Debra K. Decker
Former Associate, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2006–2011
April 2011
"Before the First Bomb Goes Off: Developing Nuclear Attribution Standards and Policies"
Discussion Paper
By Debra K. Decker, Former Associate, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2006–2011
Nuclear forensics and attribution are the new "deterrence" concepts against illicit use of fissile material. Although the science is being developed, the required systems of policies and processes have not been fully analyzed. This paper attempts to show how nuclear attribution can advance from theory to practice by establishing multilaterally coordinated policies and procedures and by replicating systems that have worked in other disciplines.
December 2006
"Who Pays When the Bomb Goes Off?"
Magazine or Newspaper Article, Foreign Policy
By Debra K. Decker, Former Associate, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2006–2011
November 15, 2007
"Statement on U.S. Capabilities in Nuclear Forensics and Attribution in the Aftermath of a Nuclear or Radiological Attack"
Testimony
By Debra K. Decker, Former Associate, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2006–2011
"Even if the U.S. had a foolproof attribution capability, the capability would prove of limited value unless it was decisively framed within a larger policy context. Gaps do exist on the hard science side and many of them have been enumerated by others, however, the policy gap is also large and must be filled."
April 2011
"Before the First Bomb Goes Off: Developing Nuclear Attribution Standards and Policies"
Discussion Paper
By Debra K. Decker, Former Associate, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2006–2011
Nuclear forensics and attribution are the new "deterrence" concepts against illicit use of fissile material. Although the science is being developed, the required systems of policies and processes have not been fully analyzed. This paper attempts to show how nuclear attribution can advance from theory to practice by establishing multilaterally coordinated policies and procedures and by replicating systems that have worked in other disciplines.
December 2006
"Who Pays When the Bomb Goes Off?"
Magazine or Newspaper Article, Foreign Policy
By Debra K. Decker, Former Associate, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2006–2011
April 2011
"Before the First Bomb Goes Off: Developing Nuclear Attribution Standards and Policies"
Discussion Paper
By Debra K. Decker, Former Associate, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2006–2011
Nuclear forensics and attribution are the new "deterrence" concepts against illicit use of fissile material. Although the science is being developed, the required systems of policies and processes have not been fully analyzed. This paper attempts to show how nuclear attribution can advance from theory to practice by establishing multilaterally coordinated policies and procedures and by replicating systems that have worked in other disciplines.
AP Photo
Spring 2009
"Insure to Assure: A New Paradigm for Nuclear Nonproliferation and International Security"
Journal Article, Innovations, issue 2, volume 4
By Erwann O. Michel-Kerjan and Debra K. Decker, Former Associate, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2006–2011
"No country has yet encountered major problems in its nuclear fuel supply specifically because of commercial disruptions. However, past political constraints on supply may be part of the motivation for countries like Iran to seek enrichment capability. Thus far it is unclear what other countries might be on the fence about acquiring a full fuel cycle and could be swayed not to enrich if an effective assurance mechanism could address the simply political risk. It is important for IAEA to identify these countries and the assurances they would need so that the best supply assurance mechanism can be crafted. Anticipating nuclear needs—not just for enriched uranium but also for fabricated fuel, transport, spare parts, etc.—and deciding whether and how government should help satisfy such needs is the best way to ensure that the industry develops in ways that serve the public's interests."
AP Photo
June 2009
"Before Disaster Strikes: Rate and Raise Public Preparedness Now"
Policy Brief
By Debra K. Decker, Former Associate, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2006–2011
More, more severe, and new types of disasters can be expected to occur as a result of new types of threats (e.g., biological, cyber, nuclear/radiological) and more as well as more severe threats due to increased global interconnectedness and climate change. Yet, most Americans are not adequately prepared to respond to or recover from a catastrophic disaster, and many expect the government to take care of them. Even those who have experienced many common disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes may not make appropriate preparations or exercise proper judgment in responding to new disasters that may require different responses. Although community disaster preparation is considered the purview of state and local governments, when a disaster strikes, the federal government is often called in to respond or to help with recovery. For example, New Orleans estimates that the federal government role in rebuilding that city will be $15 billion. Although all rebuilding costs cannot be averted, better citizen preparation and community standards have been shown to reduce the costs of catastrophes.
January 22, 2008
"Nuclear Fuel Supply Concept Developed by Debra Decker and Erwann Michel-Kerjan is Featured in the Global Risks 2008 Report of the World Economic Forum"
Highlight
By Debra K. Decker, Former Associate, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2006–2011 and Erwann O. Michel-Kerjan
"A truly innovative concept has been proposed by a joint team from the Wharton Business School and Harvard's Kennedy School: "insure to assure." The proposed solution — complementary to the efforts of the IAEA and others — would create a partnership between financial industries and governments to create the world's first international nuclear fuel insurance fund."
January 2008
"The Economics of Nuclear Energy Markets and the Future of International Security"
Working Paper
By Erwann O. Michel-Kerjan and Debra K. Decker, Former Associate, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2006–2011
This paper discusses the evolution of nuclear energy markets and key drivers of the growing "nuclear renaissance." We focus on uranium, the largest part of the nuclear fuel markets, and analyze market demand, supply, and prices since the 1970s. We review the forces impacting this market—historically and prospectively—and note proliferation concerns surrounding nuclear energy: i.e. the same facilities that enrich uranium for electricity generation can also enrich it further for nuclear weapons.
