John Harvey
From 2009 until retiring in 2013, Dr. John R. Harvey served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs, initially under then Undersecretary Ash Carter. He was Dr. Carter’s “go to” person for the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) as well as for engaging the Energy Department on joint oversight of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile. Dr. Harvey provided oversight to acquisition programs to modernize nuclear delivery systems and systems for their command and control.
From 2001-2009, Dr. Harvey directed the NNSA Administrator’s Policy Planning Staff where he carried out analyses relating to NSC-directed policy reviews, the work of the Nuclear Weapons Council, external advisory boards, and interagency working groups. Dr. Harvey was “point” for NNSA on the 2001 NPR, the drafting of NSPD-28 addressing the command and control of U.S. nuclear forces, and in engaging the 2008 Congressional Strategic Posture Commission.
From 1995-2001, Dr. Harvey served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Forces and Missile Defense Policy where he developed and oversaw implementation of U.S. policy governing strategic and theater nuclear forces and ballistic missile defense. This included development of U.S. nuclear weapons employment policy, oversight of the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP), interactions with allies on nuclear weapons matters , and participation in program and budget reviews of U.S. nuclear forces and systems for their command and control. He was the Secretary’s principal advisor and point of contact with other agencies and with Congress regarding the CTBT. He formulated U.S. policy on ballistic missile defense, and oversaw efforts to provide shared early warning of missile attack to U.S. allies and partners.
From 1989-1995, Dr. Harvey directed the Science Program at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Arms Control. He led research efforts on the proliferation of mass destruction weapons and delivery systems and the safety and security of U.S. nuclear weapons.
From 1978-1991, Dr. Harvey was staff physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, initially in Z-Division where he carried out assessments of the Soviet nuclear weapons program. He also served as Project Manager for Advanced Strategic Missile Systems, where he directed systems studies addressing alternative nuclear warheads for Small ICBM and basing options for the Peacekeeper ICBM. From 1982 to 1985, Dr. Harvey was assigned to the Strategic Arms Control Policy Office in the DoD as a technical advisor to the START negotiations with the Soviet Union.
Dr. Harvey received his BA in physics from Rutgers University and his MS and PhD degrees in experimental elementary particle physics from the University of Rochester. He is the author or co-author of numerous scientific papers. Since retiring from government service, Dr. Harvey consults with the Institute for Defense Analysis, Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Institute for Public Policy, Center for Strategic and International Studies, STRATCOM’s Strategic Advisory Group’s Panel on Nuclear Command and Control, the Defense Science Board and NNSA’s Advisory Committee for Nuclear Security.