On June 15th at 12pm BST/UK time, BASIC and the EVN will host the Launch Event of the EVN Youth Consultation on the 2023 PrepCom. Join us and our nine consultants to hear about regional barriers and opportunities for the NPT. Review Cycle.
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:
Event: Risk Reduction in the Arctic
BASIC is organising an online conference on Risk Reduction in the Arctic, on Thursday 10th November 2022.
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.
Masterclass from Laura Rose Brown and Adina Pintilie: Gender and Nuclear Weapons: From Theory to Practice
On Wednesday 26th April, Laura Rose Brown, Policy Fellow at BASIC and PhD student at the University of Leeds and Adina Pintilie, Programme Manager at Ridgeway explore gender and nuclear weapons.
Nuclear Diplomacy Crossroads: What Future for the Stockholm Initiative in the Eleventh NPT Review Cycle?
Between May 2022 and January 2023, BASIC and Emergent Change facilitated three roundtables on the Stepping Stones Approach. Read the report here.
EVN Townhall Meeting for the 2023 Early Career/Youth Consultation on the NPT PrepCom process
The EVN town hall meeting provided an excellent opportunity for early career professionals to voice their regional views and perspectives on the NPT PrepCom process. Watch the recording here
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.
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.
Our current programmes are listed below. To see our completed programmes, visit our archive.
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.
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.
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.
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.