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About This Episode
Spencer talks with David Schmerler, a researcher who keeps track of North Korea and its weapons of mass destruction. David says his work can be like a spy novel, or a video game — and in fact he even helped create a Minecraft simulation to help people understand what’s at stake. But knowing the difference between fiction and reality is crucial — for him, and for all of us.
David Schmerler
David holds a MA in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies from the Monterey (now Middlebury) Institute of International Studies, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Areas of Research:
North Korea’s missile and nuclear program
Iran’s missile and nuclear program
Geospatial Analysis
East Asian Security
3D modeling and analysis
Open-source analysis
Bibliography:
- John Schilling, Jeffrey Lewis, and David Schmerler, “A New ICBM for North Korea?”, 38North, December 22, 2015
- Melissa Hanham, Jeffrey Lewis, and David Schmerler, “3D View: North Korean and Iranian Missile Collaboration?”, Nuclear Threat Initiative, March 18, 2015
Find David on Twitter: @DaveSchmerler
Frame from 3D simulation of Raven Rock Mountain Complex, nti.org.
Show Links
James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
“How North Korea Analysts Uncover the Hermit Kingdom’s Secrets,” New York Times
Minecraft bunker simulation at NTI.org
“That Secret Iranian ‘Nuclear Facility’ You Found? Not So Much,” Foreign Policy, by Jeffrey Lewis
“Command and Control,” by Eric Schlosser (about near-misses of nuclear disaster)
“Amusing Ourselves to Death,” by Neil Postman
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