Pandora Report 10.3.2025

by dkellogg97, posted in Pandora Report

Welcome to this week’s Pandora Report! This issue features proposed FY 2026 budget cuts to NSF, CDC, and HHS and their impact on U.S. science and public health enterprises, the U.S. “America First Global Health Strategy” and its implications abroad for European and African health leadership, and innovative strategies to combat avian influenza in turkey farms.

Thinking About Graduate Study in Biodefense?

The Schar School of Policy and Government has several upcoming recruitment events:

For Prospective MS Students:

For Prospective PhD Students:

🔗 See all upcoming events here.

☕ Plus: Regional coffee chats with faculty and admissions staff across Maryland, Virginia, and DC. Learn more here.

💡 Tuition Benefit: Master’s and certificate students living in Maryland and DC quality for in-state tuition rates. Learn more and register here.

Redefining Global Health Leadership: U.S. Policy, European Repositioning, and African Health Sovereignty

The U.S. State Department recently released its America First Global Health Strategy, framing a vision of U.S. global health engagement while aligning with President Donald Trump’s “America First” priorities. Observers note the title itself signals a decisive shift in the U.S. toward a more isolationist approach, tying global health tightly to national security and economic interests. The strategy maintains commitments to HIV/AIDS, malaria, polio, and TB, but omits areas such as routine childhood immunization, maternal and child health, family planning (aside from abortion), and pandemic preparedness beyond surveillance and outbreak response. It also emphasizes replacing multilateralism with multi-year bilateral agreements with recipient governments, accompanied by performance benchmarks, co-investment requirements, and data sharing.

This strategy follows several months in which the Trump administration has worked to dismantle the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID), cut annual spending on global health by nearly 70%, and renewed U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). Following the U.S. retreat from global health multilateralism, many other countries have followed suit. From Think Global Health: “Argentina announced a similar withdrawal from the organization in February; Hungary, Israel, and Russia also declared their intentions to explore an exit. After the U.S. cuts in its official development assistance, France, Germany, and the Netherlands have since announced cuts in their foreign assistance budgets, citing competing demands for increased defense spending amid ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine. In May, China sent the largest assembly to the WHA to date, but the country nevertheless pushed back on increased membership dues and changes in health programs.”

This shift is surprising given that only a few years ago, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, multilateral cooperation was essential to addressing the transboundary health threat. The U.S. withdrawal has prompted European countries to redefine their positions in global health, transitioning from supportive actors under U.S. dominance to leaders shaping political and normative frameworks. Germany, for example, has strengthened its WHO expert hub for pandemic and epidemic intelligence and pledged to donate an additional 10 million euros ($11.4 million) to WHO in May 2025 to backfill gaps left by the U.S. exit – even as the country is now cutting its official development assistance (ODA) budget below the 0.7% of GDP target and overall pledges to multilateral health initiatives decline. Several European countries have also reduced their ODA budgets, reflecting tighter fiscal constraints. France is planning to lower its ODA to 0.38% of GNI by 2026 – the lowest level in nearly 10 years. Meanwhile Switzerland and Sweden, despite their budget reductions, have pledged additional funding to the WHO beyond their required contributions, whereas France has largely maintained existing commitments without expansion.

The America First strategy also has serious implications for African countries. While it begins by highlighting successes like the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in saving 26 million lives since 2003, the report then pivots to criticizing aid as inefficient, costly, and blaming nongovernmental organizations for fostering dependence. Critics have remarked that this framing unfairly blames African countries, when much of the inefficiency comes from the way aid has historically been delivered. For instance, the U.S. often chose to route funding through U.S.-based NGOs and contractors rather than national systems, favoring vertical disease programs for AIDS and TB instead of integrating them into national health services, and maintained control over procurement, logistics, and data – limiting African governments’ ability to shape these programs.

