Texas National Security Review

How do cyber operations actually impact nuclear stability?

In our new episode, Dr. Jackie Schneider breaks down the complex relationship between digital networks and nuclear weapons. She argues that the most dangerous cyber operations are those that attack our relationship with data and undermine our trust in decision-making systems. Furthermore, she posits that centralizing networks for nuclear control might increase efficiency, but it ultimately sacrifices resilience.

We pulled a compelling moment from our latest episode of "Horns of a Dilemma." Listen as Michael C. Horowitz challenges the prevailing narrative around military technology.

Horowitz argues that when it comes to adopting artificial intelligence, the U.S. military is moving too slowly, not too quickly. He contends that public fears over experimental prototypes misinterpret how the innovation system works. For proven AI applications, he argues the Pentagon has been slow to scale and must "hit the accelerator."

University of Pennsylvania | Perry World House

Most people assume they understand the systems they use every day. But as Rose McDermott (The Watson School of International and Public Affairs at Brown University) explains, confidence is often misplaced.

Using a system is not the same as understanding it. This gap becomes especially important in national security, where policymakers must make decisions about technologies like AI, hypersonic weapons, and WMDs. When leaders rely on surface-level familiarity, they tend to underestimate how complex these systems are—and how long it takes to develop and deploy them effectively. The result is flawed planning and unrealistic expectations. McDermott’s argument is a reminder that real understanding requires deeper engagement with how systems actually work—not just how they are used.

Listen to the full conversation:
https://tnsr.org/2026/04/psychological-biases-in-the-era-of-nuclear-weapons-and-ai/

What is the true cost of overestimating technological capabilities?

In this video clip from our podcast, Cameron Tracy discusses the Reagan administration's Strategic Defense Initiative. He explains how the billions spent on unrealized directed energy systems created a massive opportunity cost.

Tracy argues that every dollar spent on a weapon that never materializes is a dollar not spent on reliable, near-term solutions. As we see renewed interest in these same concepts four decades later, he challenges defense planners to learn from past overestimations.

Watch the clip and read the full article:https://tnsr.org/2026/04/beyond-the-hype-the-reality-of-precision-strike-weapons-in-ukraine



UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy

Why did Putin think the war in Ukraine would be over in three days?

In this clip, Rose McDermott (The Watson School of International and Public Affairs at Brown University) breaks down the psychological and structural flaws of personalist regimes. When loyalty is valued more than competence, leaders are often insulated from reality by the very people meant to advise them.