This week, Elisa is joined by John A. Lauder—former CIA official, arms control negotiator, and current Senior Fellow at the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control—to examine the tension between nuclear innovation and nonproliferation. From the postwar promise of Atoms for Peace to today’s AI-fueled energy demands, they unpack the rising interest in small reactors, mounting concerns within the nonproliferation community, and the difficult policy decisions facing U.S. leaders in the years ahead.

John A. Lauder is a Senior Fellow at the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control and is a cofounder of the James A. Garfield Center for Public Leadership at Hiram College.

References:

Atoms for Peace

In the race for critical minerals, legal frameworks are becoming as important as supply chains. This week, Elisa is joined by Brian Egan, Partner at Skadden and former Legal Adviser at the State Department and National Security Council, to unpack the legal complexities behind securing minerals from foreign—and often unfriendly—nations. From sanctions and treaty negotiations to private sector deals and foreign investment, they explore how lawyers across government and industry are navigating national security risks in today’s resource-driven economy.

Brian Egan is Partner in National Security, CFIUS, and International Trade at Skadden

References:

H.R.1042 - Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977

NSLT Ep. 205, "Seabed Mining as a National Security Threat: The Laws of the Sea with Matt Gianni (Part 1)

In Part 2 of their two-part discussion, Elisa and Dr. Koroush Shirvan of MIT’s Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering explore how small-scale reactors compare to other green alternatives, why the U.S. continues to trail global leaders, and what policy and infrastructure gaps must be addressed to move forward. They also discuss rising energy costs at home—and what it will take to keep nuclear power affordable as demand grows.

Dr. Koroush Shirvan is the Atlantic Richfield Career Development Professor in Energy Studies

References:

VIDEO: “How Does Nuclear Energy Work? – Presentation by Professor Koroush Shirvan (MIT).” YouTube, uploaded by the Australian Nuclear Association, 2024.

Project Pele Overview