The following weeks are likely to be challenging ones, domestically and internationally, for the Obama administration. While the interim deal over the Iranian nuclear programme has been welcomed as a positive first step by many in the international community and in arms control circles, US congressional support has been less full-throated.
USA
Britain in the world: Beyond Europe versus America
It is increasingly likely that the British people will be given a say on membership of the European Union by the end of the next Parliament. Although it remains to be seen whether this will take the form of an “in-out” referendum or a more limited “renegotiation” of the relationship between London and Brussels, the scene is set for a meaningful debate over Britain’s place in Europe and its role in the wider world.
Is Rouhani the real deal?
Negotiating parties in the E3+3 process meet again this Wednesday in Geneva to hammer out an initial agreement on specific limits to Iran’s nuclear program in return for limited sanctions relief. The last time the parties met just over a week ago hopes were high, but an early deal was blocked by France.

Cost and benefits to US strategic interests from UK renewal of Trident
BASIC’s last Strategic Dialogue on nuclear weapons was held on November 12 in Washington, DC.
P5+1 and Iran: finding common ground?
This week, representatives of Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States; plus Germany), also known as the E3+3, will meet in Geneva on Thursday and Friday in an attempt to make progress on resolving the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. Anticipation is now building for some clear signs that each side is agreeing to measures that will convince the other side of intentions to follow through on a long-term game plan.
US-UK Trident Nuclear Weapons Systems
This factsheet outlines the UK-US relationship on Trident and the specifications of each country’s systems.…
The Role of NATO in the French White Paper and Implications for Nuclear Arms Control
This paper examines the relationship that France has with NATO through its policy of nuclear deterrence in a European context, with a focus on France’s most recent “White Paper”.
Russia’s Multi-vector Nuclear Policy: a Hindrance to Disarmament
Today, Russia and the US possess approximately 95% of the world’s nuclear weapons, and bilateral nuclear relations between these two countries still constitute one of the main issues in global nuclear disarmament.