1. 63rd Pugwash Conference in Hiroshima: 80 Years After the Atomic Bombing – Time for Peace, Dialogue and Nuclear Disarmament
From 1-5 November, Hiroshima hosted the 63rd Pugwash Conference. The meeting commemorated the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Japan, as well as the 70th anniversary of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, and the 30th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Sir Joseph Rotblat and Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs.
From the bombed areas, where the scars are still very evident, the conference sent a strong message to the world: No more Hiroshimas. No more Nagasakis. No more war.
The statement of the Pugwash Council following the conference is here
2. Video: ‘Euro-Atlantic Nuclear Relations in the Age of Trump’
On 5 December Dr Marion Messmer discussed Europe’s options after: the collapse of the INF Treaty; an increase in investment in missile technologies across the European continent; and declining confidence in the US nuclear umbrella, at a time of regional and global instability.
Watch the video of the webinar here
3. Video: ‘On the future of the NPT’
On 12 October Tariq Rauf discussed the review process for the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), the meaning of “consensus”, whether an outcome document is required at Review Conferences, as well as friction points between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states.
Watch the video of the webinar here
4. Recent articles and publications of note
- Report by Dr Tim Street: Stepping Back from the Brink: The Myths of Tactical Nuclear Weapons and Limited Nuclear War, published by the Nuclear Education Trust, November
Download the report here
- Article collection, Fresh Thinking on Peace and Nuclear Disarmament: Articles from the SYP Conference 2025, published by Student and Young Pugwash, October
Download the article collection here
- Article by Dr Tong Zhao: Nuclear Risk Reduction in an Era of Great Power Rivalry, October
Read the article here
- Joint Appeal: International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, September
More information is available here
- Webinar series: The US’s ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defence System, September-October
More information is available here and here
- Submission to the Public Accounts Committee Inquiry: The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, from the Nuclear Education Trust (with BASIC and British Pugwash), September
Read the submission here
Other articles and news
December
The White House, US National Security Strategy
November
George Perkovich, Carnegie Endowment, “A House of Dynamite” Shows Why No Leader Should Have a Nuclear Trigger
October
John Carlson and John Tilemann, Toda Peace Institute, Nuclear Arms Control in Crisis: Time for Asia–Pacific to Step Up
Guy Faulconbridge and Anastasia Teterevleva, Reuters, Russia moves to withdraw from plutonium agreement with the United States
September
Kim Seung-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, Global commission on military AI use calls for legally binding agreements to keep nuclear weapons under human control
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council
Joe Cirincione, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, The dangerous new Washington consensus for more nuclear weapons
Michael Hirsh, Politico, The AI Doomsday Machine Is Closer to Reality Than You Think
Harici.com, China made a show of military and diplomatic strength
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, ‘A House of Dynamite’ Director Kathryn Bigelow on the Urgency of Her Nuclear War Thriller: ‘How Is Annihilating the World a Good Defense Measure?’
August
CBS News, China rules out participating in denuclearization talks with U.S. and Russia, as suggested by Trump
Reuters, Trump renews push for denuclearization talks with Russia and China
Tong Zhao, Foreign Policy, Is China Changing Its Nuclear Launch Strategy?
Ramesh Thakur, Toda Peace Institute, A Sceptic’s Take on the Nuclear Bomb
July
Daryl Kimball, Arms Control Association, Trump Calls for Maintaining Strategic Nuclear Arms Limits
Daryl Kimball, Arms Control Association, Civil Society Leaders Issue “New Call to Halt and Reverse the Arms Race”
May
UK Government, Defence Nuclear Enterprise 2025: Annual Update to Parliament
5. Annual membership
We ask that members of British Pugwash contribute £25 a year to the organisation’s running costs. May we suggest that you check that your subscription is up to date. If you need to make a payment, our bank details are here. Membership for students and people under 35 is free.