The ending of A House of Dynamite leaves many questions unanswered, intentionally. In reality, we won’t have that luxury. My colleague Isabelle Williams and I pick up where the movie ends, exploring what would unfold in the minutes, hours, and months after the missile hits Chicago.

Fun Fact: the United States tests nuclear delivery vehicles like missiles all the time. What no one has done this century, other than North Korea, is detonate a nuclear weapon.

To younger generations, nuclear threats often feel like a thing of the past. Engaging requires new tools, like art and film, to connect with people in ways they understand and humanize the issues. www.nti.org/risky-busine...

As nuclear security issues become more intricate due to tech advances, geopolitical rivalry, and new threats, dialogue among major powers is vital. The recent China-U.S. Track II Dialogue on Nuclear Security in Beijing, co-convened by NTI, brought together experts to discuss global nuclear security.

"Research shows narratives must connect with young people in a deeper way to have a lasting impact. A House of Dynamite creates a connection by not placing the blame on an individual or falling into good vs. evil tropes," writes NTI's Anusha Trivedi in our latest blog post.

"The only way to prevent another catastrophic nuclear detonation is to eliminate nuclear weapons from the face of the Earth. We can never be safe while living in a house made of dynamite," writes Hiroshima governor and president of Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace, Hidehiko Yuzaki.

Assuming that the missile in 'A House of Dynamite' carried a several-hundred-kiloton nuclear warhead and detonated directly above Chicago's Loop, what would follow? @patriciajaworek.bsky.social and Isabelle Williams of @nti.org explain. ⬇️

For 33 years, all U.S. presidents, including President Trump during his first term, preserved the moratorium on explosive nuclear testing because they understood testing would do more harm than good to U.S. national security. The same logic applies today: It is unnecessary, unwise, and unwelcome.

From the Suez Canal blockage to Covid-19, we’ve seen how fragile global economic systems can be. In an interconnected world, the economic ripple effects of nuclear weapons use would be catastrophic. NTI’s Patricia Jaworek, Isabelle Williams, and Page Stoutland researched these effects. Read more ⤵️

Sixty-three years ago this week, the world stepped back from the brink. After 13 tense days, the Cuban Missile Crisis ended with an agreement that averted nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. 🧵 ⤵️

NTI on A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE, "So how realistic is this scenario? 'Alarmingly so' is Melamed's judgment. 'It may not be the most likely scenario, but frankly, we don't know what that is.' Adds Rowan: 'There are a lot of ways a nuclear war could start, and this is certainly one of them."

A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE is now streaming on @netflix.com. If you walk away from the film with questions, we have answers. Head to NTI.org/a-house-of-dynamite to learn more.

"Watching as the fictional president is evacuated from Washington in Director Kathryn Bigelow’s film, “A House of Dynamite,” brought me back to my own helicopter ride to an underground bunker as Secretary of Energy," writes @ernestmoniz.bsky.social in his @variety.com op-ed on A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE.

This project is supported by a grant from the @nti.org. Click here to learn more about the project: www.apln.network/projects/adv...

NTI Co-Founder and Co-Chair Sam Nunn and CEO Ernest Moniz led a delegation of former U.S. officials and NTI staff to China for meetings with Chinese officials and experts. The focus was on advancing nuclear fail-safe reviews to reduce the risk of accidental or unauthorized nuclear weapon use.

We are pleased to announce that Christine Wormuth, a defense and national security leader who recently served as Secretary of the Army, is joining the Nuclear Threat Initiative as our new President and CEO. Learn more about her now. ⤵️ www.nti.org/news/nti-boa...

Give us headlines we wish were never necessary to write for 500, please!

Carl Sagan frequently spoke out against the dangers posed by nuclear weapons and advocated for nuclear disarmament and peace during his life. His words, decades old, still hold today.

On the margins of the United Nations First Committee meetings in New York, Sam Nunn and NTI staff engaged in activities that reinforce our strategy of engaging diverse stakeholders across policy, expert, and diplomatic communities to advance practical nuclear risk reduction measures. Read more. ⤵️

@patriciajaworek.bsky.social spoke at a UN Youth4Disarmament Forum panel on "Destabilizing Effects of Artificial Intelligence and Information & Communications Technology on Nuclear Stability,” covering how multilateral discussions are increasingly focused on the nexus of AI, cyber, & nuclear risks.

“We had a lot of conversations with Senator Sam Nunn, who has a foundation called Nuclear Threat Initiative, and one of the subjects that’s most important to him is this idea of sole authority,” House of Dynamite director Kathryn Bigelow says... (1/2) www.newsweek.com/entertainmen...

“Because of extraordinary luck over 80 years, despite many close calls and near-misses, there hasn’t been a detonation of nuclear weapons...Every concern that is top of mind for Americans right now…could be eclipsed by a snap decision under pressure or even an accident,” says NTI's Elise Rowan.

A House of Dynamite hits select theaters today and will be available on Netflix starting October 24. Rebecca Ferguson, one of the film's lead actors, emphasizes that this movie sheds light on the flawed system related to nuclear weapons.

You've got questions. @nti.org has answers. Breaking down the nuclear themes in "A House of Dynamite," a new film from Kathryn Bigelow, in theaters today and available on Netflix on October 24. www.nti.org/analysis/art...

