Sig Hecker Articles

Cover for Partners in Rivalry

Partners in Rivalry: U.S.-China civil nuclear ties in historical perspective

A report by Yanliang Pan and Dr. Siegfried Hecker, with Dr. William Potter contributing, on U.S.-China cooperation in nuclear science, energy, and governance.

Arena Magazine

Lessons from Los Alamos

An interview with Dr. Siegfried Hecker, the former Director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory and CNS Distinguished Professor of Practice.

Doomed to Cooperate: A Conversation with Dr. Siegfried “Sig” Hecker

NENSC Co-Chair Daniel Poneman sits down with Dr. Siegfried “Sig” Hecker — the fifth director of Los Alamos National Laboratory and one of the world’s foremost authorities on plutonium.

Closeup of Flags of United States Of America and China

A Personal Perspective of U.S.-China Nuclear Science and Security Cooperation

This article by Siegfried S. Hecker presents a historical narrative of U.S.-China cooperation in nuclear security following China’s political opening in the early 1970s.

Technical Cooperation on Nuclear Risk Reduction with China

This article by Siegfried S. Hecker and Stanford University colleague Larry D. Brandt presents their efforts at technical cooperation and nuclear risk reduction with China.

Nuclear Assembly for Nobel Laureates, July 14, 2025. (Photo by Jean Lachat)

CNS Experts Join Nobel Laureate Assembly for the Prevention of Nuclear War

On the 80th anniversary of the Trinity nuclear test explosion in Alamogordo, New Mexico, Nobel Laureates and nuclear experts convened at the University of Chicago.

Bulletin of Atomic Scientists

Time for Iran to make a no-enrichment nuclear deal

The time has come for Iran’s leaders to reconsider their past posture and instead pursue a nuclear power program that will benefit the Iranian people.

Oppenheimer: The Rest of the Story

Dr. Hecker provides the back story to some key elements of the film and shares his views on the legacy of Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project.

Kim Jong Il and missile displays

Dr. Siegfried Hecker on North Korean nuclear weapons for BBC’s Nuclear Armageddon

This video features discussions on the nuclear issues in North Korea with a short discussion of Iran.

Is Kim Jong Un Preparing for War?

The situation on the Korean Peninsula is more dangerous than it has been at any time since early June 1950.