Climate engineering carries serious national security risks − countries facing extreme heat may try it anyway, and the world needs to be prepared

The big question: Would climate engineering like sending reflective particles into the stratosphere or brightening clouds help reduce the national security risks of climate change or make them worse?

Tyler Felgenhauer, Research Scientist in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University • conversation
April 4, 2024 ~9 min

Are we alone in the universe? 4 essential reads on potential contact with aliens

Whistleblower allegations that the government possesses UFOs may not be backed up by public physical evidence, but some argue that listening for extraterrestrial life is the first phase of contact.

Mary Magnuson, Assistant Science Editor • conversation
Aug. 4, 2023 ~8 min


The nuclear arms race's legacy at home: Toxic contamination, staggering cleanup costs and a culture of government secrecy

Nuclear weapons production and testing contaminated many sites across the US and exposed people unknowingly to radiation and toxic materials. Some have gone uncompensated for decades.

William J. Kinsella, Professor Emeritus of Communication, North Carolina State University • conversation
Aug. 1, 2023 ~10 min

Did Twitter ignore basic security measures? A cybersecurity expert explains a whistleblower's claims

Former Twitter security chief alleges in a whistleblower complaint gross security malpractice, with many employees having access to the social media platform’s code as well as user data.

Richard Forno, Principal Lecturer in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
Sept. 1, 2022 ~8 min

Climate activism has so far been fairly peaceful: here’s why that might change

Global climate movements have espoused nonviolence, but some are adopting more radical tactics in light of the increasing threats posed by climate change.

Alex McLaughlin, Research Associate in Existential Risk, University of Cambridge • conversation
July 7, 2022 ~8 min

Biden just declared heat pumps and solar panels essential to national defense – here's why and the challenges ahead

Other presidents used the Defense Production Act to boost fossil fuel supplies. Biden is now using it to boost clean energy. But just ramping up production isn’t enough to succeed.

Daniel Cohan, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University • conversation
June 10, 2022 ~8 min

Why Biden just declared heat pumps and solar panels essential to national defense

Other presidents used the Defense Production Act to boost fossil fuel supplies. Biden is using it to replace them with clean energy. But just ramping up production isn’t enough.

Daniel Cohan, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University • conversation
June 10, 2022 ~8 min

Why freezing the Arctic Council is bad news for global security

The Arctic Council was the world’s primary forum for cooperation among the eight Arctic nations and a channel for diplomacy – until Russia launched a war.

Gabriella Gricius, Graduate Fellow with North American and Arctic Defense Security Network, PhD Candidate in Political Science, Colorado State University • conversation
April 20, 2022 ~7 min


Technology is revolutionizing how intelligence is gathered and analyzed – and opening a window onto Russian military activity around Ukraine

National security professionals and armchair sleuths alike are taking advantage of vast amounts of publicly available information and software tools to monitor geopolitical events around the world.

Craig Nazareth, Assistant Professor of Practice of Intelligence & Information Operations, University of Arizona • conversation
Feb. 14, 2022 ~7 min

A military perspective on climate change could bridge the gap between believers and doubters

US military leaders have to plan for operations all over the world, so they can't afford to ignore climate change or debate its causes.

Michael Klare, Professor Emeritus and Director, Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies, Hampshire College • conversation
Feb. 18, 2020 ~8 min

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