Understanding the Threat of Nuclear Terrorism

William J. Perry, the 19th U.S. Secretary of Defense and current Michael and Barbara Berberian Professor Emeritus at Stanford University, has shaped American defense and nuclear security policy for over five decades. After completing his education with degrees from Stanford and Pennsylvania State University, Perry emerged as a pioneering figure in Silicon Valley, founding ESL Inc. in 1964 to develop crucial digital technologies and satellite reconnaissance systems. His government service includes roles as Deputy Secretary of Defense (1993-1994), Secretary of Defense (1994-1997), and Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (1977-1981), during which he orchestrated the dismantling of over 8,000 nuclear weapons and fostered cooperative relations with Russia. At Stanford, Perry holds joint appointments at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and the School of Engineering, while serving as a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. In 2013, he established the William J. Perry Project to educate the public about nuclear dangers, developing influential courses including "Living at the Nuclear Brink" and "The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism." His exceptional contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Knight Commander of the British Empire, while his ongoing work continues to influence global nuclear security policy and international relations. As a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a respected voice in preventive defense strategies, Perry remains actively engaged in addressing contemporary nuclear security challenges through education, research, and public advocacy.