Thomas DiNanno, director of strategic resiliency and wargaming at the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska, has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, reporting directly to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
If confirmed, DiNanno will lead the Office of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, which is responsible for the interagency policy process on nonproliferation and manages global U.S. security policy, principally in the areas of nonproliferation, arms control, regional security and defense relations, and arms transfers and security assistance.
Since 2023, DiNanno has designed, developed and executed NSRI’s world-class wargames, specifically focusing on the areas of strategic deterrence and escalation control should potential adversaries choose to cross the nuclear threshold. He has also led the strategic resiliency portfolio in which NSRI explores how best to respond to strategic escalation and manage the consequences of strategic attacks against the U.S. homeland and our allies.
These efforts have contributed significantly to NSRI’s mission as a University Affiliated Research Center, designated by the U.S. Department of Defense and sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command.
Immediately prior to joining NSRI, DiNanno served as a professional staff member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and as deputy assistant secretary of state in the Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Bureau from 2018 to 2021. In his roles focusing on deterrence and disarmament, he led or managed several multi-national dialogues and treaty negotiations on behalf of the U.S. on pressing foreign policy matters.
He also led U.S. extended deterrence engagements with Japan, the Republic of Korea and Australia and had a prominent role in the 2019 U.S.–China Space Security Dialogue in Beijing.
Previously, DiNanno was assistant administrator at the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency where he oversaw nearly $5 billion in counterterrorism programs and national preparedness initiatives that focused on resilient public safety communications systems, national continuity planning and cybersecurity initiatives.
"This nomination reflects Mr. DiNanno’s exceptional contributions to national security and strategic deterrence and many years of dedicated public service," said Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret.) Rick Evans, NSRI executive director. "We are certainly lucky to have him on our University of Nebraska UARC team and are extraordinarily proud he has been asked to serve the Nation in this important role as a key advisor to the Secretary of State and President."
Read more about DiNanno via his NSRI bio.
