Podcasts
Sept 4, 2012: Crisis in Syria
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Syria has one of the most sophisticated chemical weapons programs in the world, and is suspected to have an active biological weapons program. Additionally, there are reports that Syrian rebels have acquired MANPADS, which are surface-to-air missiles fired by an individual or a small team. Mr. Charles Blair, Senior Fellow on State and Non-State Threats, and Mr. Matt Schroeder, Director of the Arms Sales Monitoring Project, discuss the crisis in Syria and the implications of rebels acquiring and using chemical weapons and MANPADS. Watch the video below or on YouTube here.
June 25, 2012: Sanctions and Nonproliferation in Iran and North Korea
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:19 — 9.8 MB)
Mr. Daniel Wertz, Program Officer at the National Committee on North Korea, discusses the similarities and differences in sanctions against North Korea and Iran, the relationship between U.S. and UN sanctions, and China’s role as a trading partner with both countries.
June 3, 2012: Biological Weapons and the Virtual Biosecurity Center
Anthrax. Smallpox. Plague. We are familiar with these potential weapons of mass destruction, but how do they differ from other WMDs? Kelsey Gregg, Manager of the Biosecurity Program and Virtual Biosecurity Center, discusses biological weapons and how they differ from other types of weapons. Gregg discusses the VBC, a ‘one stop shop’ for biosecurity information, education, best practices, and collaboration among government agencies, law enforcement, academia and non-governmental organizations.
Mar 26, 2012: 2012 Nuclear Security Summit
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:45 — 16.4MB)
The 2012 Nuclear Security Summit is currently underway in Seoul, South Korea, where 53 heads of state and international organizations have come together to discuss international cooperative measures to protect nuclear materials and facilities from terrorist groups. FAS President Dr. Charles Ferguson discusses policies implemented as a result of the first summit in 2010, the significance of South Korea hosting the summit and main goals of the 2012 summit. Additionally, Dr. Ferguson discusses the security of radioactive materials, which was the subject of a new paper released in March 2012.
Mar 11, 2012: One Year Later- Fukushima and the Future of Nuclear Power
FAS President Charles D. Ferguson talks about the one year anniversary of the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck the northeast coast of Japan. These natural disasters resulted in the crisis at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant. One year later, there are massive amounts of nuclear waste and high levels of radiation, and those citizens who live near the plant have not been able to return to their homes.
Dec 7, 2011: Hans Kristensen and China's Nuclear Arsenal
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Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project, dicusses the status of China's nuclear weapons arsenal. (Duration: 21:28 — 9.9MB)
Dec 2, 2011: Ali Vaez and Iran's Nuclear Program
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Dr. Ali Vaez, Director of the Iran Project, discusses the recent IAEA report on Iran (released November 8, 2011), history of Iran’s relationship with IAEA and Iranian public opinion regarding nuclear pursuits. (Duration: 17:03 — 7.9MB)
Nov 1, 2011: Lindsey Marburger and the FAS Earth Systems Program
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The new edition of “A Conversation With An Expert” features Lindsey Marburger, manager of the Earth Systems Program. Topics discussed include sustainable housing, water security and clean energy investments. To read the podcast transcript, click here (PDF). (Duration: 26:26 — 12.1MB)
Sept 26, 2011: A NUCLEAR-FREE MIRAGE? Obstacles to President Obama’s Goal of a Nuclear Weapons Free World
Charles P. Blair—director of the Terrorism Analysis Project at the Federation of American Scientists—interviewed Federation of American Scientists’ Senior Fellow for Nuclear Policy Dr. Robert Standish Norris about the nuclear policies of the Obama administration—polices that Dr. Norris terms “radical” with regard to their vision of a nuclear weapon free world. (Duration: 37:35 — 17.3MB)
Sep 15, 2011: Learning Technologies in Education
Director of Learning Technologies Program at FAS, Dr. Melanie Stegman, discusses the history of the Learning Technologies Program at FAS, the benefits of using technology such as video games in education, and suggests tools teachers can use to enhance comprehension of STEM topics in curriculum. To read the podcast transcript, click here (PDF). (Duration: 22:21 — 10.2MB)
Aug 9, 2011: Dr. Robert S. Norris Speaks on the 66th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing of Japan
Los Alamos native Charles P. Blair (FAS Director of Terrorism Analysis Project) interviews Dr. Robert Standish Norris, Senior Fellow for Nuclear Policy at FAS about the personalities behind the Manhattan Project, the lasting lessons from the atomic bombings ending World War II, and President Obama’s Nuclear Posture Review. To read the podcast transcript, click here (PDF). (Duration: 35:09 — 16.2MB)
Aug 3, 2011: Anniversary of Hiroshima and State of Nuclear Security
FAS President Dr. Charles Ferguson talks about the anniversary of Hiroshima, the current state of nuclear security, the threat of nuclear terrorism to the international community, and the Fukushima disaster in Japan. To read the podcast transcript, click here (PDF). (Duration: 27:46 — 12.7MB)
Apr 20, 2011: The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in 2011
FAS Member Dr. Pierce Corden discusses the current prospects for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), an assessment of Sen. Jon Kyl’s recent statement about the CTBT, and what we can expect to see in the future from the Obama administration and Congress on the CTBT.
