BASIC is organising an online conference on Risk Reduction in the Arctic, on Thursday 10th November 2022.
In depth thinking
BASIC provides expert analysis and commentary on selective contemporary debates in strategic affairs. To do this, we engage diverse perspectives, encourage empathy across states, and broaden the context of debate. We have an established reputation for non-partisan, non-judgmental, cross-cultural engagement and for seeking common ground.
We aim to make our writing readable and interesting to both experts and the general public, cutting through jargon and democratising debate. If you’d like to write for us, contact us here.
To browse our analysis thematically, visit our Programmes.
Latest Analysis
BASIC publishes on a range of nuclear policy issues, beyond the reach of our Programmes, and we welcome contributions from guest authors and contributors.
Staff Picks
Below, we select some of our favourite pieces which we think you should read:
BASIC Brief: Burevestnik
A BASIC Brief on Russia’s development of the Burevestnik nuclear powered cruise missile – what is it, how does it work, and does it change the strategic calculus?
Video: Humanitarian Impacts and the NPT: ‘One Year on from RevCon’
On Thursday 14th September, BASIC’s Emerging Voices Network (EVN) hosted a webinar event, on Humanitarian Impacts and the NPT: ‘One Year on from RevCon’, in collaboration with International Student Young Pugwash (ISYP) and IPPNW Students.
Video: Compendium Discussion: Crisis Communications: Indian and Pakistani Perspectives on Responsible Practices
On Wednesday 23rd August, the BASIC-ICCS Nuclear Responsibilities Programme, in collaboration with the Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research (CSSPR) and the Institute of Peace & Conflict Studies (IPCS), hosted a virtual roundtable discussion of the Compendium ‘Crisis Communications: Indian and Pakistani Perspectives on Responsible Practices’.
Emerging Voices Network (EVN) Code of Conduct
The EVN Team and EVN Board have developed the Emerging Voices Network (EVN) Code of Conduct, which sets out the standards of behaviour that are expected of all members to ensure a culture of safety, inclusion, and professionalism for all.
Vacancy: Programme Assistant
Terms: Part-time, one year contact with the possibility for extension; 6 month probation period Salary:…
Announcement: BASIC Becomes a Member of the Rethinking Security Network
BASIC is pleased to become a member of the Rethinking Security Network, a community of policymakers, academics, and civil society organisations thinking holistically about security policy can be shaped to be more equitable, just, and ecologically-grounded.
THIS MONTH’S THEME
The Trident Question
The UK’s continued possession of Trident is not assured. The programme faces running over far budget with knock-on effects to other areas of the budget, multiple emerging technological threats such as cyber weapons, and political risks including Scottish devolution. Each of these factors underlines the need for reasoned, respectful and open-minded debate on the future of the UK’s possession of nuclear weapons, and a willingness to explore alternative pathways to maintain British national security.
Programme Reports
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-judgmental, cross-cultural engagement and for seeking common ground.
Anthology: De-siloing Existential Threats: Challenging Identity, Power, and Inclusivity in the Nuclear Policy Field
Read the Emerging Voices Network’s (EVN) latest report, in which five EVN Working Groups provide a range of policy recommendations and valuable insights into the current challenges and issues that concern emerging researchers and young professionals in the nuclear policy field.
Report: Regional Youth Perspectives on the NPT Review Process
Nine early career leaders from across the globe steered an early-career / youth consultation on the NPT review processes over the past four months. The aim of this project was to explore the regional barriers to, as well as opportunities for engagement of early career professionals with the NPT.
Report: Nuclear Medicine Technologies for Global Health
In 2022, BASIC, the University of Bristol, Imperial College London, The Open University and Rolls-Royce jointly convened a multistakeholder roundtable. After the policy case explored in the first roundtable in 2021, the purpose of the 2022 roundtable was to identify whether there were technologies that might conceivably meet the policy case.
Compendium: Crisis Communications: Indian and Pakistani Perspectives on Responsible Practices
‘Crisis Communications: Indian and Pakistani Perspectives on Responsible Practices’ is a compendium of essays written by Indian and Pakistani nuclear policy experts and journalists that explore how the two countries can communicate in ways that help prevent crisis escalation at different levels of interaction. Edited by Rabia Akhtar, Chiara Cervasio, Ruhee Neog, Alice Spilman, and Nicholas J. Wheeler.
Report: Exploring Nuclear Risk Reduction Pathways in Southern Asia through Nuclear Responsibilities
In March 2023, BASIC and the Institute for Conflict, Cooperation and Security (ICCS) at the University of Birmingham organised ‘Nuclear Responsibilities and Nuclear Crises in Southern Asia: Preventing Escalation through a Responsibility-Based Regime in the Asia-Pacific’. Read the report here.
Report: Nuclear Responsibilities at Sea
In November 2022, BASIC and ICCS organised ‘Nuclear Responsibilities at Sea: Exploring Policy Proposals for Maritime Risk Reduction in the Asia Pacific’. Read the report and the policy proposals that emerged from the dialogue.