Further Reading:

Funding Cuts, Policy Shifts, and the Erosion of U.S. Scientific and Public Health Capacity

The U.S. continues to face mounting threats to its health, scientific enterprise, and national security. A recent report by the Science and Community Impacts Mapping Project (SCIMaP) warns that proposed FY 2026 budget cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF) could reduce its funding by more than half – from $9 billion in FY 2025 to under $4 billion. If passed by Congress, these cuts would result in an estimated ~$11 billion in economic losses, given findings that $1 invested in federal R&D funding returns ~$2.25 in economic activity. These proposed cuts could also eliminate up to 75,000 research jobs and limit opportunities for more than 150,000 students and educators in STEM programs nationwide. Such reductions would not only stall decades of progress in innovation, economic growth, and workforce development, but also reflect a broader trend of fiscal and administrative changes that are reshaping federal support for both scientific research and public health nationwide.

Just as federal R&D funding is at risk, public health funding and operational capacity are also under unprecedented strain. A report by Trust for America’s Health examines how the White House’s FY 2026 budget proposal could impact the CDC and HHS, noting a 25% reduction in HHS discretionary funding, and a 53% budget cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). These cuts would eliminate 61 CDC programs and lay off an additional 16% of its staff, actions that public health leaders warn could severely undermine disease prevention and exacerbate chronic illness. The Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) would be eliminated entirely, and HHS divisions would be consolidated into new entities such as the Administration for a Healthy America. Interviews with state and local public health leaders underscore the operational strain caused by the rapid pace of these changes. As Katherine Wells, Dr PH, Director of Public Health for the City of Lubbock, Texas, explain: “What was really difficult was the quickness of all of this. If I had been given some runway to plan, if I had been told that a grant was ending in six months, I would have had time to figure out some strategies to keep work going. … I’m going to be having a very tough conversation with our Board of Health about what our public health priorities are in this new environment—what do we keep, what do we let go?”

Similar pressures are emerging in the Trump administration’s approach to federal research funding in higher education, where policy priorities are now shaping grant eligibility and distribution. According to The Washington Post: “The White House is developing a plan that could change how universities are awarded research grants, giving a competitive advantage to schools that pledge to adhere to the values and policies of the Trump administration on admissions, hiring and other matters.” Universities may be asked to certify that admissions and hiring decisions are based solely on “merit,” rather than racial or ethnic backgrounds; that foreign student applications are reviewed under new criteria; and that tuition costs reflect educational value. Critics argue such measures represent an overreach of federal authority and a politicization of the grant process. Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education, described the proposal as an “assault… on institutional autonomy, on ideological diversity, on freedom of expression and academic freedom,” warning that grants would no longer be awarded on scientific merit but on “ideological fealty.”  

These policy shifts also coincide with real-world operational challenges at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Mass layoffs, funding freezes, and administrative constraints threatened the agency’s ability to support research, yet NIH staff worked around the clock to distribute nearly $48 billion in grant funding to labs nationwide. In an effort to maintain continuity, the agency implemented a new budgeting strategy, awarding full multiyear budgets upfront. While this approach allowed critical research to continue, it left hundreds of highly rated grants unfunded, including important studies on cancer, aging, and diabetes, highlighting the difficult trade-offs imposed by fiscal constraints and administrative pressures.

Further Reading:

Avian Influenza Updates

By Margeaux Malone, Pandora Report Associate Editor

Laser-Focused: How Turkey Farmers Are Fighting Back Against the Spread of Bird Flu

Avian influenza continues to surge in commercial poultry operations across the upper Midwest, marking a concerning return of bird flu after a brief summer reprieve. Since late August, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus has struck 17 commercial farms, primarily turkey operations. Over the past month alone, these outbreaks have resulted in the loss of 3.75 million birds, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The damage has been widespread: a Minnesota turkey farm in Le Sueur County lost 33,000 birds, while a Wisconsin layer operation saw more than 3 million birds affected.

Utah also confirmed cases at a commercial turkey facility in Sanpete County, extending the outbreak’s geographic reach. Utah state veterinarian Dr. Amanda Price emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that “commercial turkey facilities in the northern U.S. and here in Utah have been the most impacted by HPAI this fall. With migratory bird season just beginning, we may see a greater impact as the season progresses.”

