By Lowana Veal REYKJAVIK (IDN) – It was widely believed that the U.S. military left Iceland in 2006 when they abandoned the base adjoining Iceland’s international airport at Keflavik on the southwest tip of the island. But recent developments, in particular the visit of U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence to Iceland in early September and perhaps […]
Russian Weapons Accident Raises Nuclear Concerns
By Greg Webb The writer is editor of Arms Control Today, the Arms Control Association’s flagship publication. WASHINGTON, DC (IDN-INPS) – An accidental explosion on Russia’s White Sea coast has triggered questions about the Kremlin’s strategic weapons development efforts and concerns that Russia may have shut down sensors to deny information to international observers. The […]
Need for Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty’s Entry into Force Reiterated
By Reinhard Jacobsen VIENNA (IDN) – Urgent calls to bring the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) into force as a key pillar of the international non-proliferation and disarmament framework marked the International Day against Nuclear Tests 2019 commemorated around the world on August 29 with ceremonies to remember the devastating consequences of nuclear tests. The Day […]
Grave Concern About US-Russian Actions Evoking Cold War
By Santo D. Banerjee NEW YORK (IDN) – While nuclear experts and peace advocates have expressed heightened concern about the collapse of the landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, the United States and Russia are trading accusations over breaching commitments and taking actions evoking Cold War era. The Treaty was signed by former U.S. President […]
UN Outreaches Youth with Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence
By Belen Bianco, UNODA NEW YORK (IDN-INPS) – The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) launched its youth outreach initiative on August 16. The first activity organized under this initiative brought together young people from across the New York area to UN Headquarters to join an expert-led discussion on the implications of artificial intelligence […]
Nuclear Arms Race Is Here
By Jessica Corbett * MAINE, USA (IDN) – Nuclear experts and disarmament advocates are warning that the world is witnessing a new arms race after the Pentagon tested a new missile August 18 that would have violated a Cold War-era treaty the Trump administration ditched earlier this month. After years of the U.S. government—under both […]
The Devastating Arms Race Rages Unabated
Viewpoint by Somar Wijayadasa* “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.” – U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower in ‘The Chance for Peace’ address in April 1953. NEW YORK (IDN) […]
Growing Concern about US-Russian Disarmament Treaties
By Jamshed Baruah NEW YORK (IDN) – In his agenda for disarmament, Securing Our Common Future, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres calls for reinvigorated dialogue, serious negotiations and a return to a common vision leading towards nuclear disarmament. Next year, over 190 States Parties will gather in New York for the 2020 Review Conference […]
NATO Chief Should Urge USA to Work with Russia For Arms Control
Viewpoint by Daryl G. Kimball The writer is Executive Director of the Arms Control Association. This article first appeared on July 15 on the organization’s website. WASHINGTO, DC (IDN-INPS) – Russian pursuit of the 9M729 intermediate-range missile, which is banned under the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, is unacceptable and merits a strong response. […]
New Report Warns of Resurfacing Nuclear Risks
By Jaya Ramachandran NEW YORK (IDN) – In the run-up to the 50th anniversary of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) in 2020, arms control experts have warned that “the risk of nuclear use is increasing and … critical nonproliferation and disarmament norms are eroding”. Assessing Progress on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament in 2016-2019, the Arms […]