The NPT is the corner-stone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. The NPT Review Conference in May 2010 was a key moment for the global debate around nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and the agreement at its conclusion sets the framework for international negotiations over the period 2010 to 2015.
Analysis
New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)
Signed by Presidents Obama and Medvedev on April 8, 2010, New START replaces the 1991 START treaty limiting U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapon systems. The agreement introduces lower ceilings for the numbers of deployed warheads and delivery systems, and continues many of the necessary verification procedures. New START entered into force on February 5, 2011.
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Treaty text (U.S. State Department)
Strategic Dialogue External Resources
External Resources:
BASIC NEWS: OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2012
BASIC Update from October to December 2012: BASIC Trident Commission ; WMD Free Zone in the Middle East ; Strategic Dialogue
This Week – Looking to the Year Ahead
This week there is much wrangling within the media about the likely appointment of former Senator Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense. As a politician apparently immune to the usual herd instinct and the pressures of the lobbyists, such lobbyists are attempting to block the possible appointment. Some whisper the principal reason lies in his belief that a military attack on Iran would be a mistake.
NATO’s Nuclear Posture: Publications and Resources
NATO’s Nuclear Posture Publications
Evidence Submitted by Tim Hare
December 2012
Tim Hare submitted evidence to the Trident Commission, entitled 'The US nuclear guarantee, and possible future threats', answering the following scenarios and questions:
1. Possible future credible threats (capability and intention) to UK and allies that would not sufficiently involve the US, and would not be deterrable by other means
2. Probability that a US nuclear guarantee can be relied upon into the foreseeable future
Iran Update 164
- Iranian officials meeting with IAEA delegation today
- International concern over developments at Bushehr
- Iran displays ‘downed’ ScanEagle drone
- Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak to resign
- Associated Press publishes inaccurate document that claims to show advanced nuclear program