Proliferation and Nuclear Policy

The Proliferation and Nuclear Policy team's current research work focuses on: countering proliferation finance and the sanctions regimes imposed to address proliferation threats; the structure, operations, and evasion tactics of proliferation networks; North Korean illicit activities, including WMD and missile development and conventional arms trade; and CBRN security in India. In addition to these projects, the team regularly trains UK government and industry representatives in nuclear policy, and directs the UK Project on Nuclear Issues (UK PONI), an initiative to create a cross-generational network allowing young scholars and professionals to engage with established experts on contemporary nuclear issues. Furthermore, RUSI is the national lead for the high-level, US-UK-French Trilateral Nuclear Dialogues.

Outside of their ongoing research and engagement projects, the team maintains strong expertise in and publishes independent analysis on a wide variety of subjects, including:

• UK domestic nuclear debates;
• Nuclear energy issues;
• The characteristics and capabilities of nuclear weapon states;
• Deterrence dynamics, including between NATO and Russia;
• International disarmament and non-proliferation initiatives;
• The Iranian and North Korean nuclear programmes;
• Proliferation trends and tactics;
• Sanctions policies; and,
• Nuclear security.