For farmers like Jake Vlaminck, owner of Fahlun Farms in Minnesota, the threat is personal. Just a few years ago, avian influenza forced him to eliminate tens of thousands of turkeys. Determined to prevent another catastrophe, Vlaminck has turned to innovative laser technology. He installed two laser systems designed to deter migratory ducks and geese, the primary spreaders of bird flu, from his barns during fall migration. These units, which cost in the realm of $20,000 each, emit a laser into the sky in a constantly shifting pattern to keep birds from growing accustomed to the beams. While there has been limited official data yet on their effectiveness, the anecdotal feedback has been positive. The results are impressive enough that nearly 200 laser systems have been installed on Minnesota poultry farms since 2023, with support from a state program aimed at preventing bird flu transmission.

Despite their potential, lasers alone may not provide sufficient protection against this viral foe. As president of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, Vlaminck recently led 15 farmers to Washington to advocate for vaccine development, a significant shift in industry sentiment. However, an effective vaccine could still be a few years away. Vlaminck says until then, farmers will continue to rely on laser technology and strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and Minnesota’s position as the nation’s top turkey producer.

Further Reading:

“Global Guidance on Monitoring Public Health and Social Measures Policies During Health Emergencies, Rev. Ed., 2025.”

From WHO: “This global guidance aims to facilitate systematic and harmonized data collection about, and monitoring of, public health and social measures (PHSM) policies implemented by governments during health emergencies.  The guidance is intended for policy-makers, health authorities, responders and researchers in multiple sectors and at various levels responsible for responding to public health emergencies and developing PHSM policies, and provides key actions for PHSM policy monitoring in both preparedness and response.”

“The guidance details standardized approaches and actionable steps for establishing and maintaining a robust PHSM monitoring system, a taxonomy of PHSM categories for coherent and comparable policy monitoring, and a process for consistent and transparent data collection. The guidance facilitates the availability of context-specific and real-time PHSM data alongside other key data sets drawn on during public health events for PHSM decision making. This guidance will be accompanied by flexible and customizable online tools.”

“When Biology Meets the Battlefield: An Interview with Diane DiEuliis”

From War on the Rocks: “This exclusive Cogs of War interview is with Diane DiEuliis, a distinguished research fellow at National Defense University focused on emerging biological technologies, biodefense, and preparedness for biothreats. As biotech is increasingly important to defense, we asked her to share her thoughts on the industry and its future.”

Read here.

“Verification Without a Treaty”

Tamara Patton and Pavel Podvig authored this UNIDIR publication: “In the established practice of nuclear arms control and disarmament agreements, verification provisions are negotiated as part of a treaty to provide States with a mechanism to assess compliance and to deter violations of its terms. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to negotiate new legally binding agreements, whether bilateral or multilateral. In some areas, in the absence of a functioning treaty, States assume certain obligations that constrain their behaviour, such as moratoriums on fissile material production or explosive nuclear tests, or a commitment to constrain deployment of some weapon systems. However, without agreed verification mechanisms, it is often difficult to confirm compliance with such obligations.”

“This report suggests an approach to verifying obligations assumed by States through a mechanism of demonstrative verification, in which a State that wants to demonstrate compliance with its obligations unilaterally implements measures to positively prove its compliance to an international audience. To be effective, these measures must include a detailed verification protocol, rely on open data rather than intelligence estimates, and potentially involve independent observers. This report discusses potential applications of this approach to nuclear arms control and space security.”

“Racing Towards Risk: The Hidden Costs of Nuclear Arms Build-Up”

This report was authored by Tim Caughley: “This report examines the risks associated with a nuclear arms race. Drawing lessons from the Cold War, it warns that while past arms races have not lead to nuclear war, they carried with them a range of other risks. These include the dangers of a nuclear escalation and inadvertent use, financial and humanitarian costs, disruption of deterrence and pressures on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons.”

“The report also surveys the current security environment, highlighting deteriorating arms control frameworks, strained dialogue among nuclear powers, and expanding arsenals as critical concerns. It emphasizes that arms races sustain or intensify hostility among protagonists, compounding the inherent risks of nuclear weapons through deliberate competitive build-ups that are likely to exacerbate existing tensions. The conclusion explores what approaches can be used to manage these risks.”

NEW: GMU’s OctoberVendorFest – Bio and Beer Style event

From GMU: “Join researchers, students, industry professionals, and vendors for an afternoon of networking and discovery. Drop in anytime to explore booths, connect with your account managers from leading scientific supply and equipment companies, and meet peers from academia, industry, government, and healthcare.”

