Scholar

Matthew Bunn

Videos

Matthew Bunn is an American nuclear and energy policy analyst, currently a professor of practice at the Harvard Kennedy School… more

Matthew Bunn
H-index: 21
Political science 44%
Engineering 24%
more

Reposted by: Matthew Bunn

managingtheatom.bsky.social
@matthew-bunn.bsky.social recently contributed to an article written for The New York Times on "Why Don't Data Centers Use More Green Energy" www.nytimes.com/2025/09/27/b...
2 2

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Fastest nuclear reduction steps that have ever been taken.
kschake.bsky.social
Kori Schake @kschake.bsky.social · 11d
Excellent thread on the unilateral reciprocals from @atomicanalyst.bsky.social
atomicanalyst.bsky.social
Stephen Schwartz @atomicanalyst.bsky.social · 11d
Tonight in 1991, President George H.W. Bush ordered the unilateral elimination of all land-based US nuclear weapons in Europe and South Korea, all nonstrategic naval nuclear weapons, the end of ground alert for all strategic bombers, and the immediate de-alerting of all 450 Minuteman II ICBMs.
1

by Kori Schake — Reposted by: Matthew Bunn

kschake.bsky.social
Excellent thread on the unilateral reciprocals from @atomicanalyst.bsky.social
atomicanalyst.bsky.social
Stephen Schwartz @atomicanalyst.bsky.social · 11d
Tonight in 1991, President George H.W. Bush ordered the unilateral elimination of all land-based US nuclear weapons in Europe and South Korea, all nonstrategic naval nuclear weapons, the end of ground alert for all strategic bombers, and the immediate de-alerting of all 450 Minuteman II ICBMs.
The front page of the September 27, 1991, edition of the New York Times, with the double-deck banner headline, “U.S. TO GIVE UP SHORT-RANGE NUCLEAR ARMS; BUSH SEEKS SOVIET CUTS AND FURTHER TALKS.” Additional related headlines included, “Sees Fading Threat; President Says Decision Could Be Reversed If Moscow Won’t Act,” and “Why U.S. Was Worried.” An unrelated headline at the top left of the front page reads, ‘Judiciary Panel Deadlocks 7-7, On Thomas Nomination to Court.”
7 23

by Lawrence Freedman — Reposted by: Matthew Bunn, Lawrence Freedman

ldfreedman.bsky.social
New post looks at what Russia is trying to achieve with its airspace provocations; the NATO and EU response; Trump’s apparent change of heart; and the latest ideas on helping Ukraine manage the financial burden of the war. (£/free trial) samf.substack.com/p/russian-pr...
Russian provocations
How should NATO and the EU react?
samf.substack.com
14 57

Reposted by: Matthew Bunn, Stephen M. Walt, Anna O. Law , and 9 more

mjsdc.bsky.social
Today’s shameful shadow docket decision from the Supreme Court—allowing Trump to unilaterally cancel $4 billion in aid—is not behavior that any healthy democracy tolerates of its judiciary. It is a sign of constitutional rot that precedes the rule of law’s collapse. slate.com/news-and-pol...
The Supreme Court Just Rewrote the Constitution to Give Trump Terrifying New Powers
The conservative supermajority's lawless shadow docket decision let the president unilaterally cancel $4 billion in foreign aid.
slate.com
79 860 2.2K

Reposted by: Matthew Bunn

atomicanalyst.bsky.social
Today in 1961, President John F. Kennedy addressed the United Nations General Assembly and memorably warned, “Every man, woman and child lives under a nuclear sword of Damocles, hanging by the slenderest of threads, capable of being cut at any moment by accident or miscalculation or by madness. ...”
A color photograph of President Kennedy addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 25, 1961.
1 7 27

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
In the Bulletin, I argue that continuing compliance with the central limits of New START for a year, or two, or three, would offer time for exploring what future accords might help avoid the dangers of a three-way nuclear arms competition.
francoisdm.bsky.social
François Diaz-Maurin @francoisdm.bsky.social · 13d
🚨 JUST IN: President Donald Trump has an opportunity to avoid the dangers of an unrestrained nuclear arms competition—something he has repeatedly warned about. Will he seize it?

Latest by Matt Bunn (@matthew-bunn.bsky.social) in @thebulletin.org

#nuclearweapons #nukesky #Trump #Putin #China
Putin just gave Trump the opportunity to maintain nuclear restraint. Will he seize it?
Extending New START will also give time for Trump to work with Russia and China on future arms control accords.
thebulletin.org
1 3 10

Reposted by: Matthew Bunn, Olga Oliker

francoisdm.bsky.social
🚨 JUST IN: President Donald Trump has an opportunity to avoid the dangers of an unrestrained nuclear arms competition—something he has repeatedly warned about. Will he seize it?

