Iran's Potential Path from Breakout to Bomb

Iran's Potential Path from Breakout to Bomb

Author: Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control May 17, 2023 Duration: 35:38

In this episode of Iran Watch Listen, we sat down with Dr. Bruce Goodwin, an expert on nuclear weapons design and testing. We discussed the steps required to build a nuclear weapon and what is publicly known about Iran's weaponization efforts to date. The conversation took place on May 3 and was hosted by Valerie Lincy, Executive Director at the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, and John Krzyzaniak, a Research Associate at the Wisconsin Project.

Expert Bio

Bruce Goodwin is a retired senior fellow at the Center for Global Security Research at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Earlier, he was the Principal Associate Director for the nuclear weapons program at Livermore from 2001 until 2013. He has been a key player in the success of the U.S. nuclear weapons program since 1981, first at Los Alamos National Laboratory and since 1985 at Livermore. While at both Labs, he was a design physicist on five nuclear tests.

Related Resources

"Additive Manufacturing and Nuclear Security: Calibrating Rewards and Risks," Center for Global Security Research, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, November 2019.

"Nuclear Weapons Technology 101 for Policy Wonks," Center for Global Security Research, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, August 2021.


Produced by the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, Iran Watch Listen delves into the complex and critical world of Iranian proliferation. Each episode focuses squarely on Iran's nuclear and missile development efforts and the multifaceted international strategies designed to curb them. Rather than offering surface-level news, this podcast facilitates detailed conversations on the mechanisms of illicit procurement networks and the often-overlooked tools of statecraft, namely export controls and sanctions regimes. You'll hear from a rotating panel of specialists-analysts, former officials, and investigators-who provide non-partisan, evidence-based perspectives that cut through the noise of daily headlines. These discussions aim to unpack not just the "what" but the "how" and "why," giving context to the technical challenges and diplomatic maneuvers shaping this ongoing security issue. As an audio companion to the broader Iran Watch project, the series serves as a resource for anyone seeking a deeper, more nuanced understanding of a topic frequently simplified in political discourse. New installments of this podcast are released periodically, prioritizing thorough examination over a rapid publishing schedule.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 11

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