Foreign & Security Policy

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.

A chain of events could lead to a new scenario of arms build-up in international politics. Russia is upgrading its conventional fire power while some NATO members think about improved nuclear deterrence.

Building and keeping peace is intrinsically tied to disarmament and arms control. Thus international trade and flow of weapons needs to be monitored when human rights and security are endangered.

The 4th Japanese-German Dialogue tries to strengthen the new strategic NATO-Japan partnership by identifying areas of mutual Japanese – German security interests and practical cooperation.