The interview was undertaken through a translator provided by Soka Gokkai International (SGI), and the transcript was lightly edited to ease understanding. Additional comments were included in footnotes for clarification after the interview.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

The transcript was lightly edited to ease understanding. In some portions, additional explanatory text was added after the interview. This was marked with square brackets throughout the transcript.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

The interview discusses the Stanton Foundation's work in funding nuclear security research, particularly through their Stanton Nuclear Security Fellows Program. The foundation aims to support young researchers who can influence policy in this area, without pushing any specific policy agenda themselves. They fund a range of academic institutions and think tanks, looking for a critical mass of senior experts to mentor the next generation. While they primarily fund US-based organizations, they have also expanded to support some non-US institutions.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

In this interview, David Shorr discusses his career in nuclear arms control and philanthropy, touching on the challenges and successes of efforts to reduce nuclear risks. He reflects on how philanthropic support and advocacy efforts have evolved, noting that consistent, strategic groundwork is critical despite setbacks. Shorr emphasizes the importance of incremental progress in nuclear disarmament while recognizing that broader political and social conditions often limit immediate impact. He also considers the possibility of a future without nuclear weapons, highlighting the role of interdependence and collective security in shaping such a world.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

In this interview, Daryl Kimball reflects on his career in nuclear disarmament advocacy and the evolving challenges of arms control. He emphasizes the importance of persistence and adaptability in the face of setbacks, while also acknowledging successes like the reduction in nuclear weapons testing and arms control treaties. Kimball discusses the role of the Arms Control Association (ACA) in shaping nuclear policy through both analysis and advocacy. He also highlights the impact of civil society on nuclear disarmament and the complex relationship between government policies and the goals of nuclear abolition.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

In this interview, Carl Robichaud discusses his career in philanthropy, focusing on nuclear security. He explains his journey from academia to working at the Carnegie Corporation, where he helped shape grantmaking strategies in the nuclear field. Robichaud emphasizes the challenges of evaluating the effectiveness of nuclear grants, given their indirect impact on policy and security. He also describes the complexities in funding nuclear initiatives and the evolving goals of civil society's involvement in nuclear issues.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

Alimzhan Akhmetov, a former Kazakh diplomat, became interested in nuclear disarmament issues when he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' department for international security issues in 2015. Akhmetov believes nuclear weapons are a destabilizing factor due to the high risks and resources spent on them, and he was disappointed that non-nuclear weapon states agreed too easily to the indefinite extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1995. Akhmetov's NGO, the Center for International Security and Policy (CISP), works on nuclear disarmament issues, brings nuclear test survivors to international forums, and collaborates with organizations like ICAN and Soka Gakkai International. Akhmetov expects nuclear weapons to be replaced by other advanced weapons like autonomous systems in the next 50 years, leading to a more secure but unequal world, with proxy wars continuing.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

Tim Sweijs recounts his path to becoming Research Director at The Hague Center for Strategic Studies (HCSS), where he focuses on nuclear deterrence, arms control, and security strategy. He highlights nuclear weapons' role in today’s unstable geopolitical environment, especially post-Ukraine conflict, advocating for robust deterrence protocols and discussing the complexities of nuclear multipolarity. Sweijs explains the function of HCSS in fostering evidence-based security policy and mentions its collaboration with international partners, emphasizing HCSS’s unique positioning within Dutch and broader European defense communities.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

Susi Snyder describes her journey from studying computer science to activism, where she engaged in nuclear disarmament and indigenous rights, particularly concerning nuclear waste at sites like Nevada’s test site. Her work expanded through positions with the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and later PAX, where she focused on humanitarian disarmament and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Snyder reflects on the Dutch disarmament scene, mentioning the Citizen’s Initiative and her success in engaging diverse civil society groups. She emphasizes the continued importance of public outreach to keep nuclear issues relevant and accessible in policy and public domains.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.