Malcolm Chalmers
Deputy Director-General
Malcolm
Deputy Director-General
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The Proliferation and Nuclear Policy team provides detailed analysis and in-depth research relating to contemporary international nuclear dynamics.
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.
Latest
"Much of North Korea’s shipping sector is subject to sanctions, but Pyongyang has used a combination of evasion techniques to keep goods flowing. “Any connection on paper to North Korea or North Korean illicit activities may therefore not be immediately obvious to the insurer,” the report said. "
The Morning Risk Report: Insurers Hold a Key to North Korea Sanctions
In The News, 10 July 2018 Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Underwriting Proliferation: Sanctions Evasion, Proliferation Finance and the Insurance Industry
Occasional Papers, 9 July 2018
Emil 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 implementation of international sanctions and wider counter proliferation efforts against North Korea.
Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Counter-Proliferation Finance, United Nations, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Sanctions, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
" “If you knew everything they had, if they were fully committed and if you had unlimited resources, something might be achieved quite rapidly,” says Tom Plant of RUSI, a London think-tank. “But all those conditions are hypothetical.” "
North Korea presents nuclear disarmament’s biggest challenge yet
In The News, 5 July 2018 Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
A Final Nail in the Coffin of the Iran Nuclear Deal?
Commentary, 2 July 2018
Tom 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.
Tags: 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 Institutions
"She said: “A face-to-face meeting with an American President is a huge propaganda coup for Mr Kim and the summit could be seen as rewarding their rush to develop nuclear weapons. The North Korean regime is brutal and by smiling and shaking hands with their leaders you give them something which will be played on TV endlessly at home.” "
Donald Trump trolled after footage of president awkwardly saluting North Korean soldier broadcast on state TV
In The News, 15 June 2018 Tags: United States, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
"We must stay on the diplomatic path. The ride will be bumpy but the more realistic objective of reducing military tension could set the Korean Peninsula on a new path towards peace. "
The Reader: Despite the setbacks, diplomacy is still key to any Korea solution
In The News, 30 May 2018 Tags: North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear PolicyPages
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 Institutions
Collateral Damage: President Trump’s Decision on Iran and Its Impact on Europe
Commentary, 9 May 2018Emil Dall
President Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the Iran nuclear agreement, and reimpose sanctions against Iran, will matter most in Europe.
Iran's Nuclear Programme, United States, Iran, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Sanctions, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Europe
Flagging down North Korea on the High Seas
Commentary, 29 March 2018Sara Perlangeli
The tight economic noose around North Korea is being weakened by the regime’s use of flags of convenience by sanctions-evading ships.
Counter-Proliferation Finance, United Nations, Japan, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
The US and South Korea: A Fracturing Alliance?
Commentary, 27 June 2017Cristina Varriale
While there is a strong relationship between the US and South Korea, the new administrations in both capitals face challenges in adopting a common approach to Pyongyang.
North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
The Nuclear Outlook for the Next Government
Commentary, 15 June 2017Malcolm Chalmers, Tom Plant, Cristina Varriale and Emil Dall
Britain’s newly elected Parliament, due to be opened by the Queen next week, promises to be a busy one for nuclear issues. As the new government takes shape, the Proliferation and Nuclear Policy team at RUSI outlines some of the key decisions that it will have to make.
Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Trident, UK, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK Defence, EuropePages
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 Policy
Countering Proliferation Finance: Implementation Guide and Model Law for Governments
Other Publications, 21 July 2017Andrea Berger and Anagha Joshi
This is the second of two guidance papers produced by RUSI on countering proliferation finance. It aims to assist governments seeking to strengthen their legal and institutional frameworks to counter...
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Counter-Proliferation Finance, United Nations, North Korea, Other Publications, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Pacific
Transatlantic (Mis)alignment: Challenges to US-EU Sanctions Design and Implementation
Occasional Papers, 10 July 2017Tom Keatinge, Emil Dall, Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi and Sarah Lain
This paper argues that despite recent coordination on sanctions against Russia and Iran, there is still a misalignment over how the US and the EU approaches sanctions. The different policymaking...
Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Iran's Nuclear Programme, RUSI International, United States, Occasional Papers, European Union, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Sanctions, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Europe
A House Without Foundations: The North Korea Sanctions Regime and its Implementation
Whitehall Reports, 9 June 2017Andrea Berger
This report identifies the challenges of implementing sanctions on North Korea.
United Nations, Whitehall Reports, North Korea, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Sanctions, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, International Institutions, Pacific
Countering Proliferation Finance: An Introductory Guide for Financial Institutions
Other Publications, 19 April 2017Emil Dall, Tom Keatinge and Andrea Berger
This Guidance Paper is the first of two to be produced by RUSI on countering proliferation finance. It is aimed at financial institutions that have carried out little or no concerted thinking on...
Counter-Proliferation Finance, Other Publications, Proliferation and Nuclear PolicyPages
UK PONI Annual Conference 2018
Conference, 7 June 2018UK Project on Nuclear Issues (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...
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Professor Matthew Jones on The Official History of the UK Strategic Nuclear Deterrent
Events, 15 March 2018With the support of the UK Project On Nuclear Issues, RUSI is pleased to host a discussion with Professor Matthew Jones, Head of the Department of International History, London School of Economics.
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Trident, UK
Have I Got Nukes for You: The UK PONI Christmas Quiz
Events, 6 December 2017UK PONI is pleased to host its second ‘Have I Got Nukes for You’ annual Christmas quiz.
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
UK PONI: The North Korea Nuclear Challenge
Events, 15 November 2017This UK PONI panel event discussed the political and technical developments of North Korea's nuclear programme to help understand the current crisis and how the international community can respond to...
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Sanctions 2018: Sanctions in an Era of Political Uncertainty
Events, 8 November 2017RUSI, in collaboration with the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and the Center on Law and Security, NYU School of Law, will convene experts to examine and discuss the sanctions landscape...
National Security and Resilience Studies, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, National SecurityPages
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
Cristina Varriale on the North Korea Missile Tests
Multimedia, 6 July 2017Watch Cristina Varriale, a research analyst at RUSI's Nuclear and Proliferation programme discuss North Korea's latest missile test on BBC World News.
Tags: North Korea, UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
AUKMIN 2018: The Future of Global Britain?
Imran Khan: The Captain Begins His Greatest Test Match
US Sanctions on Russia