NucleCast

In this Legacy Series episode of NucleCast, Manolis Priniotakis explores the history and evolution of nuclear intelligence—from its origins during the Manhattan Project to the sophisticated capabilities shaping nuclear security today. Manolis brings deep insight into the missions, institutions, and technologies that have defined this critical field.The conversation traces early efforts such as the Alsos Mission in World War II, the transition from military-led intelligence to civilian agencies, and the expanding role of organizations like the Department of Energy and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. We also examine how advances in nuclear forensics have strengthened attribution and nonproliferation efforts, while highlighting the challenges posed by emerging technologies and evolving threat environments.Socials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to [email protected]

In this episode of NucleCast, Adam speaks with Andrea Stricker, Deputy Director of Nonproliferation Programs at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about the current state of Iran’s nuclear program and the implications of recent U.S. and Israeli military actions.Stricker breaks down Iran’s nuclear weapons pathway, assesses the impact of recent strikes on key facilities and personnel, and explains what setbacks mean—and do not mean—for Tehran’s long‑term ambitions. The conversation explores Iran’s ability to rebuild its program, timelines for potential weaponization, and the risks posed by highly enriched uranium stockpiles and deeply buried enrichment facilities.The discussion also examines Iran’s strategic motivations, regime survival calculus, and historical lessons from cases like North Korea, offering insight into future proliferation risks and the challenges facing U.S. and allied efforts to prevent a nuclear‑armed Iran.Andrea is an expert on nuclear weapons proliferation and counterproliferation, open-source proliferation and policy analysis, and strategic commodity trafficking. Andrea has extensively researched Iran’s nuclear program, including its history, the regime’s proliferation efforts and technical advances, and diplomatic agreements. She is the co-author of five books on nuclear proliferation and is frequently cited by the media.Socials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to [email protected]

In this episode of NucleCast, retired Lieutenant General Dan Karbler joins the podcast to examine the evolving landscape of air and missile defense amid ongoing regional conflicts and accelerating technological change. Drawing on decades of operational and strategic leadership, LTG Karbler discusses how layered missile defense—from strategic homeland defense to tactical systems—is adapting to increasingly complex threats.The conversation explores Iranian drone and missile activity in the Middle East, the role of systems such as THAAD, Patriot, and counter‑UAS, and the challenges of sustaining and reconstituting missile defense capabilities at scale. Lt Gen Karbler also offers insights into the Golden Dome concept for homeland missile defense, emerging future threats, and what deterrence requires in an era of precision missiles, massed drones, and rapid technological diffusion.For nearly 37 years, Dan served our nation in a variety of positions in the United States and around the world. An expert in Air and Missile Defense and Space Operations, he has extensive experience in effectively leading large and complex military commands, conducting operations, requirements and capability development, test and evaluation, and budget formulation. Prior to retiring from the Army as a Lieutenant General, he led the U.S. Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), a globally dispersed organization across 23 locations and 11 time zones responsible for providing homeland and regional air and missile defense and space operations. During that time, Space and Missile Defense Command was named “The Army’s Best Place to Work” in 2022 and 2023. Since retiring, Dan has joined the Center for Security and International Studies (CSIS) as a senior advisor to the Missile Defense Project and has been a frequent contributor on national security matters to Merit Street News. He sits on the advisory board for TCOM and was recently appointed to the board for the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). During the past year, Dan served as a technical advisor and actor in the upcoming movie, “A House of Dynamite.” Dan has a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Benedictine College, and a Bachelor’s Degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.Socials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to [email protected]