Matt Korda
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Matt Korda

Research Associate for the Nuclear Information Project
Nuclear Deterrence and Disarmament Progressive Foreign Policy Global Nuclear Weapons Arsenals Missile Defence Nuclear-Climate Nexus

Matt Korda is a Research Associate for the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, where he co-authors the Nuclear Notebook with Hans Kristensen. Previously, he worked for the Arms Control, Disarmament, and WMD Non-Proliferation Centre at NATO HQ in Brussels. Matt is also the co-director of Foreign Policy Generation––a group of young people working to develop a progressive foreign policy for the next generation.

He received his MA in International Peace & Security from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, where he subsequently worked as a Research Assistant on nuclear deterrence and strategic stability. He also completed an internship with the Verification, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC) in London, where he focused on nuclear security and safeguards.

Matt’s research interests and recent publications focus on nuclear deterrence and disarmament, progressive foreign policy, and the nexus between nuclear weapons, climate change, and injustice. Matt’s work has been widely published and quoted in The Washington Post, Forbes, CBC, Politico, The Nation, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Defense One, Inkstick, 38 North, Arms Control Wonk, and others.

Matt is the Ploughshares Fund 2020 Olum Fellow and an Associate Member of the Canadian Pugwash Group. He is also a 2018 alumnus of IGCC’s Public Policy and Nuclear Threats Boot Camp, a 2019 alumnus of the Wilson Center’s Nuclear History Boot Camp, and a 2019 CSIS Nuclear Scholar.

Current Work: Comprehensive study on the United States’ intercontinental ballistic missile force (forthcoming February 2021); tracking global nuclear forces (bi-monthly Nuclear Notebook); progressive foreign policy (Foreign Policy Generation).

Publications

Environmental Assessment Reveals New Details About the Air Force’s ICBM Replacement Plan
November 3, 2020
US Officials Give Confusing Comparisons Of US And Russian Nuclear Forces
October 22, 2020
The Pentagon’s 2020 China Report
September 1, 2020
Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 75 Years After
August 5, 2020
75 Years Ago: The Trinity Nuclear Test
July 16, 2020
More publications

Other Coverage

ICBM Advocates Say US Missile Subs Are Vulnerable. It Isn’t True
Not only are fears of a “transparent ocean” dramatically overhyped, but even if they were true, it would not affect the United States’ ability to maintain a credible second-strike capability––even without ICBMs.
The Future of Nuclear Weapons
Interview with Sebastian Zuba (Bullet Points Podcast) about Gen Z and Millennial perspectives on nuclear weapons issues.
No Escape from the Military Maze?
Quoted in Sean Howard's piece for the Cape Breton Spectator (7 October 2020).
New generation of ICBMs means Nebraska will continue to be 'nuclear sponge,' warn nuke skeptics
Quoted in Steve Liewer's piece for the Omaha World Herald (27 September 2020).
Trump is a Hypocrite, But He's Right About the Military-Industrial Complex
Trump is markedly more of an enabler than an enemy of the military-industrial complex, and yet, he is correct to note that national security decisions are often influenced by corporate interests.
Democrats and Republicans Agree: Phase Out Land-Based Nuclear Weapons
According to a new report, 61 percent of Americans––including both Democratic and Republican majorities––are in favor of phasing out the United States’ aging fleet of 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Democrats May Fund Trump’s Nuclear Modernization Plan Without A Fight
When it comes to funding nuclear weapons, it seems that there’s barely any daylight this year between Democrats and Republicans.
The Trump Administration Is Using The Pandemic To Ignite The Arms Race
When we eventually re-emerge from lockdown we could be stepping out into an entirely new reality: a world without any tangible constraints on nuclear arsenals, and very few on conventional military arsenals.
Congress Should Hit Pause On The New Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
Given the immediate and long-term concerns surrounding the program, Congress should not allow GBSD to be fast-tracked.
The U.S. Nuclear Deterrent Is Not Prepared For Climate Catastrophe
The U.S. nuclear enterprise is ill-equipped to deal with the inevitable onslaught of climate catastrophes that will devastate nuclear bases and their employees in the coming months and years.
How Young People Will Change the Direction of U.S. Foreign Policy in the New Decade
As long as we fail to recognize the linkages between the challenges and injustices we face at home and those we face abroad, the solutions we put forth will fall short.
The New START Treaty Keeps Nuclear Arsenals In Check And President Trump Must Act To Preserve It
Are the stars finally aligning for Washington and Moscow to extend the New START treaty?
US Ballistic Missile Defense, 2019
For the first time ever, the Nuclear Notebook examines the status of US missile defense, a key driver of the global nuclear arms race.
Five Questions About Nukes To Ask At The Next Debate
Three minutes’ discussion among two candidates is a pitiful amount of time to devote to a truly existential threat.
Pompeo and Bolton are Trying to Start Another Forever War
Trump's top two national security officials are manufacturing a crisis in order to catapult the United States into an explosive conflict with Iran.
Let's Get Rid of the National Security "Expert"
The national security field has an "Expertise" problem.
At #Nukefest, We Asked All The Wrong Questions
If we want to keep the nuclear field sustainable, our focus shouldn’t just be on the weapons themselves, but on the community as a whole.
Indian nuclear forces, 2018
India is estimated to have produced enough military plutonium for 150 to 200 nuclear warheads, but has likely produced only 130 to 140. Nonetheless, additional plutonium will be required to produce warheads for missiles now under development, and India is reportedly building several new plutonium production facilities. India’s nuclear strategy, which has traditionally focused on Pakistan, now appears to place increased emphasis on China.
Trump falls on sword for Putin’s treaty violation
Russia’s violation aside, Trump’s response—to pull out of the treaty—makes the United States needlessly complicit in its demise and frees Russia from both the responsibility and pressure to return to compliance.
Putin Deepens Confusion About Russian Nuclear Policy
Rather than strengthening deterrence, ambiguity surrounding U.S. and Russian nuclear thresholds is causing both sides to make dangerous assumptions about one another’s intentions.