Nickolas Roth

Analyst mind, advocate disposition. Senior Director @NTI_WMD, Research Fellow @CISSMaryland. Previously @ManagingtheAtom, @StimsonCenter. Opinions my own.

[Nickolas Roth @Nickolas_Roth]

The Trump admin is proposing a 7% cut to @NNSANews nonproliferation programs—diverting funds to likely unnecessary nuclear weapons work. Doesn't sound like much, until you see the long term trend...

[IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ @iaeaorg]

The IAEA has been informed by the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) that the nearby Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP) - whose switchyard helps deliver electricity to the ZNPP - has been under heavy attack this morning.

The IAEA team at the ZNPP saw light smoke coming from the direction of the ZTPP and heard the sound of military activity.

The incident raises serious concern about the ZNPP’s sole remaining power line, which in recent weeks has been disconnected several times, leaving the plant entirely reliant on emergency diesel generators for the electricity it needs to cool its six reactors and avoid the threat of a nuclear accident.

For now, the power line is still connected. ZTPP staff are currently sheltering due to the attack, according to the information.

DG @rafaelmgrossi expresses deep concern about the reported attack and says it must stop immediately, to avoid the danger of an extended loss of power incident at the ZNPP.

[Nickolas Roth @Nickolas_Roth]

Thank you to @OAS_official @UN_OCT for the opportunity to speak yesterday about the important role of civil society in strengthening nuclear security worldwide.

[Kelsey Davenport @KelseyDav]

Good to see reference to the IAEA’s involvement in addressing the stockpile of HEU. Properly accounting for the enriched uranium is critical.

Hopefully resumption of safeguards-including Modified Code 3.1-is also included in the MoU. The sooner the IAEA gets back in the better.

[Laura Holgate🌻 @LauraSHHolgate]

What a pleasure to join Ariane and Christine for this timely conversation about the current state of nuclear weapons, nonproliferation, and the treaties and agreements that help manage nuclear risks! Take a look👇👇👇! #RevCon26 #nuclear

[Ali Alkis @AliAlkisTR]

1/ I’m pleased to share that my latest piece, “Nuclear Security Training: Standards and Resilience Required,” has been published in the new @NTI_WMD edited volume: “Emerging Leaders Offer Bold Ideas for Strengthening Nuclear Security in a Changing World”

https://t.co/HhpC9EmOyJ

[Nickolas Roth @Nickolas_Roth]

Congratulations to @m_knight7, @AliAlkisTR, Simon Adu, Jasmine Auda, @rusnucsecurity, @DDolzikova, and Shorena Lortkipanidze on their outstanding contributions to @NTI_WMD’s new volume, Rising to the Challenge: Emerging Leaders in Nuclear Security!

[NTI @NTI_WMD]

Nuclear security depends not just on policy frameworks and institutions, but on the people who maintain, adapt, and improve them over time. 🧵 ⤵️

[NTI @NTI_WMD]

Learn more: https://t.co/3Kbi5pkedK

[Darya Dolzikova @DDolzikova]

Pleased to have had the chance to contribute to this stellar @NTI_WMD edited volume on nuclear security challenges, with an article on “Reducing the Coercive Salience of Military Threats Against Civilian Nuclear Infrastructure”.

I wrote the piece well before the current war in the Middle East but it tackles issues of direct relevance to the conflict - namely, states’ use of threats to attack nuclear power plants (as distinct from actually carrying out such attacks) as a coercive tactic.

You can read my piece, as well as excellent analysis on a range of other nuclear security issues by a stellar cast of contributors, at the link below.

(Kudos to @Nickolas_Roth, @scottroecker and team for your hard work pulling this together!)

https://t.co/fN6RISwiuS

[Nickolas Roth @Nickolas_Roth]

My news alerts turn up strange things sometimes...https://t.co/wxEuQP5DjI

[Nickolas Roth @Nickolas_Roth]

The international community should use this moment to:
-Strengthen nuclear security resilience and sustainability
-Address drone (and cyber) threats
-Modernize @iaeaorg guidance
-Reinforce norms against attacks on civilian nuclear infrastructure...
before something worse happens.

[Nickolas Roth @Nickolas_Roth]

The reported drone attack near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE this weekend is the latest wake-up call for the international community.

Even if no radiological release occurred, attacks on or near civilian nuclear infrastructure create enormous risks.

[Nickolas Roth @Nickolas_Roth]

Important point: the fact that Barakah reportedly continued operating safely is good news. But successful consequence management should not distract from the seriousness of the precedent: another civilian nuclear facility was attacked during a regional conflict.

[Nickolas Roth @Nickolas_Roth]

https://t.co/ABoX9mzh8h

[IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ @iaeaorg]

IAEA has been informed of a major increase in drone activity near Ukrainian NPP sites this week, with more than 160 UAVs recorded flying in the vicinity of the South Ukraine, Chornobyl, and Rivne NPP sites on 13-14 May.

While the IAEA’s teams report no direct impact on nuclear safety at these sites, IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi expresses deep concern about such military activities near NPPs and reiterates need to fully respect the 7 indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during the conflict. DG Grossi also calls again for maximum restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident.