Nuclear Security in the Nation’s Capital
About the author: Ian Singer ’22 is an FSI Global Policy Intern at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C. - to most people, the first connotations are obvious: politics, government, more politics. For me however, D.C. is home. Having grown up just outside the city, Washington’s various defining characteristics, both obvious and undetectable, have shaped my world view and identity. Yet coming home for the summer, I continue to find myself immersed in the fabric of the city in novel ways, a testament to all the place has to offer.
Through FSI, I have the unique privilege of working for the Nuclear Threat Initiative, focusing on Scientific and Technological affairs associated with global nuclear security. The Nuclear Threat Initiative exists in the vast Washington policy ecosystem, but more proximately, within the non-proliferation community. A world almost entirely new to me, immersing myself in the Nuclear Security community has been an eye opening, often fear inspiring experience, filled with rapid learning and collaboration with brilliant peers. Specifically, while NTI might easily pass for a traditional D.C. thinktank, it is in fact quite unique in its approach to Nuclear issues, emphasizing actionable deliverables. For example, with the support of advisor Warren Buffet and other nations, NTI worked with the UN to establish a low enriched Uranium fuel bank, so countries seeking nuclear energy don’t need to develop dual use infrastructure. While this project is only now concluding and has been years in the making, the ethos of setting lofty and impactful goals trickles down into the day to day work of the organization.
Presently, my work has focused on diverse topics, while narrowing specifically on the Cyber Security of nuclear facilities, and pushing the discourse on “AI” forward in nuclear circles. Working with the notable constraint of open source information, NTI is still able to achieve highly impactful projects, lending them fair influence on nuclear topics. Thus, be it in more traditional think tank activities like policy analysis, or in less traditional pursuits, my time at NTI continues to be an enjoyable learning experience, wading into unfamiliar but welcoming waters, working on highly engaging topics. I look forward to more exciting work in the future and am again, grateful for the opportunity to be in DC this summer.
