Nuclear Nonproliferation

During the Cold War, policy makers and scholars worried that nuclear weapons would proliferate widely—yet, after all this time, there remain relatively few nuclear powers. Today, the nonproliferation regime faces challenges from unrecognized nuclear states like North Korea and other rogue regimes like Iran. The international community must continue to limit the spread of nuclear weapons, while the United States works to assure nuclear-proliferation compliant allies of the integrity of the US nuclear umbrella.

Content

New Atlanticist

Jul 15, 2015

The Iran nuclear deal is not in the US national interest

By Matthew Kroenig

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed July 14 between Iran and the P5+1 puts verifiable limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Assuming Tehran abides by the terms of the accord, Iran will not be able to build nuclear weapons for the lifetime of the deal, but the agreement presents […]

Iran National Security

In the News

Jul 14, 2015

Burns: The Deal Is Historic, But The United States Must Now Act to Contain Iran

By Nicholas Burns

Atlantic Council Board Member Nicholas Burns writes for the Financial Times on the need for international cooperation to contain Iranian nuclear development:

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

In the News

Jul 8, 2015

Saab on Concerns About a Nuclear Iran

By Bilal Y. Saab

National Defense Magazine quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on why concerns about a nuclear Iran will remain even if an accord is reached:

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation
Military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in World War II, May 9, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 1, 2015

A Nuclear Conflict with Russia is Likelier Than You Think

By Max Fisher, Vox

There is a growing chorus of political analysts, arms control experts, and government officials who are sounding the alarm, trying to call the world’s attention to its drift toward disaster. The prospect of a major war, even a nuclear war, in Europe has become thinkable, they warn, even plausible.

NATO Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Jun 30, 2015

Nuclear Credibility: What the United States Lost in Ukraine and Pakistan and the Implications for the Iran Deal

By Ben Polsky

As the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 powers continue on past the June 30 deadline, the focus remains on the details of an agreement and whether the negotiators can come to a final resolution. But even as these details continue to be debated, it is important to consider the bigger picture – whether […]

Nuclear Nonproliferation Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jun 25, 2015

Nuclear Expert Outlines India’s ‘Command and Control’ Policy

By Larry Luxner

Retired Brigadier Arun Sahgal, one of India’s top experts on nuclear policy, reasserted his country’s “no first use” doctrine in a June 23 presentation to the Atlantic Council. Sahgal, Director of the New Delhi-based Forum for Strategic Initiative, doesn’t represent official thinking, but he spoke from thirty-six years of experience in the Indian Army. “India’s […]

China India
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, June 24, 2015

NATOSource

Jun 25, 2015

NATO to Review Policy on Nuclear Weapons Because Russian Rhetoric is Lowering Nuclear Threshold

By Ewen MacAskill, Guardian

Nato, in an echo of the cold war, is preparing to re-evaluate its nuclear weapons strategy in response to growing tension with Russia over Ukraine, sources at the organisation have said.

NATO Nuclear Nonproliferation

Congressional Relations

Jun 24, 2015

US News and World Report Features Event with Rep. Thornberry

By Atlantic Council

US News and World Report quotes Representative Mac Thornberry from an Atlantic Council event, A Strategy for America, on the need to discuss America’s nuclear supply:

Nuclear Nonproliferation Security & Defense

Event Recap

Jun 23, 2015

India’s nuclear command and control and its implications for strategic stability in South Asia

By Nazia Khan

On June 23, Brigadier (ret’d) Arun Sahgal spoke to the Atlantic Council about the principles shaping India’s nuclear command and control structure. Now serving as the director of the Forum for Strategic Initiative, Sahgal does not represent the official Indian position, but spoke from over 36 years of experience in the Indian Army. He focused […]

India Nuclear Nonproliferation
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, June 22, 2015

NATOSource

Jun 23, 2015

Secretary of Defense Carter: US and NATO Will Counter Russia’s ‘Efforts to Undermine Strategic Stability’

By Ashton Carter, Department of Defense

At a time when some have suggested our relationship is suffering from a crisis and others have questioned the staying power of our partnership, we know better.

Germany NATO

Experts