Virtual Event
Targeting Nuclear Power
Since it began on February 28th, the war in the Middle East has targeted civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure. Civilian nuclear power plants have not been immune as Dimona in Israel and areas near Bushehr in Iran have been targeted repeatedly. In early April, Moscow evacuated Russian nationals working at the Bushehr facility. And IAEA director Rafael Grossi has warned about an increasing possibility of nuclear leaks, raising the specter of a nuclear incident caused by conflict. And IAEA director Rafael Grossi has warned about an increasing possibility of nuclear leaks, raising the specter of a nuclear incident caused by conflict. Years of Russian targeting of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility in Ukraine, show that this threat is not unique to one conflict.
Notwithstanding, the US and Iran have reached a ceasefire agreement. But these security concerns should not be forgotten. Interest – and investment – in nuclear energy is increasing globally, as leaders seek to reduce energy interdependence and reliance on fossil fuels.
This panel will discuss growing concerns around nuclear safety as well as broader questions around nuclear power plants becoming targets in war and implications for the future of nuclear energy.
Rachel Bronson, moderator
Bronson is a senior advisor at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. From February 2015 to January 2025, she served as the Bulletin’s president and CEO. She also serves as the Lester Crown Nonresident Senior Fellow for Energy and Geopolitics at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Before joining the Bulletin, Bronson served as the vice president of studies at the Chicago Council (January 2007-January 2015), putting the Council on the list of one of the top think tanks to watch, and a publisher of influential policy reports. She also taught “Global Energy” as an adjunct professor at the Kellogg School of Management.
Lars van Dassen
van Dassen is the Executive Director for the World Institute for National Security. He has worked in the nuclear non-proliferation and security field for more than 30 years. At the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority, he was responsible for the implementation of international projects primarily in the field of nuclear security in Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Moldova and the Baltic States, and he served as Acting Department Head, Section Head and Director for the Office for External Relations. He was sous-sherpa for Sweden at the Nuclear Security Summits held between 2010 and 2016.
Laura S. H. Holgate
Holgate served most recently as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations International Organizations in Vienna and the Representative of the United States of America to the International Atomic Energy Agency. She currently leads LSHH International Advisors, offering consulting services at the intersection of nuclear energy and national security. As an experienced national security leader, Holgate’s public service includes the reduction of threats and management of risks from nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons. She previously served as Vice President at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, Special Assistant to the President at the National Security Council, and as a senior official at the Departments of Energy and Defense.
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