Meaningful dialogue to build international trust, reduce nuclear risks and advance disarmament.

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BASIC is an independent think tank

promoting dialogue to advance

global security

Foundation Year

Since 1987, we’ve been at the forefront of global efforts to build trust and cooperation on some of the world’s most progressive global peace and security initiatives.

Programmes

BASIC has six active programmes, each offering innovative paths to support the global objectives of nuclear disarmament and arms control.

Latest from BASIC

See our latest publications, analysis and events here:

Report: Clashes of Perceptions: Bridging Perspectives on Security in Europe

Over the past 18 months, BASIC has undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Phase 2 Applying as Systematic Approach to NATO-Russia Risk Reduction that aimed at advancing the understanding of workable options for risk reduction and fostering new relationships between NATO and Russia.
This project was conceived and contemplated prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and was initially intended to map and explore risk assessments and risk reduction steps in two strands of Track 1.5 dialogues with experts and officials from NATO’s North-eastern flank countries and Russia.

Extra-Long Trident Patrols: Heightened Risks for Crew Wellbeing and Nuclear Safety?

Trident patrols are now regularly five months long, up from just two months during the Cold War. What might the implications be for those serving aboard?

The BASIC-N Square UK Nuclear Threat Community Network Map

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the BASIC-N Square Network Map of departments, organisations and scholars working on nuclear threat reduction in the United Kingdom. This map is intended as a ‘gift’ to the community, with hopes that it will serve as a useful tool to build connections amongst those of us based in the UK.

The production of this map was kindly funded by N Square and the New Venture Fund.

Report: Risks and Risk Reduction: A View from the South-eastern Flank

In September 2022, BASIC held a track 1.5 workshop in Sofia to discuss risk and threat assessments in South-eastern and Northern Europe. The workshop is part of the two-year project ‘Phase 2: Applying a Systematic Approach to NATO-Russia Risk Reduction’ that BASIC is undertaking in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Event: The 2023 EVN Policy Cycle Launch

We are delighted to announce the virtual launch event of the Emerging Voices Network’s (EVN) new Policy Cycle themed ‘De-siloing Existential Threats: challenging identity, power, and inclusivity in the nuclear policy field’.

BASIC is Recruiting a Research Director

New vacancy: BASIC is Recruiting a Research Director Salary: £60,000 – £82,000 Terms: Permanent/Full Time…

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Summary of APPG Meeting: Safeguarding Civil Nuclear Facilities During Conflict

On Thursday 13th October 2022, the APPG on Global Security and Non-proliferation and the APPG on the United Nations jointly hosted an APPG meeting on ‘Safeguarding Civil Nuclear Facilities During Conflict’, chaired by Lord Hannay of Chiswick.

Report: Managing Resources and Sea Routes in the Arctic

In this report, Dr Gry Thomasen argues that avoiding or mitigating conflict over resources and the sea routes in the Arctic is crucial for a peaceful Arctic in the future.

Report: Prioritising People in the Arctic

In this report, Dr Chiara Cervasio and Eva-Nour Repussard address existing and emerging threats to human security in the Arctic and investigate the utility of different risk reduction measures in mitigating such risks.

Latest Analysis

We provide analysis on the latest debates in the field of nuclear disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation.

Where You Stand Is Where You Sit: Language and Perception in the Programme on Nuclear Responsibilities

In the last of our series on nuclear responsibilities in the Asia-Pacific, Ruhee Neog highlights the centrality of making the linguistic move from claims to be acting as a ‘responsible nuclear state’ to the responsibilities in practice that follow from possessing nuclear weapons.

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The Future Just Ain’t What it Used to Be: Emerging Trends and their Impact On the Future of Nuclear Weapons Policy and International Security

Putin’s apparent willingness to introduce nuclear weapons in a non-nuclear war is a watershed moment with implications beyond Europe and the West. In this article, Rishi Paul looks to Russia’s recent behaviour as a lens to understand what the future might hold in store, and draw out the potential implications for international security.

Dumping “Disposable” Reactors in the Sea Should be a Non-Starter

Chris Spedding argues that developing and testing autonomous nuclear-propulsion reactors for aerial or subsea munitions will lead to a real risk of radiological exposure and contamination, with lethal consequences.

Latest Publications

Report: Risks and Risk Reduction: A View from the South-eastern Flank

Report: Canadian Submarine Recapitalization in the Context of Climate Change

This report argues that climate change will exacerbate the challenges Canada faces in the recapitalisation of the Victoria-class submarine fleet.

Report: Managing Resources and Sea Routes in the Arctic

In this report, Dr Gry Thomasen argues that avoiding or mitigating conflict over resources and the sea routes in the Arctic is crucial for a peaceful Arctic in the future.

Latest Events

Event: The 2023 EVN Policy Cycle Launch

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Event: Risk Reduction in the Arctic

BASIC is organising an online conference on Risk Reduction in the Arctic, on Thursday 10th November 2022.

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Event: Nuclear Responsibilities at Sea

BASIC and ICCS are organising an online roundtable with young professionals and experts to discuss maritime risk reduction in the Asia Pacific through the Nuclear Responsibilities Approach.

Explore our Programmes

BASIC believes in making progress on nuclear disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation through multiple complementary approaches. We continuously develop our programmes – streams of research – through sustained engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, collectively searching for the art of the possible.

Our current programmes are listed below.

Risk Reduction

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The Stepping Stones Approach to Nuclear Disarmament

APPG on Global Security and Non-Proliferation

Transatlantic Security

Technological Risk

Nuclear Responsibilities

Nuclear Disarmament

Inclusive International Security

We think, we write

BASIC is developing new approaches to overcome states’ dependency on the doctrine of nuclear deterrence, which blocks global nuclear disarmament and drives proliferation. We engage diverse perspectives, encourage empathy across states, and broaden the context of debate. We have an established reputation for non-partisan, non-judgemental, cross-cultural engagement and for seeking common ground.

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Our distinctive practice — developed over thirty years — uses sustained and inclusive diplomacy, active listening and empathy to transform some of the world’s most dangerous nuclear stalemates. But we can’t do it without you.

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