The independent resource on global security

Backgrounders

The status of Chinese–Russian energy cooperation in the Arctic

Ekaterina Klimenko and Camilla T. N. Sørensen

On the day of the 10th Arctic Council Ministerial meeting, this backgrounder looks at the status of Chinese–Russian cooperation in the Arctic.

The Silk Road Economic Belt: How does it interact with Eurasian security dynamics?

Richard Ghiasy and Dr Jiayi Zhou

China's ambitious Silk Road Economic Belt aims to provide critical infrastructure across Eurasia. How does this interact with security dynamics in Central and South Asian states?

Monitoring military expenditure

Dr Sam Perlo-Freeman

SIPRI provides the only long-term, historically consistent series of military expenditure data with global coverage available today. This topical backgrounder looks at how and why SIPRI invests time in this endeavour.

Lessons from Mali's local elections

Aurélien Tobie, Dr Grégory Chauzal, Dr Mariam D. Maïga and Mahamadou Diouara

After four successive adjournments, Mali held local elections on 20 November 2016. The elections did not occur without incident, however, with several Malian participants in the new SIPRI–CONASCIPAL project reporting violence and intimidation tactics in their local regions.

The state of peace operations: An interview with Lakhdar Brahimi

Dr Jaïr van der Lijn and Timo Smit

SIPRI Governing Board member Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi gives his views on the current state of UN peace operations, the recent HIPPO report and prospects for the future.

'Unfinished business' on the anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Tariq Rauf

On the 20th anniversary of the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said 'this is not a celebration. It is a stark reminder of the work that remains.'

North Korea's fifth nuclear test

Tariq Rauf

North Korea's fifth nuclear test shows that the current policy of sanctions, name-calling and exhortations is not working.

Transparency and accountability in military spending

Dr Sam Perlo-Freeman

The military is often one of the most corrupt sectors of government, with arms procurement particularly susceptible to corruption. Avoiding this requires transparency and accountability in military spending.

Brexit and export controls: Entering uncharted waters

Dr Mark Bromley

What implications will Brexit have for arms export controls in the UK and the EU?

The 2016 NATO Summit: What will be on the agenda in Warsaw?

Dr Ian Anthony and Dr Ian Davis

The six main topics likely to dominate the Warsaw Summit in July.