FEMA’s Post

In the newest #ArmsControlToday, Nickolas Roth writes on "Recalibrating the Path to Nuclear Security." Read his cover feature at ArmsControl.org/Today.

With the future of nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament in the balance, states-parties to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty are persisting in efforts to preserve the regime, writes research assistant Shizuka Kuramitsu in Arms Control Today. #NPTPrepCom #armscontrol https://lnkd.in/eQYdS7vj

The learning experience through self-paced theoretical modules and exams, live expert webinars, skill-building workshops where we actively engaged with each other has been nothing but amazing! Still, I can't overstate how important all the networking with other young people (although I'm surely on the younger, and less experienced, half) is being for me. The discussions about disarmament are usually the most common, but I've also caught myself following the Pakistani elections, Brazilian rule of Law scandals, learning about data protection, and overall been inspired by some of my colleagues' life path so far. Probably won't have time and opportunities to talk with all the other 99, but every new connection I've made has been a gift, which really shows how capable the selection process was and keeps me grateful for the opportunity that United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and Japan -The Government of Japan have granted us. Indeed, the online module is getting rapidly closer to its end, and I'm already feel nostalgic in foresight about being a part of the cohort. Gladly there will be more opportunities to get involved, both for those selected for the study-visit and everyone who will be a mentor for the next cohort of Youth Leaders for a World without Nuclear Weapons. #peace #unitednations #unoda #learning #disarmament #disarmament4youth #portugal #youth #nuclearweapons

In this week's Naval War College studies, we're learning about the trade-offs involved in ship building and supply & logistics. There are always questions about where a ship is - navigation has never been perfect, even in the days of GPS and what if the GPS goes out? Where is it going? How long will it take to get there? How long until it's next drink (refueling). Fuel is one of the most critical issues and nuclear powered ships have a distinct advantage in this area. There is no substitute for presence and nuclear-powered aircraft carriers remain the most survivable and versatile airfields in the world, while nuclear-powered fast attack and large payload submarines hold adversaries at risk in both contested seas and open oceans. Today, the Navy operates 99 reactors and 79 nuclear-powered warships – including the largest, most capable warship ever built, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). https://lnkd.in/enffxvUm

The antipodeans Sir Ernest Rutherford "father of nuclear physics" and Sir Mark Oliphant, "Opposer of the fission bomb" were the first experimental demonstrators of nuclear fusion. Why then are the Australian Government and the Federal Opposition not working to get it developed in Australia and bring it back home? New Zealand has, so why not Australia? Interesting articles about Nuclear and I know you haven't looked at Fusion. So let's look at the nuclear or Fission option versus Fusion 1. Fission (Nuclear) Not able to be licenced. https://lnkd.in/gbm2t5uU 2. Authorities have the power to grant licenses for fusion, which is not explicitly covered by the Nuclear Act or the ARPANSA definition. https://lnkd.in/gjKFABpy The above ARPANSA link defines nuclear as fission—no mention of Fusion. 3. A fission (Nuclear)reactor without fissile fuel is a building. 4. A fusion reactor without fissile fuel is a fusion reactor building 5, Fissile (Nuclear) fuel availability and the future cost is a concern, especially for economists and users Dittmar, M. (2011). The End of Cheap Uranium. ArXiv. /abs/1106.3617 Even the UN has identified this, so why does the Fission(Nuclear) industry persist in denying its death like fossil fuels https://lnkd.in/gze5rwpr 6. Should the focus in Australia be on nuclear fission advancement or the promotion of fusion technology? 7, Fission (Nuclear) is only at present in 39 countries out of 189. 8. Is Dutton doing a Menzies and wanting a loophole to get fission (Nuclear) weapons to start with for the subs? 9. Australia still has no high-level radiation waste storage facility 10. Helion Fusion has committed to having its fusion version working in 2028 11. The FIA (Fusion Industry Association) has postulated that commercial power fusion will be available in the 2030s. 12. In its fusion conference report in 2023, the IAEA postulated that all International nuclear (Fission) Laws like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty do not consider fusion, so it seems it can be built in Australia now. 13. Fusion is also being developed "Small Modular Fusion Reactors" like Zap Energy and Avalanche Energy. 14. HB11 and the UNSW Tokamak project have positioned Australia prominently in the trillion-dollar international fusion industry. Instead of relying on fission with a limited lifetime, wouldn't it be preferable to support Australian renewables, batteries, and hydrogen energy generators and back them up with a fusion power plant? This would eliminate the traditional waste problem while still providing medical isotopes and advancements in medical technology like MRIs. Let's focus on creating a sustainable future for Australia instead of perpetuating pollution and leading to an energy crisis. https://lnkd.in/ekakyifA

More great news on progress of FY25 #NDAA 10 U.S.C. § 333 revision [Senate version] Critical update will expand the scope of #IrregularWarfare BPC for strategic competition—absolutely required to assist partners maintain #sovereignty against adversary #GrayZone coercion & provide layer of irregular #deterrence to complement conventional and nuclear capabilities. https://lnkd.in/eanyBGFG Mick Crnkovich , Richard Tilley , Kevin B. , Nick Urbonowicz , Katie Breckenridge Crombe , Kaley Scholl , Doug Livermore , Joint Special Operations University , Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) , Irregular Warfare Initiative , Kyle Atwell , Zachary Griffiths , Michael Moad , James Micciche , Jan K. Gleiman (Ken) , Cole Livieratos , Rick Chersicla , David Maxwell , Arnel David , Jahara "FRANKY" Matisek (PhD) , Renanah Miles Joyce , Rick Manley , United States Senate Committee on Armed Services

As AUKUS expands to the Western Australian suburb of Rockingham, concerns have been raised surrounding infrastructure, schools, and healthcare won't meet the area's population boom. The suburb is forecast to grow more than 60 per cent over the next 20 years and by 2027.  More than 700 submariners and their families are expected to move to the area as Western Australia hosts a rotational presence of nuclear-power submarines. https://lnkd.in/g3avhgy2

The news around on-site energy production continues, this time in the Federal sector. Following previous efforts by the Air Force and Army, the Navy has issued an RFI to get input on private companies building and operating co-located nuclear facilities at several Naval facilities in the mid-Atlantic, including: Virginia Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana (VA) Naval Support Activity (NSA) South Potomac Dahlgren, VA and NSF Indian Head, MD) Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Yorktown (VA) Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico (VA) Maryland NAS Patuxent River (MD) North Carolina Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point (NC) MCB Camp Lejeune (NC) There are several companies on the market looking provide these services, many of which are using advanced reactor technology. However, the biggest challenges are commercial, not technical. What are the terms of the PPA and how do they manage the risk to both parties during construction and O&M? How does the pricing and length of the PPA impact the ability of the provider to maintain their debt service? These are tough issues that companies are dealing with. At Black & Veatch, we help clients sort through what their best options are for procuring on-site energy. Reach out if you'd like to learn more. Charlie Khan Heidi Perham Singh Mohan Tony Grayson

the stability-instability paradox suggests that as nuclear deterrence reduces the risk of large-scale wars between nuclear-armed states, it can also embolden these states to engage in more aggressive behavior at the conventional and sub-conventional levels, leading to an increase in localized conflicts and instability. This dynamic continues to shape modern geopolitical dynamics and military strategies.