Tahir Ahmad’s Post

The framework of the book mainly tries to answer four critical questions related to the philosophical constructions of nuclear weapons proliferation and nuclear arms control, the impacts of international nuclear politics on the decision-making processes of India and Pakistan, the transforming features of India-Pakistan nuclear doctrines and postures, and the practical responses to nuclear arms control https://lnkd.in/d275ym-n

Stratheia has recently reviewed one of Paramount's latest publications - "Nuclear Arms Control in South Asia" by the esteemed Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal. The review dives deep into the insightful analysis and perspectives presented in the book, shedding light on critical issues surrounding nuclear arms control in the South Asian region. A must-read for anyone interested in international relations and security studies! https://lnkd.in/dfvQBhSu

I am glad to share my latest article, entitled ‘Making Sense of European Disunity on Nuclear Weapon Questions’ in the European Foreign Affairs Review. Abstract: The world is entering an era of nuclear disorder. Therefore, this article aims to examine the European engagement with nuclear weapon questions at the beginning of this disorder. The research questions are: in what ways does Europe engage with nuclear issues? And how to make sense of the divergence and ambivalent stances among European states on nuclear weapons? The review identified engagement regarding non-proliferation and divergence on disarmament at the EU level, but mostly disengagement with nuclear deterrence questions outside of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), apart from short-lived discussions on the so-called ‘Eurodeterrent’. Regarding the former observation, it becomes increasingly hard to forge common positions on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament within an EU context. The latter observation is exemplified by recurring but ephemeral debates on a European nuclear deterrent. To understand the divergence and ambivalent stances, several factors are of importance, varying from the primacy of national interest to geography. Consequently, while the world is entering an era of nuclear disorder, Europeans should start a strategic dialogue on the necessity of nuclear weapons without undermining transatlantic relations. Link to the article: https://lnkd.in/eRx-b-Ag POLI VUB / EGMONT - Royal Institute for International Relations

Celebrating 70 Years of Visionary Leadership: Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace” by Roger Daub Seventy years ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower took to the United Nations General Assembly with a speech that would reshape the narrative of nuclear energy. His “Atoms for Peace” address, delivered in December 1953, not only confronted the daunting prospect of nuclear weapons proliferation but also charted a new course towards harnessing atomic energy for the benefit of humanity.   As we mark this milestone anniversary, it’s a moment to reflect on Eisenhower’s foresight. He envisioned a world where atomic energy served as a beacon of hope for agriculture, medicine, and providing electricity to power-starved regions. This vision catalyzed the formation of influential institutions like the International Atomic Energy Agency and refocused the energy of American national laboratories from weaponry to peaceful endeavors.   Now, in the face of the global climate crisis, Eisenhower’s ethos of scientific innovation and investment resonates more strongly than ever. The Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy is spearheading efforts with a $1.7 billion annual budget aimed at fostering collaboration among academia, national labs, and the private sector. This collaborative approach is crucial for nurturing ideas from inception to implementation, powering our homes with clean, sustainable energy.   The DOE’s vision of adding 200 gigawatts of clean electricity by 2050 aligns with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions. New nuclear technologies are not just a bridge to this future; they represent a reservoir of job opportunities and economic growth across the United States. The unparalleled capabilities of our 17 national laboratories, from advanced experiments to exascale computing, are pivotal in this journey. However, the realization of their full potential hinges on sustained investment and a collective vision championed by government backing. Eisenhower’s wisdom in balancing the cost of conflict with the investment in peaceful prosperity remains relevant. As he eloquently put it, resources devoted to warfare are, in essence, a diversion from addressing the fundamental needs of humanity. Investing in science and technology is not just a fiscal decision; it’s a commitment to future generations.   As we commemorate Eisenhower’s historic speech, let’s renew our commitment to this vision of peaceful prosperity through scientific and technological advancements. The journey from “Atoms for Peace” to a sustainable, clean energy future is ours to continue.   #AtomsForPeace #Eisenhower #NuclearEnergy #SustainableFuture #DOE #Innovation #ClimateAction   https://lnkd.in/eUZ__z56