Latest by Matt Bunn (@matthew-bunn.bsky.social) in @thebulletin.org

#nuclearweapons #nukesky #Trump #Putin #China
Putin just gave Trump the opportunity to maintain nuclear restraint. Will he seize it?
Extending New START will also give time for Trump to work with Russia and China on future arms control accords.
thebulletin.org
2 9 5

by Daniel W. Drezner — Reposted by: Matthew Bunn, Steve Peers

dandrezner.bsky.social
So two things:

1) Maybe Bessent should Google about the one time NATO’s Article V was actually invoked;

2) I’d be happy to spring for a “Alliances: How Do They Work?” tutorial for Bessent.
atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 14d
Bessent on why US troops won't get involved in defending Europe: "As I told my European counterparts about two weeks ago, 'All I hear from you is that Putin wants to march into Warsaw. The one thing I'm sure of is that Putin isn't marching into Boston.'"
56 190 960

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Before traveling to the Alaska summit, Trump was asked about the pending expiration of New START, and said: “That’s not an agreement you want expiring. We’re starting to work on that.” Let's hope he seizes the opportunity of Putin's offer -- and then uses the time to explore new accords.
kingstonareif.bsky.social
Kingston Reif @kingstonareif.bsky.social · 15d
At the White House, Mr. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said Mr. Trump was “aware of this offer extended by President Putin” and said he would soon comment on it. “I think it sounds pretty good,” Ms. Leavitt said. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/w...
Putin Proposes One More Year of Nuclear Caps With U.S.
www.nytimes.com
5

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Reprocessing is far more expensive than not doing so -- and a major multi-lab study of the advanced fuel cycle options concluded that the pyroprocessing approach Oklo and others think will be so cheap might be even MORE expensive. www.anl.gov/nse/advanced...
Advanced Fuel Cycle Cost Basis Report
Informing on nuclear fuel cycle costs: present and future
www.anl.gov
1 3

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Traditionally, fast reactors have been significantly MORE expensive than traditional reactors -- and if there's one thing nuclear energy doesn't need, it's more expensive approaches that also pose more proliferation risk.
1 3

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Worth noting that in the George W. Bush administration, they did a detailed nonproliferation assessment of the many schemes for processing spent nuclear fuel, and concluded that approaches like pyroprocessing posed almost as much risk as traditional reprocessing. www.energy.gov/sites/prod/f...
www.energy.gov
1 3

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Important WaPo story on the challenges of reprocessing, quoting me and others: www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Trump’s nuclear ‘renaissance’ rests on risky plan for radioactive waste
The administration goes all-in on recycling spent fuel, despite a history of spectacular mishaps, including an unintentional atom bomb.
www.washingtonpost.com
3 6 13

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
President Trump should seize the opportunity to maintain nuclear restraint and agree with Russian President Putin's proposal to stay within the New START limits for 1 year, to give time to explore future accords. www.rferl.org/a/russia-nuc...
Putin Offers To Extend Last Nuclear Arms Pact With US
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to extend the New START treaty between Moscow and Washington -- the last remaining nuclear arms deal between the two countries, which is due to expire in F...
www.rferl.org
1

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
There's a lot more, including promoting U.S. nuclear energy exports (which would increase U.S. nuclear influence) while taking steps to limit associated proliferation risks.
1 1

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Some headlines: bipartisan consensus on
* Nonproliferation as a top national security priority
* Opposing the spread of nuclear weapons anywhere, including to allies
* At least attempting to revitalize nonproliferation cooperation with Russia and China
* Expanded steps to combat nuclear terrorism.
1 1

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Proud to be part of the high-level, bipartisan Task Force on Nuclear Proliferation and U.S. National Security, which just released its report, calling for nonproliferation to remain a top U.S. national security priority and offering ideas for a revitalized strategy to counter growing risk.
Preventing an Era of Nuclear Anarchy: Nuclear Proliferation and American Security
This report summarizes the deliberations of the Task Force on Nuclear Proliferation and U.S. National Security, convened by Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, the Carnegie ...
www.belfercenter.org
1 1 3

Reposted by: Matthew Bunn

kingstonareif.bsky.social
At the White House, Mr. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said Mr. Trump was “aware of this offer extended by President Putin” and said he would soon comment on it. “I think it sounds pretty good,” Ms. Leavitt said. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/w...
Putin Proposes One More Year of Nuclear Caps With U.S.
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by: Matthew Bunn

connectedtwplus.bsky.social
The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, Houthi strikes on maritime trade and China’s growing arsenal show how missile warfare is reshaping the battlefield.

