CNS News & Views: February 2022

Middlebury Institute of International Studies

February 2022

Nuclear Threats and the War in Ukraine

Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has set in motion a catastrophic war. The consequences of this war will be both tragic and far-reaching, including with respect to nuclear nonproliferation and risk reduction. Experts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) are at the forefront of the unfolding crisis in Ukraine. As The Verge described, Dr. Jeffrey Lewis and his team of researchers “used a combination of Google Maps and radar imagery to track the movement of Russian troops, tipping them off to an invasion of Ukraine before the general public got word of the situation.” (originally reported in The Washington Post). Dr. Nikolai Sokov has provided important context on the Ukraine crisis in interviews for the Wall Street Journal and other outlets.

Consistent with the CNS mission of promoting nonproliferation education and analysis, CNS will be offering a series of webinars about the nuclear challenges and risks that have arisen. Information about future events in this series will be forthcoming.

Stand Against Racism and Discrimination in the Peace and Security Field

Join CNS and other members of OrgsInSolidarity in continuing to work towards the commitments outlined in the 2020 Solidarity Statement “Standing Together Against Racism and Discrimination.” (OrgsInSolidarity is an initiative of Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security).

Read the new working paper from the Fair Recognition Working Group on “Understanding the Problem,” to better appreciate how structural racism in workplaces impedes equitable pay and promotion practices and what can be done. Join the Forming the Future Working Group on March 3 ^rd for the fourth installment of its “Breaking into the Field Series: How and Why to Build a Network in Peace and Security.” Read articles by women experts of color on issues of peace and security (including nuclear topics).

North Korea’s Nuclear Fusion Research

CNS Research Associate Hyuk Kim writes, for 38 North, about North Korea’s nuclear fusion research and the implications for global nonproliferation policies. He argues that “Of the many possible applications in the area of fusion research, inertial confinement fusion (ICF) helps states with experience in nuclear testing advance their weapons program without having to conduct further full-scale testing. The immediate goal of North Korea's ICF research appears to be developing a computer simulation program that may be used as a part of a stockpile management system. To inhibit North Korea from developing ICF for military purposes, states need to pay closer attention to transfers of elements through the enhanced implementation of sanctions and export controls.”

Next Steps for the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material

In advance of the Review Conference of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), VCDNP Research Associate Artem Lazarev and Visiting Research Fellow Marianne Nari Fisher conducted a study. The study assessed conditions surrounding universal adherence to the CPPNM and its Amendment (collectively known as the A/CPPNM).

The survey results revealed strong support by Member States for the upcoming A/CPPNM Review Conference and the belief that “States should use the 2022 Conference in order to create a forum for parties to engage in regular dialogue on how the Amendment is being translated into the on-the-ground nuclear security progress and to monitor and identify gaps in implementation, review progress, promote continuous improvement and discuss emerging nuclear threats.”

Read the report

Winter 2022 Nuclear Security Professional Development Course

From 24 to 28 January 2022, the VCDNP held its second specialized short course on nuclear security for diplomats and practitioners. The course was held in a virtual format and included 24 participants from 23 countries representing governmental institutions, embassies, and permanent missions. The week-long course covered diverse topics within the nuclear security regime, including peaceful nuclear applications and key elements of nuclear security; the history of the nuclear security regime; binding and non-binding international instruments; synergies between peaceful uses and nuclear security; the role of the IAEA and other organizations; opportunities and challenges related to nuclear security; and the policies and politics of nuclear security.

The course also explored inclusivity, diversity, and gender mainstreaming within the nuclear security community, with a particular emphasis on the role of industry. Panel discussions focused on the evolving nuclear security regime and outcomes and expectations from the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.