Three Perspectives on Determining National Nuclear Posture

The United Kingdom, United States, and France are approaching a time at which important, but difficult decisions will have to be taken over the future of their national nuclear deterrents. Just as each nation faces a unique set of questions and challenges, each nation responds to them in a unique manner.

In producing a sustainable yet effective nuclear posture, each state adopts decision-making processes which reflect the structures, stakeholders, and perceptions that define their individual circumstances. To shed some light on these processes, and their influence on national nuclear postures in the past, present, and future, UK PONI's Autumn Seminar brought together the following high-level officials from each state:

Mr Julian Miller, UK Deputy National Security Adviser, Foreign and Defence Policy

Dr Brad Roberts, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy

Mr Alexis Morel, Advisor, Policy Planning Staff, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France

These panellists gave a rare and detailed insight into the specific processes each nation goes through when defining their national nuclear posture, and the challenges they expect to encounter in the future. Following these presentations were followed by a question and answer session and an informal wine reception in which attendees could discuss the issues raised.