nuclear weapon states

Strengthening Nonproliferation

21 October 2013

In this report BASIC's senior fellow, Ward Wilson, argues that the perceived status of nuclear weapons as powerful political icons hinders nonproliferation efforts and encourages other states to retain or pursue nuclear weapons programs. Wilson also discusses specific steps states could take to tackle the increased symbolism of nuclear weapons and strengthen nonproliferation.

Strengthening Nonproliferation: Game-Changing Ideas

Wednesday, October 16, 2013 (All day)

United Nations First Committee Side Event
Ward Wilson and Barry Blechman discussed how to rethink the different value perceptions of nuclear weapons within an international security framework, in order to strengthen nonproliferation efforts. The event took place on October 16th, as a side event at the United Nations First Committee. Angela Kane moderated the event and Benno Laggner from the Swiss delegation made introductory remarks.

Geneva talks: a fresh opportunity for Iran & E3+3 (P5+1)

14 October 2013

The latest installment of the negotiations between Iran and the E3+3 (P5+1: United States, United Kingdom, China, Russia, France, and Germany) will resume on Tuesday and Wednesday in Geneva. Negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program are now into their 10th year, and each year brings about more disappointment and more anxiety over concerns of nuclear proliferation. 

Why diversity matters to the nuclear debate

14 October 2013

Rebecca Cousins

The public discourse around nuclear weapons policy can be deceptively binary: countries should retain nuclear capabilities or they shouldn’t; nuclear weapons provide security and strategic stability or they don’t. However, it is generally only the tip of the iceberg that makes its way into mainstream debate. In reality, a web of incredibly technical, expert discussion takes place below the surface which defines how substantive nuclear policy decisions are taken.

Working towards a WMD-free Middle East

30 September 2013

Rebecca Cousins

Despite notes of caution and a lack of concrete offers, Presidents Obama and Rouhani set the stage for increased engagement at the UN last week. With calls for a WMD-free zone in the Middle East reaffirmed, Israel's game plan will be central.

All eyes were on the UN last week, as Presidents Obama and Rouhani took historic steps towards breaking the long-standing mutual mistrust between the US and Iran, and the Security Council unanimously passed a resolution calling for the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria.

Iran, the United States, Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, at the United Nations

23 September 2013

Chris Lindborg, Analyst and Program Manager

World leaders will descend upon New York this week to meet, and deliver their annual remarks to the United Nations General Assembly. The Syrian crisis is sure to take up a fair amount of diplomatic attention at the podium and on the sidelines, but there will also be opportunities for nuclear diplomacy.

Syria: lessons for the nuclear debate

16 September 2013

Rebecca Cousins

The threat of military intervention in Syria in response to alleged chemical weapons use by Bashar Al-Assad’s government was put on hold this past week as U.S. and Russian Foreign Ministers, John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov, negotiated a deal that would see Syria sign up to the U.N. Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and hand their chemical weapons stockpile over to the international community. As we edge towards a decision, it may be valuable to reflect on the core arguments that have been driving the debate.

'Defending the Future': A rational approach to Britain's future nuclear arsenal

9 September 2013

Toby Fenwick

The UK faces a major strategic choice at the 2015 election over whether to renew the UK’s nuclear weapons systems beyond 2042. This briefing was commissioned by BASIC and WMD Awareness for the Liberal Democrat Party Annual Conference this month. It outlines the debate, the options, and other considerations that need to be taken into account by decision makers during this time of deliberation.

Trident: the vanguard of the UK's defence policy?

31 July 2013

Voice of Russia

The Voice of Russia's Scott Craig interviewed Paul Ingram and a panel of experts on the subject of Trident and the UK's defence policy. Paul Ingram stressed that nuclear policies in Europe are based on fear and a legacy that we are struggling to overcome. We need to look forward towards the 21st century and out of Cold War mentality where war can no longer be contemplated and nuclear weapons can be abolished.

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