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

Bosnia’s Secession Crisis Can Be an Opportunity for Progress

1 week ago | justsecurity.org | Kelsey Davenport

Serb secessionist authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have plunged the country into its most significant political crisis since the conclusion of the 1992-1995 Bosnian War.
What Could Actually Save the Pentagon Billions

1 week ago | justsecurity.org | Kelsey Davenport

At face value, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s announcement earlier this month that he would trim $5.1 billion from the Pentagon’s budget by significantly cutting its contractor workforce appears reasonable. The IT, administrative, and procurement work that the memo purports to cut and that sits with expensive third-party contractors should be handled by federal employees who can serve the Pentagon’s unique needs.
Keeping Track of the Big Picture

1 week ago | justsecurity.org | Kelsey Davenport

Just Security – JustSecurity.org Skip to content Faced with a barrage of breaking news out of the Trump administration, it is easy to become paralyzed. This is arguably intentional: Flood the zone to ensure the news cycle is so overwhelming that the media (not to mention, the public) cannot keep up. In this information ecosystem, it is crucial that people retain the ability to track how State power is being used.
Trump Says U.S. Is Communicating With North Korea

1 week ago | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

May 2025By Kelsey DavenportU.S. President Donald Trump said the United States is communicating with North Korea but did not provide any details regarding his administration’s approach to addressing the nuclear threat posed by Pyongyang. Meanwhile, North Korea continues to justify expanding its nuclear arsenal as a necessary counter to the threat posed by the United States.
Iran, U.S. Begin Nuclear Talks

1 week ago | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

May 2025By Kelsey DavenportThe United States and Iran began discussions on a nuclear agreement, but Trump administration officials have sent mixed messages about U.S. objectives for a deal. Specifically, it is unclear if the United States will accept an agreement that allows Iran to continue to enrich uranium, an issue that Iran says is non-negotiable.
Diplomatic opening on Iran nuclear issue

3 weeks ago | armscontrol.org | Kelsey Davenport

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

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

2 months 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.