August 21, 2026
Attacks and breaches at nuclear energy sites occur with increasing frequency, risking proliferation and radiation consequences. Emerging technologies across the cyber and physical spaces, from artificial intelligence to unmanned warfare, expose vulnerabilities that states must address. Meanwhile, other technologies like Gen-4 reactors and nuclear fusion could eventually offer a much-needed solution. This talk offers a framework to understand security risks at civilian nuclear power plants, exploring international norms and state efforts to mitigate threats. The talk will specifically look at recent efforts by France, India, Japan, and the United Kingdom on nuclear energy security, answering questions about whether strategic efforts are futurized effectively or scrambling to close critical gaps.
Janani Mohan is a Ph.D. Candidate in Politics and International Studies at the University of Cambridge. She also holds an MA in International Policy from Stanford University. She has previously worked for the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and the Stimson Center.
The August 18 event at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies was moderated by Dr. Jeff Knopf, Professor and Program Chair, Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies, Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
