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Evidence submitted by Sir David Omand, GBC. Visiting Professor, Department of War Studies, King’s College London

MAY 2011

We benefit from the collective security arrangements of the North Atlantic Alliance including a framework of deterrence extended from the US to its European allies. As a result, the future risk of the UK becoming engaged in conflict remains very low. However, we know how unpredictable the international security environment can turn out to be. Looking ahead several decades we could be surprised by new and unforeseen threats; thus, we have no objective justification for seeking major changes today in the collective security that our NATO membership provides.

Evidence submitted by Profs. Keith Barnham, David Caplin, Tom Kibble and Jenny Nelson, Imperial College London

MARCH 2011

British nuclear weapons have never had credible independent military value. They were acquired and have been maintained as an expensive exercise in political and diplomatic prestige; primarily to impress and influence allies rather than deter adversaries. Whether that approach was ever worthwhile is questionable, but it is certainly no longer valid.

Iran Update: Number 158

  • Verdict on first round of talks between P5+1 and Iran broadly positive; second round confirmed
  • Countries forced to ‘substantially’ cut down oil imports from Iran to avoid U.S. sanctions; Obama orders technology sanctions against Iran
  • Arrests made in connection to assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists

BASIC News: March – April 2012

BASIC made headlines this spring at a two-day conference in Doha on Nuclear Non-Proliferation in the Gulf and from the second BASIC Trident Commission report on the defense-industrial issues of the UK Trident nuclear weapons system.

Iran Update: Number 157

  • P5+1 formally agree to resume talks with Iran
  • Second IAEA visit to Tehran; Agency releases latest report on nuclear programme
  • Iran holds parliamentary elections; Khamenei supporters gain significant majority
  • Israeli leadership visit to Washington; Netanyahu and Obama in talks