This third briefing on Nuclear Security focuses on the Government’s announcement of the passing of the Initial Gate decision for the Trident renewal project on 18 May, 2011
Europe
Reducing the Role of Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Europe: Perspectives and Proposals on the NATO Policy Debate
This BASIC/ACA/IFSH report is the fruit of a year’s informal discussions involving policy makers and diplomats from key NATO member states, at events across Europe before and after the NATO Lisbon summit last November.
GAO reveals challenges ahead for U.S. commitments to NATO’s nuclear deployments
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has warned that the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) could be in danger of failing to meet B61 Life Extension Program (LEP) goals and leave the United States unable to support its tactical nuclear deployments that are assigned to NATO.
Time to slay another anachronism?
This week has already witnessed a great deal of jubilation around the world for the rooting out and killing of Osama bin Laden, with the usual army of armchair commentators giving divergent opinions as the importance this has to the global threat, the project that used to operate under the name ‘War on Terror’, and ongoing operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Roundtable on NATO´s Nuclear Deterrence and Defence: A Nordic perspective
BASIC and Peace Union of Finland will organize a roundtable in Helsinki on April 28th 2011. As part of a series of meetings organised in conjunction with the Arms Control Association and the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg the roundtable will explore the Northen European countries\’ perspective on NATO nuclear deterrence and defence.
The Time for NATO to Act is Now
Alliance Foreign Ministers meet near the end of this week, and whilst the media will be talking Libya and Afghanistan, Ministers will also be agreeing the work plan for NATO’s deterrence and defence posture review (DDPR), as well as the work of the newly-formed WMD Control and Disarmament Committee.
NATO’s Nuclear Deterrence Posture and Baltic Security
NATO is in the throes of a review of its deterrence and defence posture. BASIC and ICDS organised a roundtable on NATO’s nuclear deterrence policy in Tallinn on 15th March.
Missile defense and relations with Russia
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is in Moscow this week to meet with Russian officials and missile defense will be high on the agenda. NATO leaders agreed at the November summit to work together on missile defense against a possible future threat from the Middle East. NATO also agreed to consider cooperation with Russia.