Tensions in the South China Sea: the nuclear dimension By Mathieu Duchâtel and Eugenia Kazakova
Ever since China started constructing artificial islands in the South China Sea (SCS) on an unprecedented scale and speed by the standards of the region, the world’s attention has turned again to the intricate sovereignty disputes involving Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Viet Nam. This piece sheds light on a specific strategic interest pursued by China in the SCS: the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) quest for a credible undersea nuclear deterrent.
Read more. |  | Mali Peace Accord: actors, issues and their representation By Gaudence Nyirabikali
After a long process of dialogue and negotiation, a new peace accord has finally been concluded between the Malian Government and two coalitions of armed groups that were fighting the government and against each other, namely the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) and the Platform of armed groups (the Platform). The new peace accord was formally signed on 15 May 2015. Learn about the key actors, issues and their representation.
Read more. |  | SIPRI and GICHD launch new interactive map on anti-vehicle mine accidents This week, in cooperation with the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), SIPRI launches a new interactive map that presents initial data on the impacts of anti-vehicle mine (AVM) accidents. The map contains reported accidents from 1 January 2015 to 30 June 2015 and will be updated quarterly. Over the next four years SIPRI and GICHD will continue to collect and analyse new, as well as historical, data. The AVM project builds on a joint report published by SIPRI and GICHD in 2014 about the humanitarian and developmental impacts of anti-vehicle mines.
Read more about the current project; check out the map; read the earlier report; and contact Dr Rachel Irwin or Emma Bjertén-Günther with any questions. |  | SIPRI’s Robert Kelley and Tariq Rauf assess the military dimension of the Iran nuclear programme In connection with the recent agreement with Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran agreed on a work plan: 'Road map for the clarification of past and present outstanding issues regarding Iran's nuclear program'. Under this road map, the IAEA and Iran will address possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme as well as activities at Parchin, the large military-industrial facility in Iran. In a series of assessments, Robert Kelley and a Tariq Rauf discuss some of the key issues and misperceptions.
Access the assessment series and contact Robert Kelley and Tariq Rauf. |  | | UPCOMING EVENTS |  | 18 September, Stockholm
Seminar on the ASEAN community
On the occasion of the visit to Sweden of Dr Surin Pitsuwan—former Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand—the Royal Thai Embassy in cooperation with other ASEAN embassies in Stockholm and SIPRI will host a seminar: Towards the ASEAN Community: Prospects and Challenges.
Contact Stephanie Blenckner for further information..
28–29 September, Stockholm
SIPRI and Malta Customs host counterproliferation expert workshop
SIPRI in cooperation with Malta Customs and supported by the MacArthur Foundation will host an expert workshop as part of a current project to promote and support partnerships between government and transportation sector stakeholders to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and implement proliferation-related United Nations Security Council resolutions. The workshop will bring together officials, experts and transportation-sector representatives from Europe, America, the Middle East and North Africa to explore the challenges, risks and opportunities faced by the transportation sector with regard to proliferation mitigation.
Contact Aaron Dunne and Vitaly Fedchenko for further information.
| | RECENT EVENTS | | 20 August, Beijing
SIPRI at Eurasia Peace and Development Forum
SIPRI Researcher Richard Ghiasy participated in the third Eurasia Peace and Development Forum, held in Beijing on 20 August. The theme was ‘Silk Road Economic Belt Construction: Cooperation and Mutual Benefit’. It was organized by the China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (SINOSURE) and the Institute of Central Asia Studies at Shaanxi Normal University. Scholars from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, the United States and China discussed the main concerns, and the potential for cooperation, for Central and South Asian countries taking part in the Silk Road Economic Belt. Ghiasy provided his analysis on Afghanistan’s primary security and development concerns, how they are partially the result of regional interference and economic irrationality, and how Afghanistan’s security situation might impact (future) Belt transit security.
Contact Richard Ghiasy for further information.
21–28 June, Issyk-Kul
Summer School on Impact Evaluation Methods in Central Asia
SIPRI together with the University of Central Asia’s Institute of Public Policy and Administration (UCA IPPA), the United Nations University–Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU–MERIT) and the International Security and Development Center (ISDC) held a joint summer school on ‘Impact Evaluation Methods in Central Asia’ from the 21–28 June 2015 in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan. It was the second summer school run by SIPRI and its partners.
Read more and contact the Head of Project, Dr Damir Esenaliev.
| | LATEST PUBLICATION | | The New Nuclear Forensics The New Nuclear Forensics provides a survey and an analysis of the scientific discipline of nuclear forensic analysis, and the way it is applied to specific issues of international peace and security, from the 1940s to the present day. This book describes the various methods used in nuclear forensics, giving first a general introduction to the process followed by details of relevant measurement techniques and procedures. In each case, the advantages and limitations are outlined. It uses a language and methodology that opens the issue of nuclear forensics and its potential applications to a non-specialist readership.
Read more.
|  | | FEATURED PUBLICATION | | SIPRI Yearbook 2015 The 46th edition of the SIPRI Yearbook is a compendium of data and analysis in the areas of security and conflicts; military spending and armaments; and non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament. It covers developments during 2014, including: - aspects of the ongoing conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine;
- regional military-security trends in East Asia;
- military spending in the USA;
- the continued negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear programme; and
- the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty.
Download a Summary of SIPRI Yearbook 2015.
Browse the contents page.
|  | © SIPRI 2015. ISSN 1654-8264.
Contact SIPRI by email: sipri@sipri.org; telephone: +46 8 655 97 00; or post:
SIPRI, Signalistgatan 9, SE-169 70 Solna, Sweden. Visit us online at www.sipri.org.
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