Nonproliferation Program

About

FDD’s Nonproliferation 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 Program will focus on four pillars: nuclear nonproliferation; zero chemical weapons; biodefense and pandemic preparedness; and deterring and devaluing WMD-delivery vehicles and conventional long-range strike capabilities.

Andrea Stricker oversees the program’s work, bringing expertise on nuclear and chemical proliferation, illicit procurement, Iran, Russia, China, and related proliferation topics.

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

Experts

Andrea Stricker

Nonproliferation Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

Richard Goldberg

Senior Advisor

Iran
Palestinian Politics
Iran Sanctions
Iran Global Threat Network
Iran-backed Terrorism
Gulf States
Sanctions and Illicit Finance
International Organizations

Orde Kittrie

Senior Fellow

Iran
Iran Sanctions
Iran Global Threat Network
Sanctions and Illicit Finance
Lawfare

View All Program 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."

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.”

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.”

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.”

Puneet Talwar

Former Senior Director for the Gulf States, Iran and Iraq, National Security Council

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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."

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.”