CNS News & Views: August 2022

Middlebury Institute of International Studies

August 2022

VCDNP’s Contribution to Tenth NPT Review Conference

The Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) took place from 1 to 26 August 2022 in New York City, after being delayed for two years by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Experts from the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Nonproliferation (VCDNP) contributed through various side events and participated as advisors on national delegations.

● The VCDNP and the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held a hybrid side event dedicated to the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology and presented the recommendations of the VCDNP Task Force on Peaceful Uses.

● Senior Research Associate Dr Hanna Notte spoke at a side event hosted by the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) focusing on narratives on the Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone.

● Research Intern Kseniia Pirnavskaia spoke at the side event on the role of young experts in disarmament and non-proliferation, hosted by the Republic of Korea, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and BASIC.

● Director of the International Organizations and Non-Proliferation Programme Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova served as an advisor to the delegation of Costa Rica.

Episode Four: Machiavelli in the Ivory Tower

In the fourth episode of Machiavelli in the Ivory Tower, hosts Sarah Bidgood and Hanna Notte are joined by Jeffrey Lewis, professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at CNS.

They discuss the implications of Russia's war against Ukraine and China's growing nuclear arsenal for how we think about nuclear deterrence; ways forward in dealing with Iran's nuclear program; the old and new challenges posed to arms control by disinformation; why individuals matter in all of this - and much more.

Watch episode four

Future Challenges for the OPCW with Ambassador Uzumcu

On August 16 the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) hosted Ambassador (R) Ahmet Uzumcu, Former Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Moderated by CNS Senior Program Manager for Education and Training, Mr. Jean du Preez, Ambassador Uzumcu gave a seminar to students, staff, and faculty of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies on future challenges for the OPCW.

The OPCW has diligently responded to allegations of the use of chemical weapons (CWs) in Syria and elsewhere. It used all available mechanisms and invented new ones to investigate such allegations. The taboo against the use of CWs is intact. However, political divisions among members appear to be the main challenge for the organization. More efforts must be made to uphold the credibility and the integrity of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Watch the recording

WMD Terrorism Threats: Assessing and Prosecuting

Eighteen senior and mid-level government officials from Malaysia and the Philippines traveled to the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, CA for a two-week in-person training program on "WMD Terrorism Threats: Assessing and Prosecuting" training program with the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).

Participants collaborated on several CBRNe case studies and practiced analyzing evidence from the technical, operational, and behavioral points of view. Initial and follow-on information was provided during the case studies in a manner that simulated the development of actual incidents. Participants discussed potential policy concerns, shared how the issues would play out in their legal systems, and were able to build relationships and work with professionals across sectors. Discussions facilitated an exciting and insightful dialogue between participants from both countries and created a unique space for bilateral deliberation and collaboration.

CNS Supports Radioactive Source Users in Central Asia and Azerbaijan

In August, the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies completed a year-long project on strengthening security culture for users of radioactive material and sources in Central Asia and Azerbaijan. The effort led by Margarita Kalinina-Pohl, was sponsored by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) with funding from the Department of Energy’s National Security Administration’s (NNSA’s) Office of Radiological Security. It was implemented jointly with the CBRN Safety and Security Agency (CBRN SSA) of Tajikistan.

The project was implemented in two phases. The first, a three-day virtual seminar for regional professionals November 17-19, 2021, and the second, an in-person three-day regional meeting held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, July 25-27, 2022. The workshop ended with a discussion of ways to strengthen security culture at facilities with nuclear and radioactive material and sources. A few of the suggestions generated included: creating a legislative foundation for nuclear/radiological security culture using IAEA guidelines and other countries’ experiences, organizing work visits to countries/facilities with well-established security cultures, introducing nuclear/radiological security culture modules to university programs, and creating professional development opportunities for facilities’ personnel offered through regional or international training centers.