Programs & Projects

The Nuclear Policy Centre web page consolidates the Lowy Institute’s expanding range of publications and activities on nuclear issues. Priority topics include the future of non-proliferation and disarmament, nuclear strategic challenges in Asia, the role of the civil nuclear industry in non-proliferation, and Australia’s nuclear policy dilemmas. Much of the Institute’s work on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament is supported through a partnership with the Nuclear Security Project involving George Shultz, Henry Kissinger, William Perry and Sam Nunn. The Institute is also an associated research centre for the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, and a partner in the Australian Research Council project on Australia’s Nuclear Choices. 

French strategic perspectives Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Three views from Paris At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 17 March, the Lowy Institute was pleased to present a panel of three of France’s leading security thinkers, Camille Grand, François Heisbourg and Bruno Tertrais, each offering an individual view on the major strategic challenges facing France today. Camille Grand is director of the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), François Heisbourg is Chairman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), and Bruno Tertrais is senior research fellow at FRS. The discussion was moderated by the Lowy Institute’s Program Director for International Security, Rory Medcalf. The Lowy Institute acknowledges the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in bringing the three visitors to Australia. The panellists' presentations can be heard here: French strategic perspectives - MP3 (21MB) More

South West Asia and China - can nuclear Wednesday Lowy Lunch - Panellists' presentations At Lunch at Lowy on 16 February an exceptional panel of visiting international experts and policy practitioners from India, Pakistan, China and the USA discussed the risks of nuclear competition between the nuclear armed states in South West Asia and China. ... More   Expert panel Eliminating nuclear threats Following the launch by Prime Ministers Rudd and... More

Abolish nuclear weapons? Not so fast The vital place of nuclear weapons in 21st century US national security strategy Kevin Rudd launched the report of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament in Tokyo on 15 December. In this publication Franklin C. Miller, a former senior US government official with extensive involvement in nuclear policy making over five Administrations, makes the case for the United States maintaining a strong, safe and credible nuclear deterrent in the 21st century. The Lowy Institute is pleased to issue this Perspective as one of a series of views on nuclear policy. Download item (287KB)

Nuclear arms control Toward a nuclear weapons free world: a Chinese perspective In this publication, leading Chinese security scholar Shen Dingli offers a point of view on Beijing’s constraints and objectives as it decides how to engage with the new global push for nuclear disarmament, including such initiatives as President Obama’s nuclear-weapon-free-world campaign and the Australian-Japanese International Commission for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, due to report at the end of 2009. The Lowy Institute has issued this perspective to expand the range of views published under its partnership with the Nuclear Security Project (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org). Download item (372KB)

Franklin Miller and Andrew Shearer opinion piece U.S. disarmament is dangerous for Asia In an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, Franklin Miller and Andrew Shearer argue that the US nuclear deterrent remains the cornerstone of stability in Asia and caution regional governments against embracing some of the key recommendations of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. Wall Street Journal, 17 December 2009 Download item (67KB)

Third Dr John Gee Memorial lecture Abolishing all nuclear weapons The Right Hon Malcolm Fraser, AC CH, Former Prime Minister of Australia, delivered the 2009 Dr John Gee Memorial Lecture presented by the ANU Strategic and Defence Studies Centre and the Lowy Institute for International Policy. Mr Fraser addressed the current state of nuclear weapons acquisition and distribution and the present danger and opportunities facing the world. He covered the failures in disarmament and non-proliferation and the implications and security challenges nuclear weapons have for Australian Defence policy. His lecture can be heard here. Download item (237KB)

Australia-India nuclear diplomacy Unconventional partners: Australia-India cooperation in reducing nuclear dangers In this Policy Brief, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf and his Indian co-author Amandeep Gill argue that an innovative partnership between Australia and India would help erode the entrenched blocs that impede progress on nuclear disarmament. Their recommendations include: a leaders’ statement; a specialised bilateral dialogue; and practical cooperation on non-proliferation export controls, with Australia promoting Indian involvement in the so-called Australia Group to raise comfort levels between New Delhi and other such arrangements. This publication was produced under the Lowy Institute’s partnership with the Nuclear Security project (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org). Download item (555KB)

Nuclear Policy Centre Lowy Institute Panel: Can Obama's disarmament agenda work? On 29 September, the Lowy Institute convened an expert panel to examine the implications of President Obama's push to reduce nuclear dangers, as well as to debate broader questions about nuclear disarmament. Moderated by Executive Director Dr Michael Wesley, the panel also included Deputy Director Martine Letts, Intl. Security Program Director Rory Medcalf, and the Griffith Asia Institute Director-designate Dr Andrew O'Neil. The event also marked the launch of the Nuclear Policy Centre web page which consolidates the Institute's expanding range of publications and activities on nuclear issues. This panel discussion was supported by the Institute's partnership with the Nuclear Security Project (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org). More