Harvard Kennedy School’s Matthew Bunn (@matthew-bunn.bsky.social) breaks down where missile warfare stands today.

📺 youtu.be/Gicn-GdOAiQ
1

Reposted by: Matthew Bunn

connectedtwplus.bsky.social
Ukraine’s ability to withstand Russian missile strikes offers crucial lessons for Taiwan as it contends with China’s massive missile arsenal.

Joined by Harvard Kennedy School’s Matthew Bunn (@matthew-bunn.bsky.social), we look at Taiwan’s anti-missile defense strategy.

📺 youtu.be/hqKgbqG1h8w
1 1

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
"It is probable that Putin yawned when, on Friday, Trump said his patience was 'running out fast' and 'we’re going to have to come down very, very strong.'"
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | A seamlessly unserious president
Damage from Trump’s protectionism mounts domestically as danger abroad rises.
www.washingtonpost.com
2

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Control:
• Executive
• Legislature
• Courts
Modify: election processes, reject losses
Dominate:
• Media
• Big companies
• Universities
Persecute, intimidate: critics, all who speak out

The authoritarian playbook.
1

by Matthew Bunn — Reposted by: Stephen M. Walt

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
"When citizens must think twice about criticizing or opposing the government because they could credibly face government retribution, they no longer live in a full democracy." A thought from months ago seems even more relevant today.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/o...
Opinion | How Will We Know When We Have Lost Our Democracy?
www.nytimes.com
1 4

Reposted by: Matthew Bunn

nickkodama.bsky.social
The phrasing in the headline is awkward but this seems more like extended deterrence than nuclear sharing/tech transfer
Minister’s remarks touch on nuclear program Speaking to Geo TV in an interview late Thursday night, Asif made the comments while answering a question on whether “the deterrence that Pakistan gets from nuclear weapons” will be made available to Saudi Arabia. “Let me make one point clear about Pakistan’s nuclear capability: that capability was established long ago when we conducted tests. Since then, we have forces trained for the battlefield,” Asif said. “What we have, and the capabilities we possess, will be made available to (Saudi Arabia) according to this agreement,” he added.
2 3 7

Reposted by: Matthew Bunn

jenniferweeks83.bsky.social
A house in my neighborhood has dahlias that are dialed up to 11, and I wish I could give them to everyone everywhere.
Large pink dahlia flower in full bloom Large coral-hued dahlia flower in full bloom Large purple dahlia flower in full bloom
1 5

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Of course, this is hardly going to make China more relaxed about U.S. efforts to maintain the capability to threaten its nuclear deterrent.
nktpnd.bsky.social
Ankit Panda @nktpnd.bsky.social · Feb 27
Curious where Trump got the idea that Bagram is "exactly one hour away from where China makes its nuclear missiles."
faineg.bsky.social
Faine Greenwood @faineg.bsky.social · Feb 27
Apparently Trump is making noises about invading Afghanistan again.
1

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Alexandra Petri is relentlessly hilarious and always on point.
petridishes.bsky.social
Alexandra Petri @petridishes.bsky.social · 20d
Authoritarianism is like measles: Ignore it and it will go away. I have this guidance straight from Secretary Kennedy. www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
A Beautiful Day for Saying Nothing
That chill in the air isn’t Jimmy Kimmel’s show being suspended. It’s just autumn!
www.theatlantic.com
1

by Matthew Bunn

matthew-bunn.bsky.social
Anti-Defamation League report: "The trend in recent years has been for the great majority of extremist-related murders to be connected to some form of right-wing extremism. That is also true for 2024: for the third year in a row, all the murders identified were tied to right-wing extremism."
www.adl.org
1

Reposted by: Matthew Bunn, Suresh Venkatasubramanian, Nicole Guenther Discenza

petridishes.bsky.social
Authoritarianism is like measles: Ignore it and it will go away. I have this guidance straight from Secretary Kennedy. www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
A Beautiful Day for Saying Nothing
That chill in the air isn’t Jimmy Kimmel’s show being suspended. It’s just autumn!
www.theatlantic.com
17 150 600

References

Fields & subjects

Updated 1m