CNTR Monitor 2025: New Realities of AI in Global Security

The latest CNTR Monitor focuses on the current boom in artificial intelligence and its impacts on global security. Open access

Cluster for Natural and Technical Science Arms Control Research

We research emerging technologies and developments in the natural sciences from an interdisciplinary perspective. Military innovations, digital warfare and disinformation influence the balance of power and create uncertainty. In order to provide impetus for arms control at the international level, it is important not only to identify emerging problems at an early stage, but also to have the technical competence to address these problems. That is why we develop scientifically sound bases for recommendations for action to strengthen arms control.

In the CNTR research and transfer cluster, researchers from the natural and social sciences work together closely. We are based at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), the Technical University of Darmstadt and Justus Liebig University Giessen.

CNTR is organized into three research groups:

These three groups work together on the cross-cutting topics of artificial intelligence and verification. The natural and technical science research is complemented by the research area “Arms Control Law”.

In ruins, but truly destroyed? An assessment of Iran’s nuclear program

Picture of the nuclear research reactor in Arak, Iran.
PRIF Blog by Fabian Unruh (in German)

Following the U.S. military strikes against Iran last summer, U.S. President Trump announced that all of the country’s nuclear facilities had been destroyed. While other sources offered less sweeping assessments, it nevertheless became clear that several facilities had sustained significant damage. Nevertheless, since February 28, 2026, facilities belonging to Iran’s allegedly completely destroyed nuclear program have once again been targeted in military operations. This blog post discusses the prospect of an Iranian nuclear weapon and explains why military means make it difficult to prevent Iran from acquiring one.

Bibliographic Record:

Unruh, Fabian. “In Trümmern, aber tatsächlich zerstört? Eine Bestandsaufnahme des iranischen Nuklearprogramms" PRIF Blog, 08.04.2026.

Open Access publication

Latest Publications

In ruins, but truly destroyed? An assessment of Iran’s nuclear program

Picture of the nuclear research reactor in Arak, Iran.
PRIF Blog by Fabian Unruh (in German)

Following the U.S. military strikes against Iran last summer, U.S. President Trump announced that all of the country’s nuclear facilities had been destroyed. While other sources offered less sweeping assessments, it nevertheless became clear that several facilities had sustained significant damage. Nevertheless, since February 28, 2026, facilities belonging to Iran’s allegedly completely destroyed nuclear program have once again been targeted in military operations. This blog post discusses the prospect of an Iranian nuclear weapon and explains why military means make it difficult to prevent Iran from acquiring one.

Bibliographic Record:

Unruh, Fabian. “In Trümmern, aber tatsächlich zerstört? Eine Bestandsaufnahme des iranischen Nuklearprogramms" PRIF Blog, 08.04.2026.

Open Access publication

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