Ankit Panda
@nktpnd.bsky.social
Stanton Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Author of ‘THE NEW NUCLEAR AGE’ (Polity) & ‘KIM JONG UN AND THE BOMB’ (Hurst/Oxford)
Subscribe to my newsletter (Nukesletter): https://panda.substack.com/
Subscribe to my newsletter (Nukesletter): https://panda.substack.com/
Pinned
Ankit Panda
@nktpnd.bsky.social
· May 21
Introducing Nukesletter
...a place for my ruminations on the new nuclear age.
panda.substack.com
Folks, I'm taking another stab at a newsletter: introducing Nukesletter (a revamp of my old newsletter from a couple years ago). Brief takes (longer form than what I'll share here) on my work, thinking, and interests. Take a look and subscribe here: panda.substack.com/p/introducin...
Reposted by Ankit Panda
“When we start talking about things like space-based interceptor, I've got to flip that equation on its head,” he said. “I've got to have high magazine depth, low cost per shot. How do I do that?”
Golden Dome chief: Space interceptors feasible only if Pentagon rewrites cost equation | InsideDefense.com
SIMI VALLEY, CA -- The Pentagon's top official for the Golden Dome missile defense initiative said space-based interceptors are technically achievable today, but only if the United States abandons dec...
insidedefense.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:19 AM
“When we start talking about things like space-based interceptor, I've got to flip that equation on its head,” he said. “I've got to have high magazine depth, low cost per shot. How do I do that?”
Reposted by Ankit Panda
The War on Woke has taken too much from us. Can't even say MX anymore.
December 11, 2025 at 1:27 AM
The War on Woke has taken too much from us. Can't even say MX anymore.
I have a new article for @carnegieendowment.org: If Trump still wants to engage North Korea, he should make it clear at next year's state of the union. The US should adopt a "stable coexistence" framework. Read here: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
If Trump Wants to Meet Kim Again, He’s Got One Big Opportunity in Early 2026
The president should use the upcoming State of the Union address to offer North Korea a new, concrete vision for engagement and reducing nuclear risks.
carnegieendowment.org
December 11, 2025 at 12:52 AM
I have a new article for @carnegieendowment.org: If Trump still wants to engage North Korea, he should make it clear at next year's state of the union. The US should adopt a "stable coexistence" framework. Read here: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
Reposted by Ankit Panda
Trump’s foreign policy isn’t “noninterventionism,” it is a kind of neo neo conservatism devoted to imposing authoritarian ethnonationalism abroad instead of democracy (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
December 10, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Trump’s foreign policy isn’t “noninterventionism,” it is a kind of neo neo conservatism devoted to imposing authoritarian ethnonationalism abroad instead of democracy (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Ankit Panda
Detainees, often with no criminal record, were subjected to what is unambiguously torture at Ron DeSantis' so-called "Alligator Alcatraz" in Florida. There need to be criminal prosecutions
They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.
Torture Techniques from CIA Black Sites Were Used at Alligator Alcatraz
Amnesty International, interviewing migrant detainees, identifies use of the confinement box. There can be no denying it is a torture prison
www.forever-wars.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Detainees, often with no criminal record, were subjected to what is unambiguously torture at Ron DeSantis' so-called "Alligator Alcatraz" in Florida. There need to be criminal prosecutions
My expectations are generally low, but I'm still pretty stunned by the sorts of people who should know better that are sane-washing this NSS.
December 8, 2025 at 9:15 PM
My expectations are generally low, but I'm still pretty stunned by the sorts of people who should know better that are sane-washing this NSS.
Call me when we have the Carl's Jr. Peace Prize.
December 5, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Call me when we have the Carl's Jr. Peace Prize.
49 instances of the word "Europe" in the new NSS. (35 in 2022 NSS and 29 in 2017 NSS.)
As far as I can see, this nat sec strategy is far harsher on Europe than on Russia. There is no mention of a threat from Russia or of deterrence, only that "re-establishing strategic stability" is a priority. Europe is cast as a major threat to freedom. A radical, dangerous document.
December 5, 2025 at 7:39 AM
49 instances of the word "Europe" in the new NSS. (35 in 2022 NSS and 29 in 2017 NSS.)
Currently reading this and learning so much.
So, hey, my new book on Truman and the Bomb comes out NEXT WEEK! In this post on Doomsday Machines, I give a rundown of WHAT IT IS ABOUT, and other useful information, including the talk I am giving about it on December 16. doomsdaymachines.net/p/the-most-a...
"The Most Awful Responsibility"
My new book on Truman and the bomb will be released next week
doomsdaymachines.net
December 4, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Currently reading this and learning so much.
Reposted by Ankit Panda
On Legal Justifications
On Legal Justifications - Lawyers, Guns & Money
Long time readers will know of my frustration with much public discourse on “war crimes,” especially in but not limited to progressive spaces. In brief, it is common to find colloquial invocation of the term “war crime” to mean “something that happened in war that seems unpleasant and that I don’t like,” which does considerable […]
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
On Legal Justifications
Reposted by Ankit Panda
The warning for an M5.9 earthquake near Dayton, NV this morning was an incorrect alert issued by the USGS ShakeAlert program. None of the stations in the Nevada Seismological Laboratory network detected any large earthquakes in Nevada this morning.
