Analysis

Read our latest commentary below

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.

Conventional Arms Control and Nuclear Security: The Challenge of Conventional Prompt Global Strike Weapons

Could Person-Centered Security be America’s Future?

Nuclear Responsibilities: A Chinese Perspective

Engagement without Recognition: A Pathway to China-India Risk Reduction Dialogue?

Hubris, Hypocrisy or Hedge?

Biden and No First Use: an Opportunity for the Taking

Staff Picks

Below, we select some of our favourite pieces which we think you should read:

Vacancy: Operations Manager

Read more here about the latest opportunity to join the BASIC team. Applications for BASIC Operations Manager close on 23 August 2021.

Vacancy: Finance Manager

Read more here about the latest opportunity to join the BASIC team. Applications for BASIC Finance Manager close 23 August 2021.

Conventional Arms Control and Nuclear Security: The Challenge of Conventional Prompt Global Strike Weapons

Guest author, Peter Rautenbach, explores the challenges of Conventional Prompt Global Strike (CPGS) weapons, and looks to arms control to mitigate the ensuing risks.

Could Person-Centered Security be America’s Future?

BASIC Policy Fellow, Emily Enright, explores President Biden’s security model, making the case for a Person-Centered approach to security moving forward.

BASIC Co-Director gives remarks at KAS Multilateral Dialogue and Atomic Reporters Study Programme Launch

On 7 July 2021 BASIC Co-Director, Sebastian Brixey Williams, was invited to give his remarks at the launch of the KAS Multilateral Dialogue and Atomic Reporters study programme, ‘A Neglected Story – The Legacy of Splitting the Atom.’

BASIC Co-Director Marion Messmer selected as Arms Control Negotiation Academy (ACONA) Fellow

We are delighted to share that BASIC Co-Director, Marion Messmer, has been selected for the Arms Control Negotiation Academy 2021-22 Fellowship.

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.

Report: How much does the UK spend on nuclear weapons?

Report: (Dis)Continuous Deterrence: Challenges to Britain’s Nuclear Doctrine

Report: Blowing up the Budget: The Cost Risk of Trident to UK Defence

Report: Hacking UK Trident: A Growing Threat

UK revokes ICJ jurisdiction over its nuclear weapons

The Implications of the Trident Test Failure

Looking for something specific?

BASIC is developing new approaches to overcome states’ dependency on the doctrine of nuclear deterrence, which blocks global nuclear disarmament and drives proliferation.

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.

Our current programmes are listed below. To see our completed programmes, visit our archive.

BASIC Policy Intern, Fabian Hoffmann, Publishes New Report on Cruise Missile Control in the Next National Security Strategy

BASIC Policy Intern, Fabian Hoffmann, has published an article with The Strategy Bridge on US…

BASIC Policy Intern, Fabian Hoffmann, Publishes New Report on Cruise Missile Proliferation

One of BASIC’s talented Policy Interns, Fabian Hoffmann, has published a report with the European…

Gender, Think-Tanks and International Affairs: a Toolkit

The Gender, Think-Tanks and International Affairs Toolkit has been jointly developed and published by BASIC,…

Report: Nuclear Responsibilities – A New Approach for Thinking and Talking about Nuclear Weapons

We seek in this report to suggest ways, and crucially propose a new method, to gradually shift the nature of the contemporary global conversation on nuclear weapons away from one characterised by rights, blame, and suspicion towards one framed by responsibility, empathic cooperation, and even trust.