President Obama’s foreign policy speech in Berlin yesterday, in which he set out his highly-anticipated second term nuclear agenda, calls on us to change the way we think about European security and the direction in which we want to travel.
Nuclear posture
What comes next for U.S. nuclear weapons policy?
This Wednesday, President Obama is slated to give his next big foreign policy speech at the historically significant Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. It was at this Gate – an enduring symbol of both the division and subsequent unity of East and West Berlin – that Ronald Reagan urged then-General Secretary of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, to “tear down this wall” in 1987, and President Clinton spoke of a free and unified Berlin in 1994, following the end of the Cold War.
Beyond the Trident Alternatives Review
This brief, authored by Dr. Nick Ritchie, outlines opportunities and challenges arising from the UK government's ongoing Trident Alternatives Review. This briefing critiques weaknesses within the current thinking around Trident, outlines the key issues that need to be addressed, and highlights the opportunities that Britain has to demonstrate leadership on nuclear disarmament. Ritchie claims that this is a unique opportunity in the UK for an informed debate and addresses the key questions:
Nuclear Deterrence Summit: February 19-22
BASIC partnered with the Exchange Monitor to host a panel discussion during the Annual Nuclear Deterrence Summit in Arlington, Virginia, February 19-22, 2013.
Roundtable on British policy towards NATO’s nuclear posture
BASIC hosted a private roundtable on the United Kingdom\’s approach to NATO\’s nuclear posture after Chicago 2012 and nuclear deployments in Europe. Post-Chicago Summit analyses seem to agree that whilst a clear consensus on the general thrust of NATO’s nuclear policy was achieved, it is unclear how long this will pertain.
Nuclear Deterrence Summit
BASIC is partnering with the Exchange Monitor to host a panel discussion during the Annual Nuclear Deterrence Summit in Arlington, Virginia, February 19-22, 2013.
Strategic Dialogue on Nuclear Weapons Spending: What Does the United States Need and Why?
BASIC held its fourth Strategic Dialogue event, asking Dr. Christopher Ford (Hudson Institute) and Amb. Steven Pifer (Brookings Institution) to reflect on how the United States should approach possible spending cuts to its nuclear forces.
The event was held in the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC, for House and Senate staff members on January 18, 2013. BASIC would like to thank the House Armed Services Committee for venue access.
Listen to the event below.
Modernizing NATO’s Nuclear Forces
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).