There was overwhelming momentum seen in 2010 on the international stage with numerous initiatives on arms control, nuclear non-proliferation, and disarmament. Unfortunately, this momentum was not as evident in 2011, as it seemed as though the international focus had shifted. Nevertheless, BASIC’s tempo was itself maintained into 2011 as we attempted to play our role in returning the focus to effective efforts to achieve nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament in the United Kingdom, United States, Middle East, and Europe.
Publication
Nuke Abolition: Modernisation of Atomic Arsenal Acquiring Priority
BASIC's publication, “Beyond the United Kingdom,” has been summarized and quoted in this Global Perspectives article. The original report, authored by Ian Kearns, outlines trends among nuclear weapon states and addresses global security issues which may drive nuclear proliferation.
A Visit to Moscow: Disarmament, Arms Control, the Role of Nuclear Weapons, and NATO-Russia Strategic Dialogue
From 28-30 November 2011, BASIC executive director Paul Ingram travelled to Moscow and participated in several meetings on nuclear arms control with a focus on tactical nuclear weapons, in order to reach out to Russian officials and parliamentarians to discuss next steps in arms control and disarmament.
The Future of NATO’s Nuclear Weapons
Amb. Rolf Nikel explains Germany's approach to questions surrounding tactical nuclear weapons based in Europe in light of NATO's Strategic Concept, and Deterrence and Defense Posture reviews.
Beyond the UK: Trends in the Other Nuclear Armed States
This first BASIC Trident Commission briefing outlines recent worrying developments in the nuclear force structures of the world’s nuclear armed states. It argues that “the evidence points to a new era of global nuclear force modernisation and growth”.
Workshop on WMD-free zone in Middle East
Plans are afoot for a major conference next year on a WMD Free Zone in the Middle East. BASIC held a small workshop in Malta for officials and experts in the region on the key issues involved, and here we publish the facilitator’s key issues from the meeting.
Revising NATO’s Nuclear Posture: The Way Forward
Dr Oliver Meier argues that NATO’s Strategic Concept did not live up to the expectations put forward earlier under U.S. President Barack Obama’s Prague Agenda. Meier proposes four steps that the Alliance should take through the ongoing Deterrence and Defense Posture Review (DDPR) in order to improve its nuclear stance.
NATO’s Nuclear Posture and Burden Sharing Agreements: an Italian Perspective
BASIC in cooperation with the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) hosted a roundtable in Rome on June 15, 2011 to explore the issue of “NATO’s Nuclear Posture and Burden Sharing Arrangements: an Italian Perspective.”