NATO’s nuclear posture is scheduled to undergo a significant modernization over the next decade that involves upgrading both the nuclear weapons and delivery vehicles. The modernization will significantly increase the military capabilities of NATO’s nuclear posture in Europe. The modernization plan contradicts key elements of the Deterrence and Defense Posture Review (DDPR).
Programmes
The E3+3 discuss Iran after release of IAEA report
On Wednesday, Catherine Ashton, will host representatives from the E3+3 (P5+1: US, UK, China, Russia, France, and Germany) in Brussels to discuss continued efforts to find a diplomatic solution to discourage Iran from augmenting its nuclear program. Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has facilitated meetings between the E3+3 and Iran since 2009, which have so far yielded limited results.
Nuclear Modernization: What Does It Mean And What Is Required for U.S. Security?
BASIC held its third Strategic Dialogue on Capitol Hill, this time with expert speakers Ambassador Linton Brooks and Hans Kristensen.
What will be the fate of the Helsinki Conference?
An announcement is widely expected this week that the intergovernmental conference in Helsinki, on the establishment of a nuclear and WMD-free Zone in the Middle East, will be postponed.
Hans Kristensen and Linton Brooks at third BASIC Strategic Dialogue
Amb. Linton Brooks from the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Hans Kristensen from the Federation of American Scientists engaged in a discussion on “Nuclear modernization”: What does it mean and what is required for U.S. security? at the third BASIC strategic dialogue held at the Capitol Hill Club on November 13, 2012.
Evidence submitted by the Nuclear Information Service – Aug 2012
August 2012
The Nuclear Information Service (NIS) submitted a redacted copy of the Defence Nuclear Executive Board's risk register for the defence nuclear programme, provided by the Ministry of Defence and an unredacted verision of the risk register by NIS detailing views as to the key risks which the Trident replacement programme will face over the years and decades ahead.
Nuclear weapons beyond the election
The U.S. election season now draws to a close, and as expected, not too much was made of nuclear weapons during the presidential race. The economy, and near the end of the campaign season the mega-storm in the northeast, overshadowed almost all other issues.
Istanbul Workshop Final Report: Preparing for the Helsinki conference on a Middle East Nuclear and WMD-free zone
This is the final report to come out of a roundtable workshop held by BASIC in Istanbul on October 24-25th, 2012 on preparing for the Helsinki conference on nuclear and WMD-free zone in the Middle East. Participants included Jaakko Laajava, facilitator for the Conference on a nuclear and WMD-free zone in the Middle East, and senior officials and experts from the region and beyond.