By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN (IDN) – Keeping humans in control of autonomous weapons and artificial intelligence is an important element of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ action plan to implement the Agenda for Disarmament, Securing Our Common Future, presented in May 2018. “Essentially, the question is whether we are in control of technology or whether, ultimately, […]
New Report on Arms Control and the Convergence of Biology and Emerging Technologies
By Jaya Ramachandran BERLIN | STOCKHOLM (IDN) – A new report has warned of the risks and challenges posed by the interaction of developments in biotechnology and advances in three emerging technologies: additive manufacturing (AM or so-called 3D printing), artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) cautions […]
Countering Challenges Affecting Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
Viewpoint by Izumi Nakamitsu The following are extensive excerpts from remarks by Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), at the International Conference on ‘Capturing Technology. Rethinking Arms Control’ in Berlin on 15 March 2019. BERLIN (IDN-INPS) – Many of us feel a growing sense of unease about the challenges rapid […]
Overdue Ban on a Faction of the Nepalese Communist Party
By Ajit Kumar Singh This article is the fifth in a series of joint productions of South Asian Outlook and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship of the International Press Syndicate. The writer is Research Fellow, Institute for Conflict Management. NEW DELHI (IDN) – The Nepal Cabinet during a meeting on March 12, 2019, decided to ban the Netra […]
UN Chief Emboldens the ‘Fridays for Future’ Climate Movement
By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – “My generation has failed to respond properly to the dramatic challenge of climate change. This is deeply felt by young people. No wonder they are angry,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres in an opinion piece for The Guardian, in the wake of unprecedented March 15 demonstrations by schoolchildren […]
Reflections on Evolving International Security Landscape
Viewpoint by A.L.A. Azeez The writer is Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva. GENEVA (IDN) – The security landscape in most regions, as well as globally in general, is becoming increasingly constrained by the day. It is, therefore, timely to reflect on some trends and developments in the international […]
Upsurge in Middle East Arms Imports Amid Upswing in Global Weapons Trade
By Jaya Ramachandran BERLIN | STOCKHOLM (IDN) – Global arms trade is on the upswing with the United States increasing dominance in the group of five largest exporters including Russia, France, Germany and China, which together account for 75 per cent of the total volume of weapons exports in 2014-2018. While the Middle East imports […]
Mexico: A Growing Global Crisis of Confidence
By Bill Dahl* At least one child dies from a residential home fire every day. Another three hundred are injured as a result of fire. However, before the fire breaks out, there’s something smoldering before it bursts into flames. The same is true with the economic sectors of nations. In this article, we examine two […]
Strategic Realities Impeding Nuclear Disarmament
Viewpoint by Sergio Duarte The writer is President of Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, and a former UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. He was president of the 2005 Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference. NEW YORK (IDN) – The advent of weapons of mass destruction, in particular the nuclear weapon, was the most dramatic […]
New Study Shows Ups and Downs in Gender Equality
By Caroline Mwanga NEW YORK (IDN) – This year’s International Women’s Day on March 8 has been celebrated on an unprecedented scale by the United Nations and other inter-governmental organizations around the world. And, a new analysis shows improvements in gender equality. But there is a rather long way to go until gender parity has […]