Kelsey Davenport

Washington, D.C.

Director for Nonproliferation Policy at Arms Control Today

Director for Nonproliferation Policy @ArmsControlNow focused on nuclear & missile programs in Iran & North Korea & nuclear security. (she/her)

Articles

Diplomatic opening on Iran nuclear issue

5 days ago | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

Diplomatic opening on Iran nuclear issue
North Korea Justifies Nuclear Weapons Expansion

3 weeks ago | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

April 2025By Kelsey DavenportNorth Korea threatened to escalate its nuclear weapons program after the United States announced it was sending an aircraft carrier to South Korea for combined, joint military exercises. The USS Carl Vinson docked in Busan, South Korea, ahead of the annual combined, joint Freedom Shield military exercise, held March 10-20.
Trump Sends Iran Letter Amid Military Threats

3 weeks ago | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

April 2025By Kelsey DavenportU.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressing interest in a nuclear deal, but the overture comes amid Iranian steps to expand its nuclear program and U.S. threats to strike Iran. The contents of the letter—which was delivered to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi by an Emirati official on March 12—have not been made public.
Sanctions for Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation: Moving Forward

3 weeks ago | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

April 2025Reviewed by Kelsey DavenportSanctions for Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation: Moving ForwardBy Armend Bekaj and Peter Wallensteen, eds. Routledge Global Security Studies2025Making Sanctions More EffectiveIn the last several decades, sanctions have played a central role in international efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
North Korea Rejects U.S. Goal of Denuclearization

1 month ago | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

March 2025By Kelsey DavenportThe Trump administration reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to total North Korean denuclearization, a goal that Pyongyang described as impossible and impractical. In a Feb.
U.S. Sanctions Russian Operator at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

1 month ago | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

March 2025The United States announced sanctions on the Russian entity operating the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant amid renewed warnings from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine. In a Jan.
United States Sends Mixed Signals on Iran

1 month ago | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

March 2025By Kelsey DavenportU.S. President Donald Trump announced a return to maximum pressure on Iran but reiterated his support for reaching a nuclear deal. The move to ratchet up sanctions sparked a backlash in Tehran, prompting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to caution against negotiations with Washington. In a Feb.
Canada Announces Global Partnership Goals

1 month ago | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

March 2025By Kelsey DavenportThe Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction will focus this year on developing cross-cutting strategies to reduce risk and expanding engagement with states outside of the multinational initiative, Canada announced. The Global Partnership, established in 2002 by the Group of Eight industrialized states, is focused on preventing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons proliferation.
U.S. Says Pakistan Developing Long-Range Missiles

Jan 10, 2025 | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport |Daryl G. Kimball

January/February 2025By Kelsey Davenport and Daryl G. KimballThe United States accused Pakistan of developing long-range ballistic missiles and announced new sanctions on four Pakistani entities involved with the development of those systems.
South Korean President Impeached

Jan 10, 2025 | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

January/February 2025By Kelsey DavenportSouth Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached after his short-lived declaration of martial law sparked protests across the country, and less than two weeks later, his acting successor was ousted as well. The political crisis raised deep concerns about the stability of a key U.S. ally in the Pacific region where the United States is trying to manage security challenges with two nuclear-armed states, China and North Korea. In a Dec.