Policy Briefs

Managing the post-INF Arms Competition in the Asia-Pacific: A Japanese Perspective
Nobuyasu Abe argues that proposals to deploy INF-class missiles in Japan is likely to initiate a regional missile deployment competition between the US and China, with Russia possibly joining as well.

What the Bolton Memoir Tells Us about the Future of DPRK Nuclear Negotiations
Van Jackson mines Bolton’s rendition of the US-North Korea policy as well as the former ambassador's take on summit diplomacy in past years, drawing lessons that can improve the prospects of future.

Korean Peninsula Nuclear Summitry: The Time is Right
John Tilemann argues that DPRK denuclearisation cannot be achieved as a discrete goal. Rather, the time for negotiations between the US, China, and Russia over security assurances is at hand.

Nuclear Battleground: Debating the US 2018 Nuclear Posture Review
For the 2018 NPR, the Trump Administration has decided upon expanding their role on nuclear weapons, alongside a de-emphasis on arms control. Miller compares and contrasts with NPRs of previous years.

Nuclear-Armed Cruise Missiles Should be Banned
Andrew C. Weber reminds the world leaders of the threat of nuclear-armed cruise missiles and urges intergovernmental, UN, and non-governmental actors to take appropriate measures.

Harmonizing the NPT and Ban Treaty through Nuclear Risk Reduction by Possessor States
Ambassador and APLN member Rakesh Sood assesses which doctrinal and technical steps would be consistent with the objective of nuclear disarmament.

Towards a Nuclear Restraint Regime: From a Normative Ban Treaty to a Substantive Agenda
APLN board member Dr. Manpreet Sethi suggests a systematic and practical approach towards the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Cooperation or Conflict? Walking the Tightrope of NPT and Ban Treaty Supporters
Angela Kane brings a spotlight on the lack of trust between the nuclear haves and the have-nots, calling for cooperation from both sides.

Folding the Umbrella: Nuclear Allies, the NPT and the Ban Treaty
Paul Meyer argues that nuclear dependent allies should play a bigger role in convincing their NWS partners to undertake tangible nuclear disarmament action.

Verifying the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons and Providing Assurance against Breakout
APLN member John Carlson argues that effective verification will be absolutely essential to achieving nuclear disarmament.