  From mid-December 2023 to mid-March 2024, I penned five articles, both short and long, focusing on #NuclearDisarmament. Each piece delved into the imperative of universalizing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (#TPNW).   The bottom line of these articles underscores the imperative for the TPNW to undergo #canonization, #securitization, and #weaponization, primarily by the Treaty’s states parties, but also involving its state and non-state advocates. While these three interconnected strategies may not work magic, they hold the potential to invigorate the TPNW's universalization efforts with a fresh momentum.   As I prepare to present an expanded iteration of these works at the upcoming annual cross-disciplinary conference Reinvigorating Nuclear Disarmament, to be hosted by the Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament at Uppsala University in June, 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒆𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉.   Below, I am pleased to share the links to these articles with you.   1. “Transnational Parliamentary Governance: A Catalyst for ‘TPNW Universalization’ Discourse”, Uppsala University & International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), December 2023 (pp. 125-135). <https://lnkd.in/dYzDh4C6>   2. “The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: a litmus test for global nuclear governance”, The Loop, European Consortium for Political Research’s political science blog, December 18, 2023. <https://lnkd.in/dkhErbhk>   3. “The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: how to move forward after deadlock”, The Loop, European Consortium for Political Research’s political science blog, January 12, 2024. <https://lnkd.in/dsjBs8KB>   4. “Two Paths Towards A Nuclear-Free Middle East”, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, February 22, 2024. <https://lnkd.in/dthc8ahr>   5. “Empowering nuclear disarmament discourse”, The Loop, European Consortium for Political Research’s political science blog, March 13, 2024. <https://lnkd.in/dmmeBDTj>   I take the opportunity to extend my gratitude to the editors of The Loop and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (Sada Journal) for their comments and support throughout the publication process of these pieces. Special thanks are due to Dr. Wilfred Wan and his team at SIPRI for their insightful feedback and guidance, which greatly enhanced the quality of the initial drafts of the working paper.

🌍✨ Delighted to share insights from my recent virtual participation in a transformative course on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and verification, held from 3rd to 7th June 2024. Hosted by the Institute for Security Studies, Brooklyn, Pretoria, South Africa, and organized by the Radiation and Health Physics Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, on behalf of the African Research and Innovation Hub for Nuclear Disarmament Verification. 🔍 Key Objectives: Contribute to enhancing knowledge in non-nuclear weapon States (NNWS) for active engagement in nuclear disarmament debates. Explore technical and political challenges crucial to verifiable nuclear disarmament. Provide a platform for learning and networking among diverse experts and early career professionals passionate about nuclear disarmament. 📚 Highlighted Modules: Module 1: Exploring the fundamentals of nuclear energy and its applications. Module 2: Historical perspectives on nuclear weapons development and the current global arms race. Module 3: Role and functions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in nuclear safeguards. Module 4: International treaties and for a aimed at preventing nuclear proliferation and promoting disarmament. Module 8: Challenges and principles of nuclear disarmament verification. 🌟 Takeaways: The course not only deepened my understanding of global efforts towards disarmament but also provided invaluable networking opportunities with experts and peers from various backgrounds. I am inspired to apply this knowledge to contribute meaningfully to nuclear disarmament initiatives in Africa and beyond. 🙏 Gratitude: Special thanks to the organizers, speakers, and fellow participants for an enriching experience. Looking forward to applying these insights in future endeavors towards a safer and more peaceful world. #NuclearDisarmament #NonProliferation #Verification #Africa #Peace #GlobalSecurity#IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme#International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)#Noel Stott