December 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
The warning for an M5.9 earthquake near Dayton, NV this morning was an incorrect alert issued by the USGS ShakeAlert program. None of the stations in the Nevada Seismological Laboratory network detected any large earthquakes in Nevada this morning.
"....over 1,000 initial winners" breakingdefense.com/2025/12/mda-...
MDA picks over 1,000 initial winners for Golden Dome contracting vehicle - Breaking Defense
In total, the agency is providing awards to 1,014 "qualifying offerors" for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program, under deals that could eventually total $151…
breakingdefense.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:24 PM
"....over 1,000 initial winners" breakingdefense.com/2025/12/mda-...
India Clinches $2 Billion Russia Submarine Deal as Putin Visits www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:19 PM
India Clinches $2 Billion Russia Submarine Deal as Putin Visits www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
More evidence of the United States in the transnational repression business.
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
More evidence of the United States in the transnational repression business.
"Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim and Admiral Daryl Caudle publicly linked the ROK’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines to countering China this week" koreapro.org/2025/11/nucl...
Nuclear submarines force issue of how far Seoul publicly aligns with US goals - Korea Pro
Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim and Admiral Daryl Caudle publicly linked the ROK’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines to countering China this week, explicitly setting expectations…
koreapro.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
"Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim and Admiral Daryl Caudle publicly linked the ROK’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines to countering China this week" koreapro.org/2025/11/nucl...
Quite enjoyed this chat with Nick about his new book on neuroscience and war.
Nicholas Wright sits down with @nktpnd.bsky.social to discuss why understanding human cognition is key to navigating nuclear escalation (Members Only)
Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...
Listen here: warontherocks.com/ep...
November 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Quite enjoyed this chat with Nick about his new book on neuroscience and war.
Missile defence in focus as China, Russia generals pledge deeper cooperation www.scmp.com/news/china/m...
Missile defence in focus as China, Russia generals pledge deeper cooperation
Zhang Youxia and Russian counterpart discuss collaboration ‘blueprint’ in Moscow as US pushes Golden Dome, nuclear weapons testing.
www.scmp.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Missile defence in focus as China, Russia generals pledge deeper cooperation www.scmp.com/news/china/m...
Reposted by Ankit Panda
Can South Korea afford the many costs of nuclear-powered submarines? My latest for @foreignpolicy.com: foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/19/t...
Can South Korea Afford the Many Costs of Nuclear-Powered Submarines?
A Trumpian promise may be hard to deliver.
foreignpolicy.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Can South Korea afford the many costs of nuclear-powered submarines? My latest for @foreignpolicy.com: foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/19/t...
Sector-specific export collapse presented as good news.
The White House just blasted this out under the headline "Good News You May Have Missed"
November 19, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Sector-specific export collapse presented as good news.
Reposted by Ankit Panda
Today in 1952, the Boston Globe published an article by science writer Michael Amrine sharing the news that the hydrogen bomb—successfully tested for the first time 18 days earlier but not yet deployed—would enable the United States to conduct mass slaughter for the low, low cost of $1 per person.
November 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Today in 1952, the Boston Globe published an article by science writer Michael Amrine sharing the news that the hydrogen bomb—successfully tested for the first time 18 days earlier but not yet deployed—would enable the United States to conduct mass slaughter for the low, low cost of $1 per person.
Now reading: @wellerstein.bsky.social's new book!
November 19, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Now reading: @wellerstein.bsky.social's new book!
Reposted by Ankit Panda
It was awesome to sit down with @nktpnd.bsky.social on the reemergence of tactical nuclear weapons and the various scenarios I worry are becoming more likely. Listen in and check out more from his excellent show!
What Would Constitute Nuclear Use? The State of Tactical Nuclear Weapons Today - War on the Rocks
warontherocks.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:51 PM
It was awesome to sit down with @nktpnd.bsky.social on the reemergence of tactical nuclear weapons and the various scenarios I worry are becoming more likely. Listen in and check out more from his excellent show!
Reposted by Ankit Panda
New book from @wellerstein.bsky.social , the foremost historian of the nuclear age. (Also, one of my favorite people.)
www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
The Most Awful Responsibility
\"I thought I knew the story but learned much that I didn’t know. Outstanding!\"— Richard Rhodes
“This is historical research at its best.” — Dan ...
www.harpercollins.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:41 AM
New book from @wellerstein.bsky.social , the foremost historian of the nuclear age. (Also, one of my favorite people.)
www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
Convenient if you're Anthropic, in a way.
"The company said human operators accounted for 10 to 20 percent of the work required to conduct the operation." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/b...
Anthropic Says Chinese Hackers Used Its A.I. in Online Attack
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Convenient if you're Anthropic, in a way.
"The company said human operators accounted for 10 to 20 percent of the work required to conduct the operation." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/b...
Anthropic Says Chinese Hackers Used Its A.I. in Online Attack
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:49 PM
"The company said human operators accounted for 10 to 20 percent of the work required to conduct the operation." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/b...