This discussion paper is the fourth in a series and outlines the emergence of Britain's nuclear deterrence posture and thinking over the last seventy years, and how successive governments have sought to balance this with effective non-proliferation diplomacy. Professor Simpson's paper outlines the evolution of Britain's twin-track approach of trying to address its own national security whilst strengthening global security through multilateral nuclear disarmament, and asks whether this approach has a sustained future ahead.
Content Type
Deterrence, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and UK Trident
The BASIC Trident Commission is publishing its fourth briefing on Thursday, March 28. In this report, John Simpson outlines the emergence of Britain’s nuclear deterrence posture and thinking over the last seventy years, and how successive governments have sought to balance this with effective non-proliferation diplomacy.
Gulf states discuss non-proliferation, Iran, and the NPT
This week, BASIC is in Istanbul hosting our second conference on Nuclear Non-Proliferation in the Gulf. Decision shapers–including officials and experts–from the Gulf region, Iran, the UK, and the US are meeting to discuss the current state of global nuclear diplomacy and collective security in the region, the potential for nuclear proliferation in the Gulf and Middle East, the prospects of the establishment of a nuclear and WMD-free zone in the Middle East
Roundtable on Nuclear Non-Proliferation in the Gulf: Istanbul, 25-26 March 2013
BASIC is hosting its second annual meeting on nuclear non-proliferation in the Gulf this coming Monday and Tuesday. There will be a number of experts and officials attending from the region.
BASIC’s Executive Director, Paul Ingram, says: “States around the Gulf face daunting security challenges, and it is crucial they communicate clearly and unambiguously their intention to seek strong international regimes that prevent nuclear proliferation and strengthen regional security. This can only happen through open and honest dialogue.”
Iraq War anniversary and regional non-proliferation
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. On 19th March, 2003, U.S., U.K., Australian and Polish forces sent forces into Iraq on the grounds of ridding the country of—and preventing their further development of—weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Conference on Nuclear Non-Proliferation in the Gulf
BASIC hosted its second conference on Nuclear Non-Proliferation in the Gulf in Istanbul, Turkey on March 25-26, 2013.
BASIC News January – February 2013
The BASIC Trident Commission continued its deliberations on multiple aspects of the United Kingdom’s nuclear posture. Also in the first part of the year, BASIC organized sessions focused on U.S. nuclear weapons and extended deterrence in both London and Washington, engaging with a range of political and international perspectives.
Taking A Different Starting Point
In this opinion brief, Julie Rønbeck reflects on the Norwegian conference on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, which was held March 4-5. She also reviews the broader context for the event and civil society involvement.