Wilson Center Experts
Timothy McDonnell
Program Associate
History and Public Policy Program
Contact Information:
T 202-691-4308
// F 202-691-4001
Expertise:
Cold War
; History
; Nuclear Weapons
Tim McDonnell is a program associate with the Wilson Center's History and Public Policy Program where his work centers on Cold War history and the international history of nuclear weapons.
Education
M.A. in security policy studies, the George Washington University, B.A. in political science and Russian studies, Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts
Expertise
Nuclear weapons, including international nuclear history, nuclear strategy, proliferation and strategic command and control
Related Content for this Expert
International Conference: The Historical Dimensions of South Africa's Nuclear Weapons Program
Jan 04, 2013Together with the Nuclear Proliferation International History Project,and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa) Monash South Africa organized and hosted a landmark conference on the historical dimensions of South Africa's Nuclear Weapons Program. more
Nuclear Weapons in International Politics: It's Getting Personal
Dec 19, 2012The role that nuclear weapons play in international politics and security is evolving. For wealthy, militarily powerful countries, nuclear weapons are playing a diminishing role in security planning. Conversely, some countries that lack advanced military capabilities may be coming to see nuclear weapons as increasingly important for their security. The differences between these two groups are reinforced by the fact that, over the past decade, two dictators who ended their nuclear programs have lost their regimes and their lives. As a result, authoritarian leaders may now have an increasingly personal interest in holding on to their nuclear ambitions. U.S. interests can be advanced by minimizing the association that has developed over the past decade between ending nuclear weapons programs, ending regimes, and ending authoritarian leaders’ lives. more
Women and the Arab Spring & The Cuban Missile Crisis Revisited
Jan 30, 2013 to Feb 05, 2013
Haleh Esfandiari, Hanin Ghaddar, and Yassmine El Sayed Hani discuss women and the Arab Spring. Tim McDonnell previews the Wilson Center's Cuban Missile Crisis project. more
Indian Government Announces Major Release of Foreign Policy Documents at NPIHP-IDSA Workshop in New Delhi
Oct 17, 2012India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has just announced the impending release of 220,000 newly declassified files on India's foreign policy history. Speaking at an NPIHP-Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) workshop on "The Early Years of Nuclear Cooperation and Non-Proliferation" in New Delhi, MEA Special Secretary Pinak Chakravarty explained that "It is understandable that the historical evolution of our nuclear policy and development of strategic thinking in this area is a matter of considerable academic interest ... We welcome academic inquiry and analysis on this subject." more
The Limits of Detente: The United States, the Soviet Union, and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, 1969-1973
November 08, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:00pm
In "The Limits of Detente," Craig Daigle draws on newly released documents to shed new light on how the 1973 Arab-Israeli War was the result of not only tension and competing interest between Arabs and Israelis, but also policies adopted in both Washington and Moscow. Between 1969 and 1973, the Middle East in general and the Arab-Israeli conflict in particular emerged as a crucial Cold War battleground where the limits of detente appeared in sharp relief. more
Cuban Missile Crisis: Nuclear Order of Battle
October 24, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:00pm
Robert S. Norris, senior fellow for nuclear policy at the Federation of American Scientists will lead a Wilson Center panel discussion on "Cuban Missile Crisis: The Nuclear Order of Battle." Joining him will be defense analyst and nuclear historian David A. Rosenberg. The event will take place during the 50th anniversary of the 13 day crisis. more
Foreign Relations of the United States Series: SALT I, 1969–1972
February 02, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:00pm
The Nuclear Proliferation International History Project in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State's Office of the Historian presents a panel discussion on the latest volume in the FRUS Series. more
The Euromissiles Crisis and the End of the Cold War: 1977-1987
Jul 07, 2011A CWIHP Document Reader compiled for the international conference "The Euromissiles Crisis and the End of the Cold War: 1977-1987" Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome, Italy, 10-12 December 2009 more
International Conference: The Historical Dimensions of South Africa's Nuclear Weapons Program
Jan 04, 2013Together with the Nuclear Proliferation International History Project,and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa) Monash South Africa organized and hosted a landmark conference on the historical dimensions of South Africa's Nuclear Weapons Program.
Indian Government Announces Major Release of Foreign Policy Documents at NPIHP-IDSA Workshop in New Delhi
Oct 17, 2012India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has just announced the impending release of 220,000 newly declassified files on India's foreign policy history. Speaking at an NPIHP-Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) workshop on "The Early Years of Nuclear Cooperation and Non-Proliferation" in New Delhi, MEA Special Secretary Pinak Chakravarty explained that "It is understandable that the historical evolution of our nuclear policy and development of strategic thinking in this area is a matter of considerable academic interest ... We welcome academic inquiry and analysis on this subject."
The Limits of Detente: The United States, the Soviet Union, and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, 1969-1973
November 08, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:00pm
In "The Limits of Detente," Craig Daigle draws on newly released documents to shed new light on how the 1973 Arab-Israeli War was the result of not only tension and competing interest between Arabs and Israelis, but also policies adopted in both Washington and Moscow. Between 1969 and 1973, the Middle East in general and the Arab-Israeli conflict in particular emerged as a crucial Cold War battleground where the limits of detente appeared in sharp relief.
Cuban Missile Crisis: Nuclear Order of Battle
October 24, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:00pm
Robert S. Norris, senior fellow for nuclear policy at the Federation of American Scientists will lead a Wilson Center panel discussion on "Cuban Missile Crisis: The Nuclear Order of Battle." Joining him will be defense analyst and nuclear historian David A. Rosenberg. The event will take place during the 50th anniversary of the 13 day crisis.
Foreign Relations of the United States Series: SALT I, 1969–1972
February 02, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:00pm
The Nuclear Proliferation International History Project in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State's Office of the Historian presents a panel discussion on the latest volume in the FRUS Series.
Nuclear Weapons in International Politics: It's Getting Personal
Dec 19, 2012The role that nuclear weapons play in international politics and security is evolving. For wealthy, militarily powerful countries, nuclear weapons are playing a diminishing role in security planning. Conversely, some countries that lack advanced military capabilities may be coming to see nuclear weapons as increasingly important for their security. The differences between these two groups are reinforced by the fact that, over the past decade, two dictators who ended their nuclear programs have lost their regimes and their lives. As a result, authoritarian leaders may now have an increasingly personal interest in holding on to their nuclear ambitions. U.S. interests can be advanced by minimizing the association that has developed over the past decade between ending nuclear weapons programs, ending regimes, and ending authoritarian leaders’ lives.
The Euromissiles Crisis and the End of the Cold War: 1977-1987
Jul 07, 2011A CWIHP Document Reader compiled for the international conference "The Euromissiles Crisis and the End of the Cold War: 1977-1987" Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome, Italy, 10-12 December 2009
Women and the Arab Spring & The Cuban Missile Crisis Revisited
Jan 30, 2013 to Feb 05, 2013
Haleh Esfandiari, Hanin Ghaddar, and Yassmine El Sayed Hani discuss women and the Arab Spring. Tim McDonnell previews the Wilson Center's Cuban Missile Crisis project.