On generative biology, NTI's @jaimeyassif.bsky.social said, “There is tremendous upside potential for human health, vaccine development, and bioeconomy growth. But we must promote the benefits while also guarding against accidental or deliberate misuse." Read more. ⤵️

In his recent piece in @foreignpolicy.com, our CEO, @ernestmoniz.bsky.social, argues that this moment presents an opportunity for the U.S. to shape the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear ambitions by supporting a new cooperative nuclear energy framework in the Middle East. Read more. ⤵️

Congratulations to @sebphilippe.bsky.social for being a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation’s "Genius" grant for his work exposing past harms and potential risks from building, testing, and storing launch-ready nuclear weapons! #MacFellow

Girls will be like I needed this and it’s just everyone understanding mutually assured destruction doesn’t actually make us safer.

On her upcoming film, House of Dynamite, Kathryn Bigelow said, “What I don’t understand is that that’s a defensive measure that could be global annihilation. Yet, what are you defending? There’s nothing left. So, it’s an interesting paradox.” www.bostonherald.com/2025/10/06/k...

Now seems like an appropriate moment to remind you that the United States plans to spend almost $2 trillion in the coming years refurbishing or replacing our existing nuclear weapons.

NTI's Nickolas Roth highlighted the delicate nature of the Zaporizhzhia plant's power infrastructure, saying, "For much of this year, the site has relied on a single functioning transmission line instead of multiple redundant connections..." (1/2)

Rapid scientific and technical advances create challenges and opportunities to reduce the risks posed by weapons of mass destruction. Our work is to ensure that the opportunities are optimized and the risks are minimized. Learn more. ⤵️ www.nti.org/area/ai-tech/

Nuclear non-proliferation is crucial to the national security interests of the United States and must remain a top priority. @ernestmoniz.bsky.social and Meghan O’Sullivan shared insights from our recent Task Force report with Walter Isaacson during their discussion on Amanpour and Company. ⤵️

“Keep it one hundred on the land, the sea, the sky” Taylor, we already have thousands in the triad 🫠

We’ve had dozens of close calls with nuclear weapons—times when systems failed, people made mistakes, or leaders felt pressure to retaliate. We’ve been lucky, but our luck won’t last forever. The only way to guarantee nuclear weapons are never used is to get rid of them.

The reported sabotage of the last external power line to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant underscores the extreme fragility of nuclear safety and security in a conflict zone. 🧵 ⤵️ www.iaea.org/newscenter/p...

Vaccinations have saved the lives of an estimated 17 million people between 2021 and 2024 reports @healthpolicywatch.bsky.social. But immunization programs are facing obstacles. Read more. ⤵️ healthpolicy-watch.news/vaccinations...

Every day is spooky season when you work to fight existential threats... 🎃 👻

Every step we take to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons brings us closer to creating the safe and sustainable future we all deserve.

On the re-imposition of U.N. sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, NTI’s Eric Brewer says, "Iran is not willing to meet U.S. terms for a deal. But the U.S. still clearly needs a deal for any sustainable solution. So in many ways we're back to where we started.”

Leaders and the public need a modern, evidence-based understanding of nuclear risks. Our new blog post by @patriciajaworek.bsky.social and Isabelle Williams highlights new research on the potential impacts of nuclear use and why this research must inform action. Read more. ⤵️

Using data, African countries can turn the Pandemic Agreement into actionable steps We’re partnered with @nti.org & #EconomistImpact alongside health experts from Africa for the #AfricaHealthSecurityIndex, to track progress, drive accountability and link health & climate security. More here ⤵

Nuclear proliferation is back on the global stage in a big, new way. What can Washington do – and change – to make the world safer? Task Force co-chairs Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Ernest J. Moniz, and Meghan L. O’Sullivan wrote for @foreignaffairs.com: www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...

"But consensus is within reach when it comes to halting the spread of nuclear weapons, if only because the alternative would be far more costly for the United States and the world," write @ernestmoniz.bsky.social, Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, and Meghan L. O’Sullivan in @foreignaffairs.com.

Trump announced an intention to harness AI to help uphold the international ban on bioweapons. @nti.org supports tech-driven solutions + our report recommends using AI to identify signals of high-risk or illicit activities. But tech alone is not enough. Full statement ⤵️ www.nti.org/news/nti-sup...

At the UN General Assembly, President Trump announced his administration’s intention to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to help uphold the international ban on biological weapons. Read our full statement on this news: www.nti.org/news/nti-sup...

We appreciate storytellers like Kathryn Bigelow and the House of Dynamite team for spotlighting today’s urgent nuclear threats. For the first time in 40 years, the number of nuclear weapons in the world may go up, not down. It doesn’t have to be this way though, change is possible. #AHouseOfDynamite

"President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said on Monday that he was prepared to extend existing limits on the number of deployed long-range nuclear weapons for one more year as long as the United States did the same," reports the @nytimes.com.

Read the full Task Force on Nuclear Proliferation and US National Security report now. ⤵️ www.nti.org/news/biparti...

A new Task Force report by NTI, @carnegieendowment.org, and the @belfercenter.bsky.social warns of rising nuclear proliferation risks and lays out a strategy to protect global security. Read the full report now: www.nti.org/news/biparti...