Nuclear arms in Asia Wicked weapons: Rory Medcalf interview In the lead up to President Obama’s historic UN nuclear summit, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf was interviewed on ABC Radio current affairs program PM about his Lowy Institute Analysis, 'Wicked Weapons: North Asia’s Nuclear Tangle'. The interview is available at: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2009/s2692351.htm More

Nuclear disarmament Parliamentary report on nuclear disarmament: Lowy Institute input On 17 September 2009 an Australian parliamentary committee released its report on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, with recommendations for Australian policy. The report makes extensive reference to testimony from Lowy Institute staff Martine Letts and Rory Medcalf. The report can be found here: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/nuclearnon_proliferation/report.htm Mr Medcalf’s testimony can be found here: http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/joint/commttee/J11853.pdf Ms Letts' testimony can be found here: http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/joint/commttee/J11885.pdf More

Preparing for the second nuclear age: Australia's role Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Martine Letts presentation At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 30 September, Deputy Director Martine Letts explored prospects for partnership between government and industry on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and how Australia could lead. Her presentation can be heard here: Preparing for the second nuclear age - MP3 (20MB) A video of the presentation can be watched by clicking the photo above. More

New Lowy Institute Analysis Wicked weapons: North Asia's nuclear tangle The United States faces major challenges in engaging China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula in its quest for nuclear disarmament. In this new Lowy Institute Analysis, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf explores the ‘wicked’ nature of the region’s nuclear insecurity: how fixing one part of the problem risks aggravating others. He recommends ways forward, involving mutual and coordinated concessions among the United States, Japan and China, and taking account of the region’s strategic realities. This publication is supported by the Lowy Institute’s partnership with the Nuclear Security Project of the Nuclear Threat Initiative: www.nuclearsecurityproject.org. This project builds on the 2007 Wall Street Journal article 'A World Free of Nuclear Weapons' by George Shultz, William Perry, Henry Kissinger and Sam Nunn. Download item (536KB)

ICNND research paper The role of the civil nuclear industry in preventing proliferation Lowy Institute Deputy Director Martine Letts and Research Associate Fiona Cunningham prepared a paper for the Second Meeting of the International Commission on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament in Washington, DC, 13-15 February 2009, entitled 'The role of the civil nuclear industry in preventing proliferation and in managing the second nuclear age'. Download item (282KB)

Wicked weapons: North Asia's nuclear tangle Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Rory Medcalf presentation At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 24 June, Rory Medcalf, Program Director International Security, drew upon recent consultations in the region to warn that efforts to reduce global nuclear dangers will founder if they do not account for the rising strategic concerns of North Asian powers, especially China and Japan. Mr Medcalf’s research for this presentation was supported by the Lowy Institute’s partnership with the Nuclear Security Project (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org). His presentation can be heard here: Wicked weapons - MP3 (19MB) Video of this presentation is also available. More

Sam Roggeveen opinion piece Hard to fight the nukes of hazard In an opinion piece in The Sydney Morning Herald, Sam Roggeveen, editor of the Lowy Institute's blog, The Interpreter, argues that nuclear weapons give North Korea exactly what it wants - security for the regime and the country. Nothing the US can offer will do that job better than nuclear weapons. Sydney Morning Herald, 27 May 2009, p. 11 Download item (65KB)

Nuclear arms control Nuclear disarmament: the need for a new theory In this Lowy Institute Perspective, Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman examines what a realistic assessment of the developing state of the international system might mean for current efforts to reduce nuclear dangers and pursue the abolition of nuclear weapons. This publication is based on a lecture Professor Freedman presented at the Lowy Institute in February 2009, under the Lowy Institute's partnership with the Nuclear Security Project of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org). Download item (343KB)

Sam Roggeveen opinion piece How do you solve a problem like North Korea? Not by force In an opinion piece in The Age, Sam Roggeveen, editor of The Interpreter, the weblog of the Lowy Institute, argues that sitting down to talk to Pyongyang would be more effective than a show of muscle. The Age, 27 March 2009, p. 13 Download item (68KB)

Nuclear disarmament: the need for a new theory Distinguished Speaker Series - Sir Lawrence Freedman presentation The global threat from nuclear weapons is growing, yet so too is a new international push for nuclear disarmament. On Wednesday 25 February 2009 at a lecture in the Lowy Institute's Distinguished Speakers Series, Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman examined what realistic assessments of the developing state of the international system might mean for current efforts to reduce nuclear dangers. This event was held under the Lowy Institute's partnership with the Nuclear Security Project of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org). This project builds on the 2007 Wall Street Journal article 'A World Free of Nuclear Weapons' by George Shultz, William Perry, Henry Kissinger and Sam Nunn. The presentation, 'Nuclear disarmament: the need for a new theory' can be heard here: Nuclear disarmament - MP3 (23MB More

