Nuclear Security Studies

Policy Intensive: Nuclear Security

This one-day, certificate-granting course taught key issues related to contemporary nuclear security and missile defense policy that are relevant for a range of professionals and students. The course was offered in person on the RAND School’s Washington Campus on June 5, 2025.

Master of National Security Policy

Focused on the tools of defense policy analysis, taught by RAND policy experts, and offered in both Washington and Santa Monica, the RAND School's Master of National Security Policy lets you jump-start your career in as little as 9 months. Generous scholarships available.

The Effects of High-Altitude Nuclear Explosions on Non-Military Satellites

To further understanding of nuclear explosions’ potential risks to satellites, especially those in low earth orbit where most satellites reside, this report summarizes publicly available literature on the effects that high-altitude nuclear explosions in the space and near-space environments could have on nonmilitary satellites.

Mar 3, 2025

Keeping a U.S.-China Conflict Under the Nuclear Threshold

Given Beijing's secure second-strike nuclear capability, the United States must reconsider its approach to a conflict with China over Taiwan. It must be prepared for nuclear escalation and place more emphasis on managing those risks.

Nov 15, 2024

Assessing Global Catastrophic and Existential Risks

What are the risks associated with artificial intelligence, asteroid and comet impacts, sudden and severe climate changes, nuclear war, severe pandemics, and supervolcanoes? And what is the likelihood of each threat?

Oct 30, 2024

Deterrence Under Uncertainty: Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Warfare

Using insights from computer science, this report evaluates how AI could make nuclear war winnable, and whether that possibility is likely. Detailed chapters explain how the landscape of nuclear deterrence is changing and debunk the myths of machine intelligence and nuclear weapons.

Dec 5, 2023

Unraveling Entanglement: Policy Implications of Using Non-Dedicated Systems for Nuclear Command and Control

Recent arguments have emphasized the increased risk of inadvertent escalation from integrating and comingling conventional and nuclear command and control (NC2) systems. In this report, the authors argue that these concerns are overstated. However, they also point out that certain risks associated with using non-dedicated systems for NC2 warrant more-focused attention.

Mar 9, 2023