This event will take place from 3:00-7:00pm ET on GMU’s SciTech campus, Beacon Hall (Manassas, VA) on Wednesday, October 8. Register here.

NEW: The Formula for Better Health: A Book Event

From AEI: “The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of having a trusted and effective approach to public health. In The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives—Including Your Own, leading expert and former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden lays out an approach to stop the world’s deadliest diseases. Drawing lessons from history as well as his own decades of experience, Dr. Frieden’s book connects science and strategy—offering practical tools to strengthen health care systems, protect communities, and save lives. Please join us for a book discussion with AEI President Robert Doar and Dr. Frieden to learn about the path to building a healthier future.”

This event will take place from 10:00-11:00am ET on October 16. Register here.

NEW: AI, Health, and the Future of Scientific Cooperation: A Seminar

From Harvard Kennedy School: “This seminar explores how artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare, global health, and the scientific enterprise: accelerating discovery, strengthening biosecurity, and reshaping international collaboration. Moderated by Dr. Syra Madad, fellow and biosecurity expert, the discussion will highlight both the opportunities and risks at the intersection of AI, medicine, and scientific cooperation in a rapidly evolving world.”

This event will take place from 12:00-2:00pm ET on October 20. Register here.

NEW: Improving Resiliency in the U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Through Make-Buy-Invest Strategic Actions: A Workshop

From NASEM: “The National Academies will convene a hybrid public workshop, October 22-23, to develop a framework to inform policymakers and stakeholders on how to apply Make, Buy, or Invest strategies across the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain. Discussions will consider variables such as national security and health; drug manufacturing practices; systemic enablers to support implementation practices; methods to assess market conditions; and the roles of key public and private stakeholders to influence the resilience of the domestic drug supply chain.”

This event will take place from 8:30am-5:30pm ET on October 22-23. Register here.

Feeding Resilience: Risk and Readiness in Food Security

From CSR: “This event will convene a multidisciplinary group interested in food security, agriculture, climate, security, and development in-person at KSU and virtually for other US and international audiences. Throughout the day, attendees will have opportunities to network and engage with expert speakers on food and water security challenges, agricultural trade and innovation, workforce development, and the way forward in today’s global policymaking environment. The event is part of CCS’s Feeding Resilience program, which has analyzed and developed policy recommendations on food, climate, and security risks for the United States and is now deepening analysis and policy engagements for European and global audiences.”

This event will take place 8:30am-2:35pm CDT in Manhattan, KS, on October 7. Register here.

EMBRACE 2025 – Scientific Pathways to Biotoxin Preparedness Online Event

From CMINE: “Join us at the forefront of chemical and biological security for EMBRACE 2025 – a key event dedicated to cutting-edge research on biotoxins and human biomarkers of intoxication. This international symposium will spotlight ground-breaking scientific work and host the inauguration of EMBRACE’s Biotoxin Task Force.”

“What to Expect:

A unique opportunity to shape the scientific landscape of biotoxin threat preparedness and learn more about the EU EMBRACE project and the Biotoxin Task Force

A platform for showcasing innovation in biotoxin detection and response

Networking with global experts in biological forensics and toxicology”

This event will take place on October 15, 0900-1700 CEST. Register here.

Exploring Applications of AI in Genomics and Precision Health: A Workshop

From NASEM: “The National Academies’ Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health will host a hybrid public workshop on October 28 to explore current and potential future applications for AI in genomics and precision health along the continuum from translational research to clinical applications. The workshop will:

  • Explore the current implementation of AI in genomics and precision health (e.g., variant interpretation, data integration, patient and participant identification, return of results, treatment selection).
  • Discuss potential benefits and challenges of future AI applications (e.g., data harmonization and security, workforce, and usefulness for all).
  • Consider evaluations for and impact of the accuracy of, and bias inherent to, AI technologies in genomics-related research and clinical care.
  • Examine lessons learned from applications of AI in other fields that may be transferable to genomics and precision health throughout the translational research process.”

This workshop will take place 8:30am-5:00pm ET on October 28. Register here.

Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction

From the World Organisation for Animal Health: “In October 2025, WOAH is hosting its third Global Conference, with the goal of galvanising advocacy efforts to manage the rising risk of biological threats from across the world.”

“The Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction – which will take place in Geneva on 28-30 October 2025 – will bring together top minds in the fields of
health-security, emerging technologies, and biothreat reduction policies, from the public and private sectors – to focus on the latest strategies, challenges and innovations in combating biological threats to our interconnected ecosystems.”

“The Conference will bring together approximately 400 participants from different sectors, including animal health, law enforcement and security, public health, international and regional organisations, investment and development partners, private sector and industry representatives, research, academia and regulatory authorities, youth organisations.”

“Attendees will engage in thought-provoking discussions and innovative technical presentations aimed at strengthening prevention, preparedness and response capabilities across the world.”

“The event will be guided by a narrative that traces WOAH’s commitment to biological threat reduction and the increasingly relevant role it plays at the health-security interface. Against the backdrop of an uncertain future, WOAH believes that synergies between sectors can drive positive change – making the world a safer and healthier place. ”

Learn more and register here.

GHS 2026

From GHS: “We’re excited to officially announce that the 4th Global Health Security Conference (GHS2026) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on the 9 – 12 June, 2026!”

“Building on the incredible momentum of GHS2024 in Sydney, we look forward to bringing together the global health security community once again – this time in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.”

“Registration and Call for Abstracts are now live!”

Learn more, submit abstracts, and register here.

NEW: GMU Chapter of Next Generation for Global Health Security Network Relaunched!

From GMU Biodefense Program: “George Mason University’s Chapter of Next Generation for Global Health Security Network has been restarted by Biodefense students Emily McHarg, Aishwarya Sriraman, Annette Prieto, and Kimberly Ma, with Professor Sasika Popescu serving as the organization’s advisor. The group’s mission is to develop the next generation of global health security professionals by engaging GMU students with issues in the field through different professional and social events. In September, the GMU chapter hosted their first happy hour which boasted great turnout with master’s and PhD students from the Biodefense program and other public policy programs at the Schar School. Upcoming events include a congressional career panel in October featuring panelists from the U.S. Senate, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, the Government Accountability Office, and the Congressional Research Service. In November, students will be joined virtually by Professor Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.”

If you are a student and are interested in learning more or becoming a speaker at a future event, please reach out to Emily McHarg at emcharg@gmu.edu. 

Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity (ELBI) Fellowship

“The Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity (ELBI) Fellowship inspires and connects the next generation of biosecurity leaders and innovators. Launched in 2012, ELBI is a highly competitive, part-time program that provides an opportunity for talented graduate students and professionals to deepen their expertise, expand their network, and build their leadership skills through a series of events coordinated by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. The fellowship boasts over 300 alumni with backgrounds in government, national security, private industry, science, law, public health, medicine, global health, journalism, the social sciences, and academia.”

Learn more and submit your application by October 12 here.

AI & National Security Convergence Fellowship

“In this context, the Converging Risks Lab (CRL), an institute of the Council on Strategic Risks (CSR), is partnering with the Future of Life Institute (FLI) on the “AGI and National Security Convergence Project,” a new initiative endeavoring to arm decision-makers with the understanding and capabilities required to future-proof national security against the potential perils of AGI while maximizing its promise. This partnership combines CRL’s experience in training and engaging national security leaders on convergence topics through experiential learning methods with FLI’s commitment to educating policymakers on the national security implications of developing AGI.”

Learn more and submit your application by October 13 here.

Council on Foreign Relations Internships

In an ever-changing world, CFR’s work as a leading nonpartisan resource for information and ideas about foreign policy is more important than ever. At CFR, interns participate in one of the foremost paid internship programs in the foreign policy arena. They do work that matters alongside smart and dedicated staff in a diverse and inclusive environment. Interns are paid a competitive hourly wage while gaining valuable experience through exposure to leading foreign policy experts. They are also offered professional development training as a foundation for future work in the field of foreign policy and international affairs. Internship opportunities are offered through the Blavatnik Internship Program and Robina Franklin Williams Internship Program.

Learn more and submit your application by October 13 here.

