NSRI played an important role throughout the twoyear reporting period, leading high-level efforts to understand the dynamic strategic and nuclear global landscape. With revolutionary changes in the Chinese nuclear force and repeated threats of nuclear escalation in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, the tripolar nuclear rivalry that the U.S. finds itself within calls for rebalancing in its nuclear posture.
NSRI actively assists government and defense leaders in exploring the range of possible future deterrence requirements and the art of the possible to meet those requirements. In this period, NSRI developed and delivered extensive strategic escalation wargames and warhead design workshops for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) that will continue into 2025.
In July 2023, USSTRATCOM stood up the Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) Operations Center (JEC). With several EMS subject matter experts on staff, NSRI was ready to investigate technical issues for EMS dominance. In January 2024, the institute launched research and development of innovative enabling technologies and support for coordinated adaptations to tactics, techniques and procedures in EMS operations. The institute delivered the initial results of this work and is seeking to expand its footprint in this vital mission by collaborating across the DOD.
Looking ahead, NSRI is supporting a Defense Threat Reduction Agency initiative to deliberate on the fundamental assurance requirements of Allies and extended deterrence. NSRI personnel will lead thought leaders and policy experts from Australia, Japan and South Korea through a strategic escalation wargame and workshop in early 2025. They will capture, analyze and synthesize these Allied perspectives regarding what is needed to assure them and to extend deterrence to U.S. Indo-Pacific Allies and partners.
In anticipation of future needs, NSRI is pursuing research and analysis for countering Russian and Chinese military concepts that include homeland nuclear strikes against the U.S.; conceiving and prototyping innovative nuclear sensors deployable nationwide; and considering various theater nuclear systems and operational concepts for the future U.S. nuclear deterrent.
