BASIC releases today a new report examining Trident in UK politics and public opinion on nuclear weapons, involving a comprehensive review of the polls over the last eight years and including two new polls released today. This comes on the eve of the publication of the government’s Trident Alternatives Report (TAR), to be published on Tuesday and debated in Parliament on Wednesday. The BASIC report is intended to complement the TAR with the political and public opinion context.
Programmes
New NATO Policy Publication: Countdown to Chaos?
NATO’s nuclear sharing program is in trouble. The United States has continuously maintained nuclear weapons in Europe since March 1954 (and NATO has agreed to this policy since December of that year). Since 1991, the only U.S. nuclear weapons in NATO’s arsenal have been B61 gravity bombs, designed for delivery to target by “dual-capable” fighter-bomber aircraft (DCA). These aircraft are rapidly reaching the end of their normal service lives, however, and are the only means by which NATO shares the threat of nuclear attack on potential opponents in times of crisis among several Allied nations.
Countdown to Chaos?: Timelines and Implications of Procurement Decisions for NATO’s Dual-Capable Aircraft
NATO's nuclear sharing program is in trouble. The United States has continuously maintained nuclear weapons in Europe since March 1954 (and NATO has agreed to this policy since December of that year). Since 1991, the only U.S. nuclear weapons in NATO’s arsenal have been B61 gravity bombs, designed for delivery to target by “dual-capable” fighter-bomber aircraft (DCA). These aircraft are rapidly reaching the end of their normal service lives, however, and are the only means by which NATO shares the threat of nuclear attack on potential opponents in times of crisis among several Allied nations.
It’s crunch time on Trident for Miliband and his party
Nick Ritchie's op-ed in the Guardian highlights the political decisions that need to be made following the release of the government's Trident Alternatives Review. Ritchie refers to his recent co-authored report with Paul Ingram, 'Trident in UK Politics and Public Opinion'.
Read the op-ed on the Guardian's website:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/17/crunch-trident-miliband-labour-statesmanship
Give us genuine nuclear choices
Paul Ingram was featured in the Letters section of the Evening Standard as he called for political leaders in the UK to consider genuine steps down the nuclear ladder after the release of the government's Trident Alternatives Review on July 16th.
Read the article by clicking the PDF link below.
Commentary on the UK Trident Alternatives Review
The government published its Trident Alternatives Review earlier today. This short briefing gives an immediate response. BASIC will later this year be publishing the results of the Trident Commission, considering the broader issues that form the context of the decision.
Today’s technical government review has highly political roots in the desire by Liberal Democrats to ask two key (strategic, political) questions:
Defence chiefs back Trident replacement as LibDems declare coalition dividing line
The Herald Scotland highlights the political divide over the government's Trident Alternatives Review. The article references BASIC's report, 'Trident in UK Politics and Public Opinion'.
Read the full article on the Herald Scotland's website:
Cutting back Britain’s nuclear submarine fleet would be huge gamble with the nation’s security, claims Defence Secretary
The Daily Record referenced BASIC's recent report, 'Trident in UK Politicis and Public Opinion', in this article which highlights the political divide on the Trident debate between the UK main parties.
Read the full article on the Daily Record's website:
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/cutting-back-britains-nuclear-submarine-2056750