Scoville Peace Fellowship

“The fellowship ensures a pipeline of the brightest, most dedicated, and diverse next-generation experts into leading think tanks and advocacy groups in order to inspire creative new approaches to the pervasive challenges to peace and security. Its goal is to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world by providing an entree for mission-driven grads eager to learn about and contribute to public-interest organizations. The fellowship was established to honor longtime nuclear arms control activist Dr. Herbert (Pete) Scoville, Jr., a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and dedicated public servant, who encouraged young people to become involved in arms control and national security.”

Learn more and submit your application by October 20 here.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – Addressing Agricultural Biorisk Evidence Base Gaps with Applied Research

“There is a global recognition that the current evidence base to inform laboratory and on-farm biological risk management has gaps, and that applied agricultural biosafety and biosecurity policies are not always based on evidence. This notice of funding will support the design and implementation of applied agricultural biorisk research to address evidence gaps in working with high-consequence veterinary and agricultural pathogens as identified during the RAV3N Biorisk and Biosafety Gap Assessment Workshop or similar gap analysis like the WOAH working group agent specific biorisk gap analysis. ERGP is seeking proposals that address one or more key focus area components listed below. Each proposal will go through an internal ERGP and external expert review. Successful proposals should address at least one of the key focus areas and at least one component under that area.”

Learn more and submit your proposal by October 31 here.

Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly Call for Papers

“We are pleased to announce the launch of Cyberbiosecurity Quarterly, a new academic and trade journal dedicated to the intersection of cybersecurity and the bioeconomy. Published by Kansas State University’s New Prairie Press and sponsored by the Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC), this quarterly journal will serve as an important resource for professionals, researchers, and policymakers working to safeguard digital and physical biological infrastructures. Cyberbiosecurity is an emerging discipline that addresses the protection of biomanufacturing, biomedical research, synthetic biology, digital agriculture, and other life sciences sectors from digital threats. This journal will explore topics at the nexus of cybersecurity, digital biosecurity, and the bioeconomy, including but not limited to:

  • Best practices for network configuration and management in biomedical environments (ingress/egress protection, segmentation, isolation, access control, traffic protection, etc.)
  • Cybersecurity Vendor Management and Assessment
  • Cyber and Digital Biosecurity Education for the Bioeconomy’s Workforce
  • The Quality-Cybersecurity Tension in Practice and Techniques for Mitigation
  • Threat Intelligence for Cyber-Physical Biological Systems
  • Regulatory and Policy Perspectives on Cyberbiosecurity
  • Incident Response and Risk Mitigation in Biomanufacturing
  • AI and Machine Learning in Digital and Cyber Biosecurity”

Learn more and submit your papers here.

Applied Biosafety Call for Papers

“The Editors of Applied Biosafety are pleased to announce a forthcoming Special Issue focused on the myriad of topics associated with global biosafety management. This special issue will showcase examples of innovative approaches, creative solutions, and best practices developed and used around the world for managing risks associated with the handling, use, and storage of infectious biological agents, toxins, and potentially infectious materials in research and clinical settings.”

Learn more and submit by November 1 here.

64th ISODARCO Course

From ISODARCO: “In recent years, the global security landscape has become increasingly volatile, shaped by a convergence of geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and evolving nuclear doctrines. The post-Cold War order that once provided a measure of predictability in global security has eroded. Conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and strategic competition between major powers have reshaped alliances and strategic postures.”

“At the same time, disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonic missiles, and cyber threats – are adding new layers of complexity to both nuclear and conventional deterrence dynamics. These technologies are not only distorting the information landscape but also compressing decision-making timelines and complicating signaling mechanisms, increasing the risk of miscalculation.”

“Effectively managing nuclear escalation risks in this environment will require a combination of innovative diplomacy, technological safeguards, and renewed dialogue mechanisms to rebuild trust, reduce misperceptions, and stabilize strategic relations.”

“The ISODARCO 2026 Winter Course presents an invaluable opportunity for students and experts to discuss and examine these dynamics in depth and explore approaches to re-establishing strategic stability and reducing nuclear dangers in a volatile world.”

This course will take place January 11-18, 2026, in Andalo. Learn more and apply here.

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