Foreign & Security Policy

"At the heart of the problem is the existence of two competing logics for how arms control discussions in the Middle East should proceed: immediate focus on the elimination of Israel’s assumed nuclear weapons (Egypt’s view), or dealing first with the very problematic context of inter-state relations in the Middle East, creating essential channels of communication and dialogue, and establishing a basis of mutual confidence and trust (Israel’s view)."

Besides threats to effectiveness, the multilateral export control system for nuclear weapons faces a separate challenge of political will and legitimacy.

Ben Coetzee reminds "that the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons were left unchecked and unregulated until it reached a point where it is costing the world billions of dollars to mitigate the damage caused by these weapons."

The global system of nuclear security has many gaps and weaknesses. Des Browne points out why Russia is a key player and what needs to be concentrated on at the Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands in 2014.

"In May 2010, the 189 members of the Review Conference to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons endorsed holding a Middle East Conference (MEC) in 2012 whose aim would be to create a zone in the Middle East 'free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of destruction' (WMD)."

"At its simplest, evolution in this field seems to be responsive to two sets of forces in the environment: the economics of fear and the economics of economics."

Dealing with Non-stated armed groups (NSAGs) is a highly complex job. For that reason, this article tries to conceptualize the special arms issue and deliver internvetion points.

Are we in need for new ethics in warfare? Current military technologies enable unmanned drones and killer robots to cause heavy damage, however are far from regulation.

Nuclear reductions on both, the American and Russian side are part of the New START Treaty. The details about the number of warheads,  missiles and bombers remain a diplomatic struggle, though.