Top issues: UK related nuclear weapons issues, particularly government’s decision to proceed with renewing Trident; non-proliferation and disarmament issues.
Prospects for Dialogue in the Middle East
At a British Pugwash discussion meeting on 30 April 2009 Pugwash Secretary General Paolo Cotta-Ramusino, Andreas Persbo (VERTIC), Middle East expert Nomi Bar-Yaacov and Olive Tree Programme Director Rosemary Hollis addressed ‘Prospects for Peace in the Middle East, post-Gaza and the Israeli election’.
The validity of the rationale for UK’s possession of nuclear weapons
‘The validity of the rationale for UK’s possession of nuclear weapons’ (January 2009) Professor Robert Hinde argues that “the basic reasons that have been given for retaining or improving our nuclear weaponry have remained surprisingly similar across the years”. Read the article
UK does not need a nuclear deterrent – Letter
Field Marshal Lord Bramall, General Lord Ramsbotham, General Sir Hugh Beach (member BPG Executive Committee) ‘UK does not need a nuclear deterrent: Nuclear weapons must not be seen to be vital to the secure defence of self-respecting nations’. Letter, The Times 16 January 2009.
Progressing the nuclear disarmament agenda – Policy, diplomacy and science
Honouring the centenary of Joseph Rotblat’s birth, this seminar, held on 10 December 2008, explored concrete suggestions for creating and developing the political and technical environments conducive to the eventual attainment of a nuclear weapons free world.
JOSEPH ROTBLAT CENTENTARY – The Strangest Dream
The Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs and the British Pugwash Pugwash Group hosted the European premiere in London on 10 December 2008 of The Strangest Dream, a new film about Joseph Rotblat, Pugwash, and nuclear weapons, produced by the National Film Board of Canada.