NucleCast

What happens when a nuclear threat becomes real—and who responds first?
In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther speaks with retired Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer Steve Andros about nuclear incident response, interagency coordination, and the growing risks of proliferation and terrorism. From the role of local responders to specialized capabilities like the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST), the discussion highlights how the U.S. prepares for and deters nuclear threats.
The conversation also explores how deterrence extends beyond traditional strategy to include denial, disruption, and threat-based approaches, while separating Hollywood myths from the realities of nuclear security operations.
Steve Andros serves as Policy Advisor and Exercise Planner for the Office of Nuclear Incident Response, supporting the integrated use of U.S. capabilities and the development of national and interagency nuclear response policy. He previously served nearly 30 years as a U.S. Navy EOD officer, including assignments supporting DOE nuclear incident response policy and counter–WMD efforts.
He holds advanced degrees from Johns Hopkins SAIS and the U.S. Army War College, with a background spanning operational, strategic, and interagency nuclear security missions.
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In this episode of NucleCast, the official podcast of the ANWA Deterrence Center, Adam sits down with Todd Sriver, Director of Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3), to examine the current state and future of one of the most critical components of the U.S. nuclear enterprise.
Together, they explore the ongoing modernization of NC3—from legacy systems rooted in 1980s-era technology to a more resilient, digital network-of-networks architecture designed for today’s threat environment. The conversation highlights the technical and strategic challenges of upgrading NC3 while maintaining uninterrupted deterrence.
The episode also dives into emerging threats, including hypersonic weapons, cyber vulnerabilities, and quantum computing, and what they mean for detection, decision-making, and system resilience. Sriver outlines how the U.S. is prioritizing cybersecurity, advanced sensors, and next-generation technologies to ensure NC3 remains secure, survivable, and effective.
Dr. Todd Sriver serves as Director of Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, where he leads modernization, risk management, and development of the NC3 enterprise. He works closely with U.S. Strategic Command to secure resources and address acquisition challenges critical to nuclear deterrence.
A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel with 27 years of service, Dr. Sriver held senior Pentagon roles on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Headquarters Air Force, overseeing national and nuclear command and control systems. He previously served as a Principal Systems Engineer at MITRE, focusing on NC3 and Joint All-Domain Command and Control integration.
He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology, an M.S. from the Eisenhower School, and a B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University.
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AI expert, Jonathan Cefalu, joins the conversation to examine some of the most pressing—and underappreciated—challenges in artificial intelligence safety, from prompt injection vulnerabilities to long‑term risks posed by increasingly capable systems.
The discussion unpacks how seemingly technical issues like prompt injection can undermine reliability and security, why future AI systems may engage in motivated reasoning or resist human attempts to redirect them, and what “governability” really means as AI grows more sophisticated. Cefalu also explores the unique risks AI presents in military and defense applications, including the implications for deterrence, escalation management, and decision‑making under pressure.
The episode concludes with a forward‑looking discussion on regulatory approaches, ethical principles, and practical safeguards needed to prevent AI systems from becoming unsafe, unpredictable, or misaligned with human intent—while still enabling innovation and responsible use.
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Former senior national security official Frank Rose joins the conversation to examine the future of arms control, nuclear policy, and strategic stability in an increasingly complex global environment.
Drawing on his extensive experience in arms control, missile defense, and nuclear security, Rose offers a candid assessment of how arms control must adapt to a world shaped by great‑power competition, emerging technologies, and evolving threats from China and other strategic competitors. He explores arms control not as an end in itself, but as a practical tool for managing risk to the United States and its allies.
The discussion also takes a hard look at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)—its structure, mission, and strategic role—and considers whether organizational reform may be necessary to meet future nuclear security challenges. Rose addresses the technological pressures reshaping deterrence, the realities of stockpile stewardship, and why sustaining credibility may require difficult choices in the years ahead.
Frank A. Rose is President of Chevalier Strategic Advisors, a strategic advisory firm focused on the intersection of geopolitics, national security, and defense technology. He advises companies, investors, and institutions on strategic risk, government engagement, and emerging defense and dual-use technologies.
Previously, Rose served as Principal Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (2021–2024), where he helped oversee the U.S. nuclear security enterprise. He also served as Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Defense Policy (2009–2017), leading U.S. policy on nuclear deterrence, arms control, missile defense, space security, and allied defense cooperation. Earlier in his career, he was a Professional Staff Member on the House Armed Services Committee and a policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Defense.
Rose is a frequent commentator and author on national security and strategic technology issues, with appearances across major media outlets and policy forums.
He holds a B.A. in History from American University and an M.A. from King’s College London.
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Most discussions of AI and nuclear deterrence miss a critical question: does AI reinforce human decision‑making—or risk replacing it? In this episode, security expert Tom Summers outlines a practical framework for responsible AI use in the nuclear enterprise and explains why it matters for strategic stability.
The conversation explores how AI can strengthen deterrence through enhanced intelligence analysis, predictive maintenance, cyber defense, and early‑warning anomaly detection—capabilities that can reduce uncertainty and prevent accidents. At the same time, it examines the dangers of unrestrained automation, from autonomous targeting and AI‑enabled hypersonics to disinformation and compressed decision timelines.
Drawing on historical nuclear near‑misses and emerging technologies, Tom emphasizes the importance of trustworthy data, ethical guardrails, and meaningful human control. This episode is essential listening for policymakers and defense professionals navigating the future intersection of AI, deterrence, and nuclear security.
The Honorable Thomas A. Summers retired from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board in October 2025 after serving over 5 years. Mr. Summers previously served as Senior DOE Advisor and Deputy for Research, Development, Test, & Evaluation in Defense Programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration. He’s also a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with over three decades of active duty in a variety of command and scientific roles.
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