Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program

About

FDD’s Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program seeks to counter the possession and development of nuclear, chemical, radiological, and biological weapons – and the means to deliver them – by America’s adversaries.

Program experts share the nonpartisan goal of restoring an international standard of zero chemical weapons use and improving nuclear material security, while actively countering flawed narratives and policies. U.S. allies and partners also seek to prevent the rise of additional nuclear weapon states in violation of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

While nonproliferation efforts have focused on deterring and preparing for biological weapons use, the COVID-19 pandemic reinforces the need for a flexible U.S. biodefense policy that can simultaneously detect and prepare for the next pandemic.

Harnessing FDD’s approach of producing actionable research and policy options, the Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program will focus on four pillars: biodefense and pandemic preparedness; nuclear nonproliferation; zero chemical weapons; and deterring and devaluing WMD-delivery vehicles and conventional long-range strike capabilities.

Anthony Ruggiero serves as the Program’s Senior Director, bringing broad experience in the fields of counterproliferation and nonproliferation. Andrea Stricker serves as deputy director, bringing expertise on nonproliferation, Iran, North Korea, and other security policy topics.

FDD’s Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program works closely with each of FDD’s programs and centers.

Experts

"We rely on a lot of the analysis that FDD does. It's enormously effective at what it does, deeply substantive, passionate about its work, all the sorts of things that you would want in a think tank."
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Brian Hook
Special Representative for Iran, U.S. Department of State
“I'm an avid consumer of FDD's work. And I've spent many hours talking to Mark and his colleagues, about Iran in particular. It's always a respectful and thought-provoking debate, and oftentimes in Washington, when people use words like “respectful and thought- provoking,” they mean they didn't really like the conversation very much. But in this case, I relish them and I look forward to them, because it makes me sharper and it makes our policy better, I believe.”
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Jake Sullivan
Former Deputy Assistant to President Obama and National Security Adviser to Vice President Joe Biden
“I love FDD. … I want to thank FDD for the work it's done over the years on so many critical issues. ... We have drawn heavily on the scholarship and analysis of FDD. … We need organizations like FDD to continue their scholarship on the threats that we face.”
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LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster
Former National Security Advisor
“FDD has been a valued resource to many agencies throughout the U.S. government in helping to address some of the nation’s most critical foreign policy issues in a complicated world.”
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Puneet Talwar
Former Senior Director for the Gulf States, Iran and Iraq, National Security Council
“I have such an appreciation for the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, for their work, for their advocacy, for their insights. What this foundation does is extraordinarily important to the national interest and security of the United States. And for those of you who are supportive of the Foundation, I want you to know that.”
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Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
"Iran continues to refuse to provide or acknowledge certain information regarding the military dimensions of its past nuclear activities. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies has been in the forefront of efforts to keep these issues before the American people, and to support efforts by President Trump and his Administration, to confront and impose costs on both Iran and Syria, for the totality of their malign activities."
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Dr. Yleem D.S. Poblete
Assistant Secretary of State of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance
“It is the efforts of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies that is dedicated to these issues day in and day out – your work every day makes a real difference in these battles that we wage.”
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Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL)

Products

Events

Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program: Previewing the March 4-8 IAEA Board Meeting

February 27, 2024 | 1:15 pm