Feb 4, 2011: WikiLeaks
Steve Aftergood talks about the release of records by Wikileaks, the consequences of this release, and other major government secrecy issues in 2010.
Dec 15, 2010: Nuclear Renaissance and International Peace and Security
FAS President Dr. Charles Ferguson shares an overview of his presentation at the 9th annual South Korea-United Nations Joint Conference on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues, the role of civil society in the nuclear disarmament effort, how the recent U.S. political developments affect future international arms control treaties, the likelihood of nuclear energy expansion in the U.S. and public opinion, and the way forward for civil society in the debate surrounding nuclear security.
Nov 16, 2010: Debunking Common Misconceptions About Iran
Ms. Ivanka Barzashka and Dr. Ivan Oelrich, FAS experts on Iran, provide an overview of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the west over the last year, the differences between FAS analysis and the points of view put forward by others in the NGO community and mainstream media, and the biggest common misconception about the fuel deal.
Nov. 16, 2010: Charles Ferguson, A Nuclear Energy Conference
FAS President Dr. Charles Ferguson participated in a conference call with FAS members on his recent article in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, titled “Next customer, please: The risk in conventional arms sales along with nuclear energy deals.” Dr. Ferguson and FAS members discuss certain nuclear energy deals that could result in changing security perceptions and alliances.
Aug 6, 2010: FAS President Acknowledges Hiroshima Devastation on 65th Anniversary
Today is the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city of Hiroshima. In acknowledgment of this historic event, FAS President Dr. Charles D. Ferguson speaks about the current state of nuclear security and the threat of nuclear terrorism to the international community. Topics discussed include an overview of the most urgent nuclear threats facing the international community today, the progress made by the U.S. government in the first half of 2010, and FAS efforts to address nuclear security.
Jun 18, 2010: New Terrorism Analysis Project
Charles Blair, new Director of the FAS Terrorism Analysis Project, talks about the new Terrorism Analysis Project, the most threatening violent non-state actors, the Pakistan neo-Taliban, and the motivations behind a potential nuclear or radiological attack on the U.S. from a violent non-state actor.
Apr 26, 2010: The NPT Conference
Alicia Godsberg, Research Associate for the FAS Strategic Security Program and United Nations Affairs, talks about the upcoming Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, the role of FAS at the United Nations, and the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Mar 8, 2010: Government Secrecy
Steven Aftergood, Director of the FAS Project on Government Secrecy, discusses the Project on Government Secrecy, provides a review of the Obama administration’s approach to transparency, and much more!
Feb 5, 2010: Charles Ferguson and FAS
FAS President Charles Ferguson talks about the strategic short and long term goals of FAS, gives a preview of the new Earth Systems Program, and an explanation of how FAS will cope with the 2010 philanthropy outlook.
Dec 23, 2009: Inaugural FAS Podcast
Listen to the first FAS podcast: “A Conversation With An Expert,” featuring Nishal Mohan, Director of the FAS Biosecurity Program. Topics discussed include current biosecurity projects and bioethics issues.
