Belfer Center Home > Experts > William H. Tobey

« Back to list of experts

William H. Tobey

Mailing address

79 JFK Street
Cambridge, MA, 02138

William H. Tobey

Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

Contact:
Telephone: 617-496-0518
Email: william_tobey@ksg.harvard.edu

 

Experience

William Tobey was most recently Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation at the National Nuclear Security Administration. There, he managed the U.S. government’s largest program to prevent nuclear proliferation and terrorism by detecting, securing, and disposing of dangerous nuclear material.  Mr. Tobey also served on the National Security Council Staff in three administrations, in defense policy, arms control, and counter-proliferation positions.  He has participated in international negotiations ranging from the START talks with the Soviet Union, to the Six Party Talks with North Korea.  He also has extensive experience in investment banking and venture capital. 

 

 

By Date

2009

AP Photo

September 24, 2009

President Obama's Nuclear Resolution: Statements from Matthew Bunn & William H. Tobey of Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center

News

By Matthew Bunn, Associate Professor of Public Policy; Co-Principal Investigator, Project on Managing the Atom; Co-Principal Investigator, Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment (ERD3) Policy Project and William H. Tobey, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

The following are statements from Matthew Bunn and William H. Tobey at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs on President Obama’s nuclear resolution.

 

 

AP Image

September 4, 2009

"Is Moscow Playing a Double Game on Iran's Nukes?"

Op-Ed, Foreign Policy

By William H. Tobey, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

"The U.S. approach to Iran's nuclear program has long been built on the assumption that Russia's influence in Iran is key to reaching a solution. Indeed, as Iran's primary nuclear technology supplier, and one of its leading trade partners, Moscow would appear to have powerful leverage in Tehran. But the United States may be basing its policy on an illusion, for the Russians could be playing a double game."

 

 

AP Photo

July 2, 2009

Obama-Medvedev Russia Summit: Key Things to Watch

Media Feature

By Graham Allison, Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs; Douglas Dillon Professor of Government; Faculty Chair, Dubai Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School, William H. Tobey, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and Matthew Bunn, Associate Professor of Public Policy; Co-Principal Investigator, Project on Managing the Atom; Co-Principal Investigator, Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment (ERD3) Policy Project

Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev are meeting in Moscow July 6-8 to discuss a range of key issues, including reductions in nuclear weapons. Three experts from Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center offer their insights and analysis of the issues in play.

 

 

AP Photo

June 11, 2009

Observations on the Recent United Nations Security Council Resolution on North Korea

News

By William H. Tobey, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

On June 12, 2009, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1874 in response to recent provocative actions by North Korea, including a second nuclear test. Chinese and Russian support for a new U.N. Security Council resolution that imposes additional sanctions is potentially significant. However, whether China in particular will support tough implementation of the resolution and will take a harder line in its bilateral relations with North Korea remains to be seen, and will ultimately determine the success or failure of efforts to reverse North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

 

 

AP Image

May 20, 2009

"The Real Threat From North Korea"

Op-Ed, CBSNews.com

By William H. Tobey, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

"The covert nuclear cooperation between Syria and North Korea fundamentally changes the threat posed by the North Korean nuclear program."

 

 

April 13, 2009

"U.S. Needs Better System for Securing Radioactive Material"

Op-Ed, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

By William H. Tobey, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

William H. Tobey, senior fellow with the Belfer Center, argues that if we are to make a lasting improvement in our efforts to prevent a dirty bomb attack, we need a better system for regulating the security and disposition of radiological sources. Tobey says the Nuclear Regulatory Commission should take two actions: establish the bona fides of all purchasers of radiological sources before issuing a permit; and require a deposit equal to the likely cost of safe disposition, to be refunded once disposition is complete.

 

 

AP Photo

March 11, 2009

"Iran's Nuclear Deception"

Op-Ed, Boston Globe

By William H. Tobey, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

"We probably will never know whether the case of the found enriched uranium was a mistake or a feint. That uncertainty, however, and the horrible consequences of a significant lapse in our ability to monitor Iran's nuclear program should lead the IAEA, the Obama administration, and our European negotiating partners to exercise great caution in considering proposals that would depend on intricate and foolproof verification schemes."

 

 

January 29, 2009

William H. Tobey Named Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

Press Release

By Sharon Wilke, Associate Director of Communications and William H. Tobey, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

William H. Tobey, deputy administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation at the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) from 2006 to 2009 and a Harvard Kennedy School graduate (MPP ‘84), will start February 2nd as a senior fellow at the Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, where he will work with the Center’s nuclear team.

 

EMAIL UPDATES

Get the latest research on the most important international topics

Sign up to receive updates of the Belfer Center's work on international security, climate change, nuclear issues, the Middle East, or more. Select the topics of your choice.

Events Calendar

We host a busy schedule of events throughout the fall, winter and spring. Past guests include: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former Vice President Al Gore, and former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev.