Future of Arms Control

This project explores new pathways to rethink nuclear arms control and develop innovative policy proposals in the current political landscape.

Image — View of the United Nations logo as the 2022 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons takes place at the United Nations in New York City on 1 August 2022. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images.

The International Security Programme’s work consists of several projects aiming to develop new proposals for arms control, significantly reduce nuclear risks and increase geopolitical stability. We explore both how to improve existing arms control mechanisms, and propose new options to strengthen the overall nuclear arms control landscape.

Key objectives

  1. Provide policy guidance to nuclear possessor states and those interested in advancing arms control to allow them to identify, bring about and act on opportunities for arms control.
  2. Assess good standards in accountability and transparency for other treaty regimes, and make recommendations to introduce new best practices for the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
  3. Identify and develop new proposals aimed at increasing stability and reducing incentives for arms racing dynamics while considering the current political environment and its limitations for the successful conclusion of negotiations. 

Key activities

  • Convene expert working groups to develop and inform innovative proposals for nuclear arms control.
  • Mapping drivers and barriers for arms control within specific regional and thematic categories.
  • Produce short briefing papers that articulate how the arms control proposals could be implemented in practice and the progress that they might achieve.

Partners and stakeholders

Carnegie Corporation of New York, Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, Stanton Foundation