Nuclear arms control Lowy Institute partnership with Nuclear Threat Initiative The Lowy Institute for International Policy has joined the US-based Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) as a partner in research and dialogue to reduce nuclear dangers. With a grant from the Nuclear Threat Initiative, the Lowy Institute will be a partner to NTI's Nuclear Security Project, which builds on the 2007 Wall Street Journal op-ed 'A World Free of Nuclear Weapons' by George Shultz, William Perry, Henry Kissinger and Sam Nunn. The Lowy Institute’s work, to be managed by its International Security Program, will involve consultations on nuclear issues with officials, experts and opinion-makers in Australia and key Asian states, public lectures on the challenge of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and the publication of original research proposing fresh policy approaches. Further details of the Lowy-NTI partnership are available in this press release. Download item (189KB)

Nuclear security Nuclear security: what else can Australia do? Nuclear dangers are growing, yet so is a new 'realistic idealist' campaign for nuclear disarmament. In this Lowy Institute Policy Brief, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf suggests ways Australia might contribute to nuclear security in Asia and globally, in addition to the new international Commission that Canberra is co-sponsoring with Tokyo. These include rebuilding Australia's diplomatic capacity in arms control, urging the new US Administration to reduce American reliance on nuclear weapons, and starting a leaders' dialogue in Asia. A separate Lowy Institute Analysis provides background and further detail. Download item (399KB)

Martine Letts opinion piece Commission should promote disarmament and safe civil nuclear management In an opinion piece in The Australian, Lowy Institute Deputy Director Martine Letts argues that the new Non-proliferation and Disarmament Commission should provide a blueprint for the future management of an more complex and dangerous nuclear world. Download item (67KB)

Nuclear security Restraining nuclear arms in the Asian century: an agenda for Australia In this Lowy Institute Analysis, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf provides background and detail for his proposals for renewed Australian activism on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament issues, introduced in the Lowy Institute Policy Brief 'Nuclear security: what else can Australia do?' Download item (434KB)

Media Release International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament The Prime Ministers of Australia and Japan formally launched the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND) today. The Commission will seek to reinvigorate, at a high political level, global progress on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The Lowy Institute will assist the Commission through its Advisory Board and as one of seven Associated Research Centres from around the world. For further information, please see the Commission's media release here. Download item (193KB)

Rory Medcalf opinion piece Time to reckon with nuclear region In this opinion piece in The Australian Financial Review, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf summarises key messages from his recent policy brief about a nuclear disarmament agenda for Australia. He notes that support for the US-India nuclear deal obliges Canberra to step up its global disarmament diplomacy, and that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has an opportunity to promote dialogue among Asian leaders on nuclear restraint in the region. Australian Financial Review, 11 September 2008, p. 71 Download item (63KB)

Australia-India strategic ties Bridging the nuclear divide In this opinion piece in the Indian Express, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf argues that India should appreciate that Australia has come a long way in changing its nuclear policy by supporting the US-India deal in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The next step should be for India and Australia to work together on arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament initiatives. Indian Express, 10 September 2008, p. 10 Download item (80KB)

Nuclear arms control India's disarmament drive an idea worth pursuing India's tenth anniversary commemoration of its nuclear weapons tests was curiously low-key. In this opinion piece in The Australian, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf argues that India's rekindled rhetoric about nuclear disarmament offers diplomatic openings for Australia and other countries interested in reducing nuclear dangers globally. The Australian, 12 May 2008, p. 8 Download item (64KB)

Lowy Institute co-hosts workshop with CIGI The nuclear energy revival and global governance On 10-11 April 2008, the Lowy Institute co-hosted a workshop on 'The nuclear energy revival and global governance: Asia-Pacific perspectives' with the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Waterloo, Canada. The aim of the workshop was to consider the future of nuclear energy in the Asia-Pacific region, the likely speed and nature of growth in the sector, and the impact that this might have on nuclear governance in the areas of safety, security, waste management and nuclear weapons proliferation. The workshop was part of a worldwide project on 'Nuclear energy futures: implications for global governance' being conducted by CIGI with the Canadian Centre for Treaty Compliance (CCTC) at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa. The project will result in a public report to be be released in 2009. For further information see www.cigionline.ca. For information on the CCTC visit www.carleton.ca/cctc. More

