NIDS Knowledge

Join Dr. James Petrosky, President and Co-Founder of the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, for a heartfelt Thanksgiving reflection. In this special episode, Dr. Petrosky connects gratitude with resilience, highlighting NIDS’ remarkable achievements in 2025—from groundbreaking events to bold new initiatives. It’s a celebration of perseverance, partnership, and purpose. Tune in to discover...

In this electrifying episode of NIDS Knowledge , Dr. James Petrosky, President of the National Institute for Deterrence Studies, dives deep into the concept of energy resiliency and its critical role in national security and deterrence. From rubber ducks in hurricanes to solar storms and cyber threats, Dr. Petrosky breaks down the difference between survivability and resiliency, explores the vulne...

Curtis introduces the critical concepts of strategic and regional deterrence, explaining their definitions, differences, and importance in international security. He emphasizes the characteristics of both types of deterrence and how they work together to avert strategic attack and conflict management down to the local level. Get Involved with more NIDS Services: https://thinkdeterrence.com/ Deterr...

In this conversation, host Aaron Holland discusses the hypothetical scenario of a nuclear strike on Cheyenne Mountain, a critical military installation. He explores the catastrophic implications of such an event, emphasizing the strategic vulnerabilities it would expose and outlines necessary improvements to the U.S. missile defense systems, including advanced interceptors, enhanced sensor network...

Host, Christopher Stone and Dr. Coyote Smith explore the historical significance of the Panama Canal and its implications for modern space strategy. Coyote discusses the influence of naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan on the canal's construction and its relevance to contemporary geopolitical concerns, particularly regarding choke points and national security. The discussion transitions to the fu...

In this episode of NIDS Knowledge, host Joe Buff overviews how America should properly analyze setting the size of our nuclear deterrence arsenal. Factors include sound risk management, flexibility of yields and delivery options, and covering worst case scenarios where China, Russia, and North Korea pool their nukes for aggression.

In this episode, Dr. Carl Rhodes joins Christine and Natalie as a guest and discusses his report on small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and their implications for military strategy, particularly for the Australian Army. He highlights the growing threat posed by these systems, their evolution from commercial to military use, and the challenges they present in terms of air superiority. The conversat...

Christopher Stone interviews David Marsh and they explore the strategic importance of the Arctic region, particularly Greenland, in the context of national security and space operations. David discusses the historical significance of the Arctic, the current geopolitical landscape involving great powers like Russia and China, and the implications of Greenland's potential independence. The dialogue...

In this episode, the Carl, Christine, and Natalie welcome Frank Miller and Madelyn Creedon to discuss the complexities of nuclear deterrence in the current geopolitical landscape, focusing on the challenges posed by China and Russia. They emphasize the urgency of modernization and the need for a balanced approach between nuclear and conventional capabilities. The conversation also explores the rol...

In this conversation, Christopher Stone provides observations and critical analysis on the "Six Core Truths of the Space Force", recently articulated by the Chief of Space Operations. Are these really the "core truths" of a warfighting service or are these just another list rationalizing the service providing mentality the CSO is arguing against?

Carl and Christine welcome RAND researchers Dahlia Goldfeld and Nathan Beauchamp-Mustafaga to discuss their report titled “Denial Without Disaster: Keeping a US-China Conflict over Taiwan Under the Nuclear Threshold.” This episode delves into China’s nuclear buildup, its doctrine of nuclear first use, potential pathways to Chinese nuclear escalation and strategies the US can employ to minimize the...

Jim gives a whimsical example to explain minimal deterrence.

In this episode of NIDS Knowledge, host Aaron Holland delves into the crucial elements that shape nuclear deterrence: escalation dominance and narrative control. Discover how the ability to control conflict dynamics and effectively communicate strategic intentions creates a powerful deterrent against potential adversaries. Aaron explores the interconnected nature of military strength and strategic...

In this episode, Christopher Stone welcomes Dr. Brent Ziarnick to discuss what the next Trump Administration and Congress should do to strengthen the Space Force over the next four years. Challenges such as Pentagon bureaucracy, lack of armed capabilities, and its need for stronger service leadership are just a few of the items discussed. The views of the host and guests are their own.

Carl, Christine, and Natalie discuss the concept of mass in military strategy, its relevance in modern warfare, and the implications of nuclear weapons on deterrence. They explore the evolution of air power, the importance of precision in strikes, and the current state of Australia's defense industry. The conversation highlights the need for innovation and the challenges faced in military prepared...

Host, Alex Littlefield, discusses plutonium and its production.

In this episode, Christopher Stone provides commentary and context regarding recent space diplomatic activities at the UN and how repeating the same language over and over, without the shadow of military power to back it up, leads to strategic failure.

In this episode of NIDS Knowledge, host Aaron Holland explores the United States' long-standing grand strategy of nuclear inhibition—focused on preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to new states. From historical successes to modern-day challenges, Aaron delves into the pragmatic roots of inhibition, the credibility of extended deterrence, and the thought-provoking theories of scholars like Ken...

In this episode, Christopher Stone argues for a re-evaluation of the U.S. Space Force's readiness and capability limitations in light of the expansion of counterspace threats to include nuclear ASATs and FOBS, as well as typical reversible weapons systems.

In this episode, Carl, Christine, and Natalie engage in a comprehensive discussion with Hugh White about the implications of China's growing nuclear capabilities and the shifting strategic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. They explore Australia's position in this changing world, the dynamics of US-China military competition, and the lessons learned from the Cold War regarding nuclear deterren...

In this episode, Christopher Stone welcomes Ilan Berman, Senior VP of the American Foreign Policy Council to discuss his recent op-ed on how Starlink could help captive nations' quest for freedom and aid in winning competition with China.

Joe Buff explains how China's and Russia's very low birth rates can make their nuclear first-use more likely..

In this episode Christopher Stone provides commentary on a recent editorial on space arms control from a "space security" advocate and provides some reality checks upon many of its views. To read the editorial responded to see https://spacenews.com/in-shadow-war-diplomats-experts-seek-ban-weapons-from-space/

Natalie, Christine and Carl are joined by NATO Director of Nuclear Policy, Jim Stokes. They discuss how extended deterrence works at NATO, NATO’s role in the Indo-Pacific, the strategic challenge posed by China, specifically its nuclear buildup, and how NATO needs complementarity and coherence between conventional and nuclear deterrence and defense.

Dr. Brent Ziarnick joins Chris to discuss a recent report on America's GPS constellation and whether or not we as a nation are falling behind in great power competition with China in the field of space based positioning, navigation and timing (PNT)