"Understanding Nuclear Technology Transfer to China: Espionage, Cooperation, and Global Dynamics" The leakage of nuclear technology to China has been a complex and controversial issue, involving multiple factors and incidents over several decades. Here are some key points to understand how technology may have been transferred to China: 1. Espionage and Spying: Historically, espionage has been a significant means through which technology, including nuclear technology, has been transferred between countries. There have been cases where individuals or networks within countries with advanced nuclear programs have passed sensitive information to other nations, including China. 2. Scientific Cooperation and Exchange: During certain periods, there have been international collaborations and scientific exchanges where knowledge and even hardware related to nuclear technology might have been inadvertently or deliberately shared with Chinese scientists or institutions. 3. Dual-Use Technology and Economic Interactions: Some technology transfers to China could have occurred through dual-use technologies - technologies that have both civilian and military applications. Economic interactions and collaborations in industries with dual-use capabilities can sometimes lead to unintended transfers of knowledge. 4. Post-Cold War Dynamics: The end of the Cold War and subsequent shifts in geopolitical alliances and economic relationships may have also influenced technology transfers to China. Changes in international trade agreements, scientific collaborations, and military alliances could have impacted the flow of technology. 5. Technological Development and Indigenous Research:** It's important to note that China has also invested heavily in indigenous research and development efforts. While there may have been instances of technology transfer, China has also made significant strides in developing its own scientific and technological capabilities over the decades. 6. Legal and Regulatory Failures:** In some cases, lapses in export controls, inadequate enforcement of intellectual property rights, or insufficient safeguards against technology leakage could have contributed to unauthorized technology transfers. It's crucial to recognize that discussions around technology leakage are often sensitive and subject to geopolitical interpretations. Many specific incidents and mechanisms of technology transfer remain classified or heavily debated in diplomatic circles. #NuclearTechnology #ChinaEspionage #GlobalSecurity #TechnologyTransfer #Geopolitics

The Future of Nuclear Proliferation After Ukraine CISAC Stanford 15 Mar 2024 Speaker: Nicholas L. Miller In the last few years, a number of analysts have warned that we may be on the brink of a more proliferated world, as the security environment deteriorates, concerns about U.S. reliability as a protector are on the rise, hostility between the great powers grows, and the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) seems to be under increasing stress. These fears were supercharged by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which appeared to demonstrate that nuclear weapons can facilitate conquest and that giving them up—as Ukraine did in the early 1990s—exposes states to terrible predation. How worried should we be about the nuclear club expanding in the coming decade? Drawing on lessons from nuclear history, I argue that while proliferation risks are growing, they are significantly more manageable than many analysts suggest. And while the odds of proliferation are increasing in both East Asia and the Middle East, we should be significantly more concerned about the latter.

Lavrov said: "The peaceful use of nuclear energy, which we also discussed, is also promising."  According to a Russian Foreign Ministry transcript of the press conference, Lavrov then added: "We agreed to increase the pace and volume of cooperation in all these areas. We have a common opinion that this work helps to increase the sustainability of our national economies and strengthen the technological sovereignty of Russia and Venezuela. We are ready to share the experience we have accumulated over recent years with our Venezuelan friends."  Gil, in a post on social media platform X, said it was a successful meeting: "We have agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations between our countries, establishing new mechanisms and avenues for cooperation, especially in the tourism, cultural and economic fields."  According the Venezuelan Presidential press service: "Venezuela and Russia are advancing efficiently in the economic-commercial, scientific-technical and humanitarian-cultural areas, prioritising joint projects in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, medicine, education and culture."  #Russia #Venezuela #nuclear #power #energy Click the pic and see more https://lnkd.in/ecUG83aP

Build Fusion energy generators Your talk as Nuclear (meaning only Fission) and fails to talk about fusion. https://lnkd.in/ge_aeX7M You are, as the nuclear fission industry is, ignorant of what's happening around you. Pull your uranium heads out, start adjusting your industry to fusion energy and start preparing to enter the commercially growing fusion energy industry. As it dawns on Earth like the sun. Great Headline Guardian on Nuclear fission. https://lnkd.in/g8sMZtpR Fission is moving towards obsolescence at an accelerated pace, as it is "out of step, out of time, out of place," and merely a temporary industry globally. https://lnkd.in/gbd_mZqk Commercial fusion electrical generation is a promising and innovative method of producing sustainable and clean energy. By 2028, Helion is expected to start producing electricity from its first fusion commercial power plant, which will provide electricity to Microsoft. The plant will produce at least 50 MWe after an initial ramp-up period. https://lnkd.in/gY9J3MQY Now see what news is happening in the Fusion industry in the world. https://lnkd.in/g9hMBD7a As fission trebles, fission fuel shortage is increasingly real, as linked below. https://lnkd.in/gze5rwpr