and Associate Professor Caitlin Talmadge rejoin the Strategic Simplicity podcast to continue their discussion on China.
🎧Full pod: https://bit.ly/4ofvfGl
@fravel.bsky.social @proftalmadge.bsky.social
🎧Full pod: https://bit.ly/4ofvfGl
@fravel.bsky.social @proftalmadge.bsky.social
🍔Spend your lunchtime with us!
In tomorrow’s Wednesday Seminar, Rochelle Terman discusses The Nation in Our Minds: Historical Representations of Countries in Google Books.
🗓️10/29 at noon ET
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
In tomorrow’s Wednesday Seminar, Rochelle Terman discusses The Nation in Our Minds: Historical Representations of Countries in Google Books.
🗓️10/29 at noon ET
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
October 28, 2025 at 12:57 PM
🍔Spend your lunchtime with us!
In tomorrow’s Wednesday Seminar, Rochelle Terman discusses The Nation in Our Minds: Historical Representations of Countries in Google Books.
🗓️10/29 at noon ET
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
In tomorrow’s Wednesday Seminar, Rochelle Terman discusses The Nation in Our Minds: Historical Representations of Countries in Google Books.
🗓️10/29 at noon ET
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
Join us online tomorrow for the Axis of Upheaval: How Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea Seek to Change the World.
🗓️Tuesday, 10/28 | 4-5pm ET
Register now:
calendar.mit.edu/event/the-ax...
@mit-cis.bsky.social
🗓️Tuesday, 10/28 | 4-5pm ET
Register now:
calendar.mit.edu/event/the-ax...
@mit-cis.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Join us online tomorrow for the Axis of Upheaval: How Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea Seek to Change the World.
🗓️Tuesday, 10/28 | 4-5pm ET
Register now:
calendar.mit.edu/event/the-ax...
@mit-cis.bsky.social
🗓️Tuesday, 10/28 | 4-5pm ET
Register now:
calendar.mit.edu/event/the-ax...
@mit-cis.bsky.social
In our upcoming Wednesday Seminar Rochelle Terman examines the long-term trends in public perceptions of global affairs and international relations through over a century of text in British and US print culture.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
October 24, 2025 at 7:15 PM
In our upcoming Wednesday Seminar Rochelle Terman examines the long-term trends in public perceptions of global affairs and international relations through over a century of text in British and US print culture.
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
📡Bookmark the livestream
https://youtube.com/live/JQJ0NaGBPk0?feature=share
Thank you, Michael Horowitz, for sharing your research on autonomous nuclear systems during this week’s Wednesday Seminar.
📼ICYMI you can catch up on the conversation with the recorded stream:
https://youtube.com/live/TQKP0RuCZ_I?feature=share
@mchorowitz.bsky.social
📼ICYMI you can catch up on the conversation with the recorded stream:
https://youtube.com/live/TQKP0RuCZ_I?feature=share
@mchorowitz.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Thank you, Michael Horowitz, for sharing your research on autonomous nuclear systems during this week’s Wednesday Seminar.
📼ICYMI you can catch up on the conversation with the recorded stream:
https://youtube.com/live/TQKP0RuCZ_I?feature=share
@mchorowitz.bsky.social
📼ICYMI you can catch up on the conversation with the recorded stream:
https://youtube.com/live/TQKP0RuCZ_I?feature=share
@mchorowitz.bsky.social
In tomorrow’s Wednesday Seminar, Michael Horowitz will address the question: Are nuclear weapons useful for coercion, and, if so, what factors increase the credibility and effectiveness of nuclear threats?
Livestream 10/22:
https://youtube.com/live/TQKP0RuCZ_I?feature=share
@mchorowitz.bsky.social
Livestream 10/22:
https://youtube.com/live/TQKP0RuCZ_I?feature=share
@mchorowitz.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM
In tomorrow’s Wednesday Seminar, Michael Horowitz will address the question: Are nuclear weapons useful for coercion, and, if so, what factors increase the credibility and effectiveness of nuclear threats?
Livestream 10/22:
https://youtube.com/live/TQKP0RuCZ_I?feature=share
@mchorowitz.bsky.social
Livestream 10/22:
https://youtube.com/live/TQKP0RuCZ_I?feature=share
@mchorowitz.bsky.social
Join us online this week as the Center for Nuclear Security Policy hosts a conference that explores the technological competition between nuclear retaliatory capabilities and damage-limitation capabilities.
🗓️10/24 | 9am-4pm ET
Learn more, view the full schedule, and register:
https://bit.ly/4nfpFCA
🗓️10/24 | 9am-4pm ET
Learn more, view the full schedule, and register:
https://bit.ly/4nfpFCA
October 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Join us online this week as the Center for Nuclear Security Policy hosts a conference that explores the technological competition between nuclear retaliatory capabilities and damage-limitation capabilities.
🗓️10/24 | 9am-4pm ET
Learn more, view the full schedule, and register:
https://bit.ly/4nfpFCA
🗓️10/24 | 9am-4pm ET
Learn more, view the full schedule, and register:
https://bit.ly/4nfpFCA
Mike Albertson, formerly of the NSC, DoD, and State Department, joins @pranayrvaddi.bsky.social, CNSP senior research fellow, to discuss recent happenings in the US-Russia arms control relationship.
🎧Listen to the full Strategic Simplicity pod: strategicsimplicity.substack.com/p/responding...
🎧Listen to the full Strategic Simplicity pod: strategicsimplicity.substack.com/p/responding...
October 20, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Mike Albertson, formerly of the NSC, DoD, and State Department, joins @pranayrvaddi.bsky.social, CNSP senior research fellow, to discuss recent happenings in the US-Russia arms control relationship.
🎧Listen to the full Strategic Simplicity pod: strategicsimplicity.substack.com/p/responding...
🎧Listen to the full Strategic Simplicity pod: strategicsimplicity.substack.com/p/responding...