Reading the initial news chatter suggesting Des Browne is to be replaced at the Ministry of Defence with John Hutton, I am filled with dismay. Des Browne is famous within our arms control community for the speech he gave at the Conference on Disarmament earlier this year and referenced earlier in this blog, at which he proposed a technical disarmament conference of the P5. As a defense secretary Des has been uniquely sympathetic to the more holistic, global perspective, whilst also winning the support of the military (when initially they were suspicious).
Majority of UK voters now against Trident replacement
I have no doubt that the latest opinion poll published this evening by the Guardian reflects the significant media coverage that Trident replacement has seen recently, as well as the cracking of the ranks at the very top of all three principal parties around replacement. This is very encouraging for those looking for public interest in the recent discussions over moves towards a world free of nuclear weapons:
Iran and Kissinger
Henry Kissinger has just delivered another important speech, this week at the Munich conference. It contains a number of important challenges to anyone involved in the nuclear debate. One he rightly focuses on is Iran as a major puzzle within the necessary moves towards zero:
US General says UK to get rid of Trident
The statement from Gen Jack Sheehan that the UK government is about to give up its nuclear deterrent took some by surprise over here in London when it was broadcast as part of Gordon Corera's fascinating report on BBC's prime-time World Tonight radio programme. No one has seriously suggested this likelihood beyond some vague hope, not anytime in the very near future at any rate. There is too much political baggage here for the Labour Party for logical consideration. What would a US General know about UK government intentions?
British Generals speak out against the UK deterrent
In a letter published in today's London Times, three generals (Field Marshal Lord Bramall, General Lord Ramsbotham and General Sir Hugh Beach) spoke out strongly against the replacement of Trident, urging the government instead to properly resource conventional capabilities.
Politics around US tactical nuclear weapons in European host states
Though there is growing pressure on the US and NATO member states for the end of nuclear sharing, governments are reluctant to appear to challenge the relevance of the Alliance. The NATO Strategic Concept review is an opportunity to come up with more valuable measures that demonstrate commitment.
Bob Gates looks for continuity
If a forthcoming Foreign Affairs article, authored by the outgoing/incoming Secretary of State for Defense is anything to go by, it will be business as usual at the Pentagon… or Obama and his White House staff can look forward to a rocky relationship with his Defense Secretary.
Israel and the US: Nuclear weapons agreements
A recent article in Haaretz outlines previous agreements between US Presidents and Israel that sought to protect the Israeli nuclear deterrent from any possible US arms control proposals for the Middle East. Israel is now concerned that President Obama will not honor these informal arrangements, and is looking for reassurance that the supply of military technology will continue.