Malcolm Chalmers
Deputy Director-General
Malcolm
Deputy Director-General
You are here
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.
Latest
The Role of Verification in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Dispute
Commentary, 15 January 2019
Darya Dolzikova
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is about to pass into oblivion. But its verification provisions merit further attention, both as a reflection on lesson learned from the past, but also as indicators for the future.
Tags: United States, Americas, Russia, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Europe
The Year Ahead
News, 14 January 2019
As we begin the year, we look forward to RUSI's busy 2019 research agenda
Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Defence, Industries and Society, National Security Studies, International Security Studies, Military Sciences, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
"'Kim has not changed his policy ... but claims that he's now moved from research-and-development and onto mass production.' "
North Korea launched no missiles in 2018 - But that isn't necessarily due to Trump
In The News, 27 December 2018 Tags: North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Delicate Footwork: Security and Diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula
Commentary, 17 December 2018
Cristina Varriale
The suspension of US–South Korean military exercises is a vital step in the broader effort to build confidence on the Korean peninsula.
Tags: Armed Forces, United States, North Korea, UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Global Strategy and Commitments, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Defence Policy, Asia, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
A Long Road to Denuclearisation: Challenges to Security-Based Diplomacy with North Korea
Occasional Papers, 6 December 2018
Cristina Varriale
This paper sets out the case for a gradual, step-by-step approach to remove North Korea's nuclear weapons.
Tags: 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 2018
Cristina 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.
Tags: United Nations, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, International InstitutionsPages
The Role of Verification in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Dispute
Commentary, 15 January 2019Darya Dolzikova
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is about to pass into oblivion. But its verification provisions merit further attention, both as a reflection on lesson learned from the past, but also as indicators for the future.
United States, Americas, Russia, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Europe
Delicate Footwork: Security and Diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula
Commentary, 17 December 2018Cristina Varriale
The suspension of US–South Korean military exercises is a vital step in the broader effort to build confidence on the Korean peninsula.
Armed Forces, United States, North Korea, UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Global Strategy and Commitments, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Defence Policy, Asia, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
The Impending Demise of the INF Treaty: Britain Has a Job on Its Hands
Commentary, 22 October 2018James Cameron
President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US will withdraw from a landmark nuclear treaty comes at a bad time for the UK. Still, if damage to British security is to be limited, deft diplomatic handling from London will be required.
United States, US Defence Policy, Russia, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
All to Play For: Sports Diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula
Commentary, 25 September 2018Tom Plant
The two halves of the Korean peninsula have engaged in sports diplomacy before. But latest agreements between the leaders of the two countries have taken this diplomacy much further, with broader implications for the security of the region.
North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
A Final Nail in the Coffin of the Iran Nuclear Deal?
Commentary, 2 July 2018Tom Keatinge
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) avoided a decision to return Iran to its blacklist of countries not doing enough to combat money laundering. Iran’s continued litany of financial crime failings further undermines the future of the country’s nuclear deal with Western governments.
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Iran's Nuclear Programme, United States, AML/CTF, Iran, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, International InstitutionsPages
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 Policy
Countering Proliferation Finance: Model Law Second Edition
Other Publications, 2 October 2018Anagha Joshi
This is the updated version of the model law from the previous guidance paper produced by RUSI on countering proliferation finance. It aims to assist governments seeking to strengthen their legal and...
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Counter-Proliferation Finance, United Nations, Other Publications, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Underwriting Proliferation: Sanctions Evasion, Proliferation Finance and the Insurance Industry
Occasional Papers, 9 July 2018Emil Dall and Tom Keatinge
This paper seeks to establish the baseline for a discussion on proliferation finance in the (re)insurance sector. The insurance industry can play a vital role in contributing to the successful...
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Counter-Proliferation Finance, United Nations, Occasional Papers, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Sanctions, Proliferation and Nuclear PolicyPages
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 Policy
Have I Got Nukes for You: The UK PONI Christmas Quiz
Events, 4 December 2018Given the success of our previous UK PONI Christmas quizzes, we’re back for a third year!
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
UK PONI Networking Event: Women in Nuclear
Events, 4 December 2018This inaugural networking session will allow our female UK PONI members to engage directly with leaders in the nuclear field from across industry, policy, and academia.
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Leadership in the Non-Proliferation Treaty
Events, 20 November 2018This panel event will launch the report of a recent private RUSI workshop that discussed leadership in the context of the NPT and how the UK could contribute.
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
UK PONI Roundtable: The INF Treaty
Events, 12 November 2018This roundtable will discuss the recent U.S. announcement to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and implications this may have for the future of deterrence and arms...
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK, 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
One Step at a Time: Limited Reform of UK’s Limited Partnerships
US and China: Trade, Technology Theft and Arrests
The Role of Verification in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Dispute