Doreen Horschig
Florida, USA
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Doreen Horschig is an associate fellow with the Project on Nuclear Issues at the Center for the Strategic and International Studies (CSIS PONI). She is also a non-resident research associate at the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Previously, Doreen was a nuclear security policy fellow at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Stanton nuclear security fellow at MIT. Her research is twofold and examines nuclear norms contestation and counterproliferation. Doreen holds a PhD in security studies from UCF, a MA in international relations from New York University, and a BA in international studies from Manhattan College.
Mentor Background
What is your area of expertise?
Are you interested in mentoring high school or college students, or both?
How did you become interested in this area?
As a child, Doreen was always interested in the field of international politics more broadly. This could be because her dad discussed global news with her from an early age. Doreen only developed an interest in Nuclear policy after taking a couple of relevant courses at NYU. This followed with a thesis in which she chose to write about nuclear deterrence. Doreen believes the nuclear status quo is not sustainable and the consequences are unacceptable. This was where the motivation began with the desire to make a change and continuing her route in academia by completing a PHD.
What was your career path to get here?
The path is largely academic.
- BA International studies Manhattan College
- MA in International Relations NYU
- PHD in security studies from UCF
- Post Doc; MIT security studies programme (Nuclear security fellow)
Why should the public care?
The Russian war presents the dangers of nuclear weapons and has placed the issues surrounding it back into the public's conciseness. Russia and Ukraine are not the only example, Chinese military actions over Taiwan and the dynamic between India and Pakistan have resulted in the need for more effective nuclear arms control and disarmament. The status quo should be questioned and challenged.
What is a current issue or trend that concerns you?
The standing treaty will expire soon, therefore, if no discussion takes place surrounding this it will mean that there will be no limits on US and Russian Nuclear forces for the first time since 1970s. The conversation of renewing the treaty has not taken place due to the Russia and Ukraine war.
Would you be willing to speak to a classroom about your work?
YesWhat themes or topics would you be interested in lecturing or discussing with a class?
Doreen's PHD was in examining nuclear and chemical weapon norms and the connotations of such, looking at public opinion with a focus on psychological factors and individual attitudes towards nuclear weapons.
Educational Resources
Syllabus “Strategic Weapons and Arms Control”
Participants
10+Description
This is a syllabus for a college course intended to provide students with a basic understanding of the theoretical issues surrounding nuclear weapons, their historical development, and the impact they have had historically on global politics and current policy debates. The course examines conceptual foundations, organizational structures and functions, decision-making processes, and priority issues in military strategies with a special focus on the role of strategic weapons in the nuclear age.
In the course, students are exposed to the science and technology behind the weapons, and the histories of the existing nine nuclear weapons states, and will build on the technical and case knowledge to explore critical issues of nuclear strategy. Topics include, but are not limited to, deterrence, compellence, nuclear use and non-use, and nuclear strategy. A significant amount of attention will also be paid to the theoretical debates, policy concerns, and historical evidence regarding the causes and consequences of nuclear proliferation. A significant amount of the course readings are drawn from both scholars and practitioners of international security and nuclear strategy. This course is suitable for students with a general background in international affairs and some familiarity with military strategy and should be of interest to students seeking to improve their understanding of nuclear security and arms control, and of particular utility to students considering careers in national and international security. The course is conducted as part lecture and part interactive undergraduate seminar.
Learning Objectives
- Develop a basic understanding of the science and technology underlying nuclear weapons
- Integrate the theory and practice of nuclear weapons and nuclear strategy by examining historical debates and current policy arenas
- Encourage critical thinking about contemporary policy debates, including the ability to analyze key issues in U.S. nuclear policy and strategy and offer practical solutions
- Improve professional skills including critical thinking, clear and effective oral presentation, the use of simulations, and oral and written argumentation
Related Material
Description
This is a syllabus for a college course intended to provide students with a basic understanding of the theoretical issues surrounding nuclear weapons, their historical development, and the impact they have had historically on global politics and in current policy debates. The course examines conceptual foundations, organizational structures and functions, decision making processes, and priority issues in military strategies with a special focus on the role of strategic weapons in the nuclear age.
In the course, students are exposed to the science and technology behind the weapons, the histories of the existing nine nuclear weapons states, and will build on the technical and case knowledge to explore critical issues of nuclear strategy. Topics include, but are not limited to, deterrence, compellence, nuclear use and non-use, and nuclear strategy. A significant amount of attention will also be paid to the theoretical debates, policy concerns, and historical evidence regarding the causes and consequences of nuclear proliferation. A significant amount of the course readings are drawn from both scholars and practitioners of international security and nuclear strategy. This course is suitable for students with a general background in international affairs and some familiarity with military strategy and should be of interest to students seeking to improve their understanding of nuclear security and arms control, and of particular utility to students considering careers in national and international security. The course is conducted as part lecture and part interactive undergraduate seminar.
Learning Objectives
- Develop a basic understanding of the science and technology underlying nuclear weapons
- Integrate the theory and practice of nuclear weapons and nuclear strategy through examining historical debates and current policy arenas
- Encourage critical thinking about contemporary policy debates, including the ability to analyze key issues in U.S. nuclear policy and strategy and offer practical solutions
- Improve professional skills including critical thinking, clear and effective oral presentation, the use of simulations, and oral and written argumentation
Related Material
Description
The purpose of this exercise is for the students to understand the critical days of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the role of leaders in crisis. Through the crucial documents at the time, students will be able to articulate the challenges of decision-making in a nuclear crisis. A group discussion will expose students to how different individuals can interpret intentions. Students are divided into 5 groups, each group receiving a different document for discussion within their group. Groups share their answers to specific questions with the rest of the class. Files:- Detailed Description and Group Exercise Information
- Group Questions (Handout)
- Group 1 Handout: Proclamation 3504 & Accompanied Kennedy Letter
- Group 2 Handout: Khrushchev’s letter to Kennedy, October 24
- Group 3 Handout: Castro Letter to Khrushchev
- Group 4 Handout: Khrushchev to Kennedy October 26
- Group 5 Handout: Khrushchev – Kennedy Exchange October 27/28
- PowerPoint
- Example of Student Summary on Chalkboard
- Title Picture
Learning Objectives
- Understand the critical days of the Cuban Missile Crisis
- Articulate the challenges of decision-making in nuclear crisis and foreign policy
- Understand the role of leaders' personalities in international crises
- Identify potential for misinterpretation and miscommunication in foreign policy communication