Nuclear energy and security Nuclear power in Southeast Asia: Implications for Australia and non-proliferation This Lowy Institute Analysis by regional energy specialist Andrew Symon explores the reasons and prospects for increased interest in nuclear power in Southeast Asia, as well as implications for Australia and nuclear weapons non-proliferation. A key issue is whether countries will embark on sensitive segments of the fuel cycle. Approaches to help allay such concerns include international fuel supply mechanisms and the possibility of a co-operative approach to nuclear power development within ASEAN. Australia, as a major uranium supplier, regional neighbour and supporter of non-proliferation, will want to ensure that nuclear power in Southeast Asia develops safely and in a context of co-operation. Download item (608KB)

Nuclear power in Southeast Asia Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Andrew Symon presentation On 9 April at the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy, Singapore-based analyst and journalist Andrew Symon spoke about the increasing interest in nuclear energy in Southeast Asia, to coincide with the launch of a Lowy Institute Analysis written by him on the same topic, 'Nuclear power in Southeast Asia: implications for Australia and non-proliferation'. His presentation is available here in PowerPoint: Nuclear power in Southeast Asia - PPT (17MB) His presentation can be heard here: Nuclear power in Southeast Asia - MP3 (21MB) More

Nuclear arms control and disarmament Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Rory Medcalf presentation At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 12 March 2008, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf proposed a new type of arms control initiative for the Rudd Government, one focused primarily on Asia and its rising nuclear-armed powers China and India. His presentation, 'Nuclear arms control and disarmament: What can Australia do?' can be heard here: Nuclear arms control and disarmament - MP3 (18MB) More

Arsenals of Folly, reviewed by Sam Roggeveen How we missed a chance for peace Sam Roggeveen, editor of the Lowy Institute blog, The Interpreter, reviews Arsenals of Folly: The Making of the Nuclear Arms Race, by Richard Rhodes. Sydney Morning Herald, 2 February 2008, p. S28 Download item (59KB)

Nuclear arms control Stopping a nuclear arms race between America and China China and America may be at the start of a destabilising nuclear arms race, as China tries to preserve its ability to deter US nuclear attack in the light of US missile defences and nuclear system upgrades. That would undermine hopes that the US and China can build a stable cooperative relationship as China's power grows. So Australia has a big interest in trying to help head off the risk of an arms race. In a new Lowy Institute Policy Brief, Hugh White suggests that there is something simple we could try. Download item (598KB)

Non-proliferation diplomacy Uranium sales to India appear inevitable, but there's still scope for a better price In an extended opinion piece in the Melbourne Age, Rory Medcalf, Program Director, International Security, explores how Australia might agree to sell uranium to India in ways consistent with shared interests in reducing nuclear dangers globally. A shorter version of this article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald and the online Brisbane Times. The Age, 6 August 2007, p. 11 Sydney Morning Herald, 6 August 2007, p. 11 Download item (18KB)

Inaugural John Gee Memorial Lecture Weapons of mass destruction: maintaining the rage The inaugural John Gee Memorial Lecture, 'Weapons of mass destruction: maintaining the rage', was delivered by Gareth Evans, President, International Crisis Group, at the Australian National University, Canberra, on 16 August 2007, in conjunction with the Lowy Institute for International Policy. A transcript of the lecture can be downloaded here. The lecture can also be heard here. Download item (269KB)

A nuclear arms race between China and the US Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Professor Hugh White presentation On 23 May at the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy, Visiting Fellow Hugh White spoke on the topic 'A nuclear arms race between China and the United States: what Australia can do to stop it'. His presentation can be heard here: A nuclear arms race between China and the US - MP3 (20MB) More

The nuclear non-proliferation system Uranium for India: avoiding the pitfalls In a new Lowy Institute Policy Brief, Ron Walker, a former Australian Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, warns that selling uranium to India without the same legal obligations and non-proliferation standards that apply to our other customers could undermine our broader foreign policy interests and weaken the national consensus to continue uranium mining and exports. The Brief argues that instead of making an exception for India, Australia should work to strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation system and engage India in that process. The result could be a more effective non-proliferation regime and one that includes India and, potentially, one day, the other two NPT holdouts. Ron Walker is a Visiting Fellow at the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy at the Australian National University. He was Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1993-1994. Download item (352KB)

Arms control Another nuclear arms race is in the offing In this opinion piece, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White writes that there are ways Australia can help reduce the risk of a nuclear arms race between the United States and China. Sydney Morning Herald, 10 May 2007, p. 11 The Age, 10 May 2007, p. 15 Download item (17KB)

Opinion piece in Times of India Uranium thorn This opinion piece by Rory Medcalf in the Times of India is a version of an article previously published in the Australian Financial Review. It argues that Australia should try to reconcile its uranium and non-proliferation policies with India's rise. Times of India, 20 April 2007 Download item (16KB)

Nuclear issues and international security Uranium and India: keep options open Rory Medcalf, Program Director, International Security, writes in this opinion piece that Australia should try to reconcile its uranium and non-proliferation policies with India's rise. Australian Financial Review, 4 April 2007 Download item (16KB)