nuclear weapons Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Russian vs. U.S. Statements on Nuclear Testing: Motives, Legal Fallout, Third-Party Positions, and Escalation Risks

Divergence in posture: Washington has kept to a zero-yield moratorium since 1992 while expanding subcritical(non-explosive) experiments to steward the stockpile; Moscow de-ratified the CTBT in 2023 and, after new U.S. political signals this week, has ordered proposals on…

November 6, 2025China, nuclear weapons, Russia, USA

National Security Nonproliferation

Undoing the Agreement: How Iran and Russia Are Redefining the Nuclear Order

On October 20, 2025, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Russia declared its readiness to expand cooperation with Iran in all areas, emphasizing that Iran is already a strategic partner.…

October 21, 2025Iran, nuclear weapons, Russia, USA

Geopolitics National Security Nonproliferation

The standoff over the New START arms-control treaty underscores a serious threat to the United States from Russia.

With treaty visibility gone, allies relying on the U.S. nuclear guarantee face more uncertainty, while the United States must budget for hedge capabilities and monitoring alternatives (national technical means, open-source,…

September 22, 2025nuclear weapons, Russia, USA

Energy Geoeconomics Intelligence ops National Security Nonproliferation

From Delays to Dependence: Understanding the Challenges of Russian NPPs

While Russian nuclear power projects offer benefits such as financing and rapid deployment, they come with significant risks that must be carefully evaluated. Countries engaging with Russian nuclear energy providers…

January 22, 2025nuclear weapons, Rosatom, Russia

Geopolitics National Security Nonproliferation

Assessing the Likelihood of a Repeat Deployment of the “Oreshnik” ICBM

Russia's deployment of the "Oreshnik" intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in Belarus is poised to heighten political and informational tensions across Europe. For Lukashenko, this marks a raising of the stakes…

December 10, 2024Belarus, nuclear weapons, Russia

Conflict Geopolitics National Security Nonproliferation

Russia’s Nuclear Blackmail as a Tool to Pressure the West

Russia's Nuclear Blackmail as a Tool to Pressure the West Since the conclusion of the U.S. presidential elections, Russia has continued to escalate global tensions, leveraging the threat of nuclear…

November 27, 2024nuclear weapons, Russia

Geopolitics National Security Propaganda and Disinformation Psyops

Hungarian Prime Minister Joins Russian Efforts to Interfere in U.S. Elections

Moscow is once again attempting to sway the outcome of U.S. elections, this time employing information operations with the help of allied leaders. The Kremlin's narrative warns that a loss…

November 5, 2024Hungary, nuclear weapons, Russia, USA

Geopolitics National Security Nonproliferation Psyops

Failed Satan II Missile Test Heightens Concerns About Russia’s Nuclear Arsenal

The unsuccessful test of Russia’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) "Sarmat" (also known as Satan II) in September of this year underscores earlier assessments that the state of Russia's nuclear arsenal…

September 27, 2024nuclear weapons, Russia, Ukraine

Corruption National Security Nonproliferation

Cooperation with Rosatom is toxic and threatening to the national security of countries.

Russia promotes initiatives and resolutions beneficial to itself, and uses nuclear blackmail to increase the escalationsince its rotating presidency in the UN Security Council in July 2024. If in 2014 the Kremlin talked about the possibility of a nuclear war in case of pressure on Moscow,…

July 10, 2024nuclear weapons, Rosatom

National Security Nonproliferation War crimes

Russia looking for reason to launch nuclear testing and total mobilization

The Kremlin is most likely to gear up for provocations followed by radiation poisoning, according to some reports coming from Russia. We've seen regular RFF9903 Moscow-Sarov-Novaya Zemlya flights by An-148-100…

August 18, 2023nuclear weapons, Rosatom, Russia, Ukraine

nuclear weapons