How can the United States work most effectively with its allies both in ensuring adequate access to nuclear fuel and in deploying nuclear reactors?
Special Edition: The Trajectory of Nuclear Power in 2025
October 13, 2025
“The unleashed power of the atom,” said Albert Einstein, “has changed everything.”
Indeed, in the wake of reviving itself, phoenix-like, from the ashes of Chernobyl and Fukushima, nuclear energy has changed the dialogue around energy and especially green energy. It seems, at least for now, that nuclear energy is the way to go to transition society off of polluting carbon-based fuel sources like oil and coal and towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. At the same time, the field provides yet another arena for the great powers of the world — China, Russia, and the United States — to compete.
President Donald Trump has set a goal of quadrupling US nuclear energy production by 2050 as a part of his wider “energy dominance” agenda. How can the United States work most effectively with its allies—both in ensuring adequate access to nuclear fuel and in deploying nuclear reactors—to achieve this? And how can America cooperate with its allies to compete with geopolitical rivals like Russia and China in global nuclear markets?
To read all of the articles in this symposium, go here.
The US-South Korea Nuclear Partnership: A Strategic Response to Global Energy Challenges
by Jung-min Kang
The US-South Korea nuclear energy partnership is a perfect locus for President Trump’s new focus on nuclear energy. Read it here.
The Future of Nuclear Power Affects the Future of Freedom
by Lt. Col. Tommy Waller & Steven Curtis
Whether the United States will be able to harness nuclear power is not just about energy dominance — the future of freedom hangs in the balance. Read it here.
The Imperative of Building Upon US-UK Cooperation Through Allied Partnerships
by Alan Ahn
Nuclear energy's importance in a changing world underscores the importance of building upon US-UK cooperation in this sphere as well. Read it here.
The Four Harmonious Friends of US Nuclear Power
by Battulga Odgerel
The fruits of a real nuclear renaissance are within reach in the United States, and the path involves four pillars symbolized by the Four Harmonious Friends. Read it here.
US-South Korean Civil Nuclear Exports Are a Winning Strategy
by Kayla T. Orta
With President Trump’s agenda to quadruple US civil nuclear energy, the United States has reentered the global nuclear energy race. However, this winning strategy may not be possible without strategic cooperation from the United States’ key industry partner, South Korea. Read it here.
