Anthony Ruggiero

2 weeks ago | fdd.org | Daniel Ackerman |Andrea Stricker |Anthony Ruggiero

An ascendant “Axis of Aggressors” — China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea — is strengthening its nuclear capabilities and developing closer military, economic, and political ties. These actors aim to directly challenge the security of the United States and its allies and partners. Specifically, these adversaries seek to use nuclear weapons to intimidate or coerce the United States and its allies and serve as a shield to enable more aggressive foreign policies.

Jan 15, 2025 | fdd.org | Anthony Ruggiero |Andrea Stricker

The State Department sanctioned senior officials of Rosatom, Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation, on Friday, including its CEO, Alexei Likhachev. These sanctions are long overdue and reflect the Biden administration’s past failure to stem a key revenue source for Russia and its war against Ukraine. Rosatom’s annual revenue in 2023 amounted to more than $16 billion, up from nearly $12 billion in 2022. The company hopes to top $18 billion when 2024 figures come in.

Oct 3, 2024 | fdd.org | Zachary Berman |Anthony Ruggiero |Andrea Stricker

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed to Reuters last month that it is investigating whether China is helping Russia circumvent a ban on U.S. imports of Russian enriched uranium. Beijing’s efforts are the latest example of expanding Russia-China nuclear cooperation. President Joe Biden signed the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act in May after the bill passed the House and Senate by unanimous consent.

Aug 22, 2024 | fdd.org | Anthony Ruggiero

The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on August 14 due to a surge in cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries. The United States and its international partners must work together to contain this public health emergency.

Jul 23, 2024 | fdd.org | Zachary Berman |Andrea Stricker |Anthony Ruggiero

Q: What type of nuclear cooperation agreement is Saudi Arabia requesting from the United States? Bloomberg reported on June 14 that National Security Council officials have briefed members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the contours of a U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement. While the administration apparently provided few details during that briefing — citing ongoing, sensitive negotiations — some information has leaked over the past year via media reports.