Fear of Russian action and US inaction is increasingly motivating European states to propose alternative forms of nuclear ‘deterrence’ for the continent. But, argue Ian Davis and Tytti Erästö, European states should first question the outdated and dangerous framings and flawed logics of nuclear weapons that they inherited from the Cold War. On 02 March … Continue reading The Dangerous Logic of Europeanizing Nuclear Deterrence
Drawing Circles: Reflections on Hiroshima Day and European rearmament
Eighty years on from the nuclear devastation of Hiroshima, the UK and Europe are rearming at breakneck pace, including with more US nuclear weapons. Kirsten Bayes reflects on the waning of arms controls and the rise of the politics of distraction and demonization, suggesting three crucial responses. During my teenage years in 1980s rural Essex, … Continue reading Drawing Circles: Reflections on Hiroshima Day and European rearmament
Dialogue across Divides: Pugwash’s contribution to sustainable security
Civil society organisations can and do have a significant role to play in building sustainable security. The story of Pugwash, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organisation that deals with issues at the intersection of science and policy, highlights the importance of dialogue across divides in building sustainable security. As part of our series ‘Stories of People- … Continue reading Dialogue across Divides: Pugwash’s contribution to sustainable security
‘Organised irresponsibility’: How Britain’s defence strategy clings to a bygone world
The UK's new Strategic Defence Review is another example of the government talking tough while failing to make tough choices. Mary Kaldor and Luke Cooper argue that the SDR strategizes for a bygone age, in which the US was a dependable ally rather than a threat to European democracy. The German sociologist, Ulrich Beck, coined … Continue reading ‘Organised irresponsibility’: How Britain’s defence strategy clings to a bygone world
SDR 2025: America First, Last and Everything
The UK's new Strategic Defence Review is a squib. Not because its ambitions are under-funded, but because its ambitions centre on keeping the MAGA state engaged in European defence at any cost. Richard Reeve argues for an urgent and open national conversation that confronts the unsustainable and unstable myths at the heart of UK security policy.
Lessons from the Anti-nuclear Movement of the 1980s
In an era of polycrisis and realignment, what can we learn from the successes of the European peace movement in the 1980s? Martin Shaw argues for a new security politics of the left that mobilises citizens, civil society and parties to link peace, politics and democracy for a Europe whole, free and equal.
The Case for Parliament to Scrutinise the UK’s Nuclear Weapons Programme
Increased UK military spending is in the political spotlight but the huge and increasing proportion that is spent on nuclear weapons is not. Steve Barwick and Tim Street make a compelling and urgent case for much greater scrutiny of the UK nuclear weapons programme by Parliamentary Committees.
Europe needs a new Nuclear Forces Reduction Treaty rather than a Eurobomb
With huge uncertainties in the relationship between the United States, Russia and NATO, Europe is awash with proposals to share, ‘extend’ or procure nuclear weapons. To avoid further proliferation and the inevitable catastrophic failure of ‘deterrence’, Ian Davis and Paul Ingram argue for an urgent revival of nuclear disarmament between Europe and Russia.
Bridge to Nowhere: UK security strategy in the ruins of Atlantis
As Western security alliances fragment, Richard Reeve charts the implications for the UK’s most fundamental strategic assumptions, and makes the case for ‘thinking beyond the unthinkable’ in the government’s next National Security Strategy.
Tackling global security risks in the second Trump era
The return of Donald Trump to the US presidency undermines efforts to tackle urgent global security risks such as nuclear weapons and climate change. Dr Stuart Parkinson gives an overview of the problems and assesses how best to respond.
Nuclear Secrecy: The UK’s common agenda with Russia and North Korea
The UK is in denial about the legacy of its Cold War nuclear weapons testing programmes as well as about the potential impact of a future nuclear war. Sean Howard sees bad faith in the new UK government’s voting record at the UN’s disarmament committee and some unsavoury partners in its campaign to maintain nuclear secrecy.
Beyond the SDR: From strength abroad to a secure and peaceful home
The UK’s new government is looking for ways to be stronger abroad, but is that any way to build a more secure country and society? Diana Francis argues that the government will make things worse by pushing for military dominance and failing to address the climate and ecological emergency that threatens us all.