James Byrne
Research Fellow
James
Research Fellow
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RUSI’s Proliferation and Nuclear Policy programme provides detailed analysis and research on contemporary nuclear weapons issues.
The research programme consists of two broad portfolios. The first, which deals with issues relating to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, focuses on: North Korean and Iranian nuclear diplomacy; countering proliferation finance and the sanctions regimes imposed to address proliferation threats; and the structure, operations, and evasion tactics of North Korean proliferation networks. The second, covering nuclear policy more broadly, involves research into: the UK’s nuclear weapons programme and its policies on arms control and deterrence; contemporary stresses on the non-proliferation regime, and UK policy towards it; and the effect of advanced conventional precision-strike capabilities on nuclear stability.
The team conducts a range of engagement activities alongside this research, foremost among which is the UK Project on Nuclear Issues (UK PONI), a cross-generational initiative that connects emerging nuclear scholars and professionals with established experts. Other important components include Track II dialogues, both discreet and public, in which capacity RUSI leads the UK component of the high-level, France/UK/US Trilateral Nuclear Dialogues. Proliferation and Nuclear Policy programme experts also train government, military and industry representatives in the UK and overseas on nuclear policy and nuclear technologies, and on best practices for countering proliferation finance.
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Latest
The UK, France and the US: Still Special Relationships
Commentary, 19 July 2019
Tom Plant
A yearly gathering of experts and think tanks from the world’s powers reiterates the values, interests and approaches which still bind them together in the nuclear sphere, notwithstanding current political differences.
Tags: United States, Americas, France, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Europe
"Tom Plant, director of proliferation and nuclear policy at the Royal United Services Institute, told Sky News Arabia that exceeding the maximum of "300 kg is technically meaningful when combined with all other restrictions on the Iranian nuclear program such as the level of enrichment, the number of centrifuges , The performance of centrifuges and so on. " "
Tom Plant on the Iran Nuclear Deal
In The News, 2 July 2019 Tags: Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
"You have to remember that both Trump's cabinet and the regime in Tehran have a history of using strong language in foreign policy. They are currently calling each other for bluffs on the one hand and on the other hand playing to audiences both international and domestic. "
Trump amenaza con usar "fuezra abrumadora" contra Iran, que da por cerrada via diplomatica
In The News, 26 June 2019 Tags: Iran, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Middle East and North Africa
Project Sandstone 3: On the Trail of the Tae Yang: AIS Spoofing and North Korean Coal Smuggling
Other Publications, 26 June 2019
Catherine Dill, Cameron Trainer, Joseph Byrne, Gary Somerville and James Byrne
This report examines how the Tae Yang has used sophisticated measures to avoid being tracked, possibly to conduct activities that contravene UN sanctions.
Tags: Project Sandstone, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
"Darya Dolzikova, research analyst for the proliferation and nuclear policy program at RUSI, discusses heightened U.S.-Iran tensions. "
Iran sanctions another tool in the US' toolbox, expert says
In The News, 25 June 2019 Tags: Iran, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Middle East and North Africa
"Any military intervention against Iran would result in a protracted destabilisation of the whole region. It would be very costly for the US and its Allies. "
Wojciech Pawlus on France 24
In The News, 14 June 2019 Tags: Iran, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Middle East and North AfricaPages
The UK, France and the US: Still Special Relationships
Commentary, 19 July 2019Tom Plant
A yearly gathering of experts and think tanks from the world’s powers reiterates the values, interests and approaches which still bind them together in the nuclear sphere, notwithstanding current political differences.
United States, Americas, France, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Europe
Hard Days for Europe’s Interests in Iran
Commentary, 10 June 2019Wojciech Pawlus
Europe needs to do more to save the Iranian nuclear deal.
Iran's Nuclear Programme, United States, Americas, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Europe
Risk of Nuclear Weapons Use Still Lower Than During Cold War
Commentary, 28 May 2019Sam Dudin
UN disarmament research chief incorrectly assesses the risk of nuclear war.
United Nations, UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Information, International Institutions
Reflections from the Non-Proliferation Treaty Preparatory Committee Meeting
Commentary, 16 May 2019Cristina Varriale
Our Research Fellow in proliferation and nuclear policy has just returned from the latest meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in an optimistic mood.
Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Britain’s Continuous at Sea Deterrent: Flawed Arguments by Disarmament Doves and Deterrence Hawks
Commentary, 9 May 2019Sam Dudin
There are flaws on both sides of the debate over the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent.
Equipment and Acquisitions, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Trident, UK, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK Defence, EuropePages
Project Sandstone 3: On the Trail of the Tae Yang: AIS Spoofing and North Korean Coal Smuggling
Other Publications, 26 June 2019Catherine Dill, Cameron Trainer, Joseph Byrne, Gary Somerville and James Byrne
This report examines how the Tae Yang has used sophisticated measures to avoid being tracked, possibly to conduct activities that contravene UN sanctions.
Project Sandstone, North Korea, Other Publications, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Guide to Conducting a National Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment
Other Publications, 13 May 2019Anagha Joshi, Emil Dall and Darya Dolzikova
Countering the financial flows available to state and non-state proliferators plays an important role in wider efforts to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Understanding...
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Counter-Proliferation Finance, AML/CTF, Other Publications, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
A Long Road to Denuclearisation: Challenges to Security-Based Diplomacy with North Korea
Occasional Papers, 6 December 2018Cristina Varriale
This paper sets out the case for a gradual, step-by-step approach to remove North Korea's nuclear weapons.
Occasional Papers, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
European Views on Leadership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and Recommendations for the UK
Conference Reports, 19 November 2018Cristina Varriale
On 18 October 2018, RUSI ran a workshop to discuss leadership in the context of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and how the UK could best contribute to its initiation or implementation.
United Nations, Conference Reports, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, International Institutions
The 2018 UK PONI Papers
Conference Reports, 18 October 2018Edited by Cristina Varriale
The 2018 UK PONI Papers examine contemporary civil and military nuclear issues and are written by emerging experts from academia, government and industry who presented at the 2018 UK Project on...
China, United States, Defence, Industries and Society, UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Conference Reports, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Trident, UK, Proliferation and Nuclear PolicyPages
UK PONI Annual Conference 2019
Conference, 13 June 2019Now its ninth year, the UK PONI Annual Conference is the premier national forum for the nuclear policy community to consider salient issues in the field and promote the emergence of a new generation...
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
UK PONI: SIGNAL Wargame
Events, 12 June 2019This event will allow participants to simulate conventional and nuclear conflict to better understand nuclear deterrence and escalation dynamics
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Rising Nuclear Risk, Disarmament and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Events, 16 May 2019Lord Howell, chair of the House of Lords International Relations Committee, will present the report of the Committees latest inquiry into nuclear disarmament and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
UK PONI Table Top Exercise
Events, 8 March 2019UK PONI will be running a nuclear disarmament simulation game for early- and mid-career nuclear experts.
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
UK PONI Workshop: Introduction to Nuclear Weapons Policy
Events, 11 February 2019UK Project on Nuclear Issues will host a one-day introductory workshop covering the basics of nuclear weapons policy for early career professionals.
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear PolicyPages
The US-Russia Nuclear Treaty Under Threat
Multimedia, 21 October 2018After reports that the USA may with from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, Professor Malcolm Chalmers, Deputy Director General of the Royal United Services Institute speaks to BBC news...
Tags: United States, Russia, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
The North Korean Nuclear Summit
Multimedia, 9 March 2018Tom Plant, Director, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy programme at RUSI on the proposed nuclear summit between North Korea and the US
Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
President Trump's Nuclear Button Tweet
Multimedia, 3 January 2018 Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
The Nuclear Ban Treaty in 2018
Multimedia, 21 December 2017Tom Plant, Director of RUSI's Proliferation and Nuclear Policy programme discusses the prospects for the Nuclear Ban treaty in 2018
Tags: Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Dealing with the Latest North Korea Missile Threat
Multimedia, 11 August 2017Following a war of words between US President Donald Trump and the Pyongyang regime, are we at risk of escalation? RUSI experts Tom Plant, Cristina Varriale and Emil Dall discuss.
Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Expect Iran to Go Further
UK Strategic Command: Look East to Understand What it Means
The UK, France and the US: Still Special Relationships