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Essays

Look before we leap: peace, security and the second quantum revolution

A new generation of quantum technology promises to transform military capabilities and much more. There are profound security implications that demand a coordinated governance response.

Bringing the space–nuclear nexus into multilateral discussions

This essay briefly summarizes the potential escalation risks at the space–nuclear nexus. It also considers some of the difficulties in addressing this nexus in existing multilateral forums and suggests ways to overcome them.

Synergies between women, peace and security and the governance of WMD

Closer integration of the women, peace and security agenda with the governance of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons could have benefits for both.

A new political forum could help make the EU’s strategic trade controls more strategic—if it is allowed to

This essay presents some suggestions for how a proposed ‘forum for political coordination’ could help to coordinate and plug the gaps in the European Union’s strategic trade controls.

NATO: A new need for some old ideas

As NATO marks its first 75 years, its core mission has arguably come full circle: deterrence and territorial defence in Europe. Remembering key lessons from cold war diplomacy could help it to navigate the challenges ahead.

More investment in nuclear deterrence will not make Europe safer

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the nuclear threats it has made since have driven a new wave of militarization in Europe. Amid rising tensions, this SIPRI Essay argues for caution in the nuclear domain to prevent escalation and maintain a balance in Europe's security landscape.

Climate finance and geopolitics: The China–US factor

Climate action is caught in the increasingly volatile push-and-pull between cooperative global governance and great power competition, a fraught dynamic readily apparent in relations between China and the United States. China–US bilateral relations are widely acknowledged as a keystone for international efforts to address climate change.

Towards an agenda for gender perspectives in space security

This SIPRI Essay explores why women’s voices and gender-based vulnerabilities need to be better reflected in space security governance.

Beyond the UN Security Council: Can the UN General Assembly tackle the climate–security challenge?

The wildfires raging in Canada are yet another reminder that climate change is already having an impact on all our lives.

Twenty years ago in Iraq, ignoring the expert weapons inspectors proved to be a fatal mistake

In this SIPRI Essay, former nuclear inspector Robert Kelley describes how the case for invading Iraq in 2003 was built on false claims about weapons of mass destruction.