FOCUS: SPA PERSPECTIVES
- Alexandria, VA | March 26, 2025
Author: Staff
Fostering the Next Generation of Nuclear Analysts: SPA’s Nuclear Analyst Community of Interest
Ensuring the credibility and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear deterrent requires not only technical expertise and strategic foresight but also a commitment to developing the next generation of nuclear analysts. At Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA), this responsibility is embodied in the Nuclear Analyst Community of Interest (COI), founded and led by Tom Troyano, SPA’s Fellow for Nuclear Modernization.
The COI was established in 2022 as an internal forum to provide early-career analysts with the opportunity to engage directly with senior leaders on nuclear policy, modernization, and deterrence. “The general idea was to set up a forum where they would be able to interact with senior people in a non-attribution way,” Troyano explains. “Keeping it to our younger analysts results in more dialogue and interaction with distinguished internal and external speakers. I also ask the speakers to highlight their career path—to give insights on how others can get there.”
A Platform for Thought Leadership and Professional Development
The Nuclear Analyst COI fosters an environment where SPA’s analysts can hone their critical professional skills while deepening their understanding of nuclear policy and modernization issues, which is one of SPA’s core capabilities. “It gives our analysts a forum to share their thoughts and work in front of their peers,” Troyano notes. This hands-on experience is critical in preparing SPA analysts for leadership roles in the field.
The COI meets regularly, featuring guest speakers who are influential voices in nuclear policy. A recent highlight was a discussion with Dr. Lew Dunn, former Ambassador to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, on his article, A Last Chance to Prevent Nuclear Anarchy. Dr. Dunn’s insights sparked robust engagement from COI members, who posed thought-provoking questions on geopolitical developments, nuclear risk reduction, and the future of arms control.
In addition to external speakers, the COI provides a space for SPA analysts to showcase their expertise. “Two SPA analysts recently gave a briefing on the Strategic Posture Commission results, which helped develop their briefing skills and may lead to future corporate innovations.”
The February 2025 meeting featured SPA policy analyst and COI member Mitch Armbruster discussing President Trump’s Executive Order directing the development and deployment of a missile defense program for the United States known as “Golden Dome for America.” The briefing examined policy changes, new capabilities, and implementation guidelines. Attendees discussed what the scope of the Golden Dome for America may be, tradespace among elements of the potential architecture, how this might affect investments across the defense industrial base, and other topics.
At SPA , mentorship and professional development are central to our mission. Troyano adds, “SPA’s ability to train and educate our analysts and staff makes them better prepared and equipped to support our clients and the broader nuclear and national security community over the coming decades. I like to share my firsthand experiences in nuclear arms control issues, especially those that helped shape the framework that we lived under for so long, such as the INF and START Treaties. I also encourage them to read and broaden themselves to avoid getting stuck in ‘group think.’”
By investing in professional development through initiatives like the Nuclear Analyst COI, SPA is shaping the next generation of nuclear analysts. This forum equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and strategic insight needed to navigate complex deterrence challenges. Through dialogue, mentorship, and hands-on engagement, SPA not only strengthens its workforce but also reinforces its role as a thought leader in nuclear modernization.
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