16 Apr 2025
Trump puts nuclear weapons on the agenda. The world should listen
A “nuclear triumvirate” of the United States, Russia and China could make a difference.
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15 Apr 2025
Understanding doubts over US extended nuclear deterrence in Asia
The tenuous logic of trading Seattle for Seoul is being further tested by Trump administration. -
11 Apr 2025
Why Oman? Explaining the choice of venue for US-Iran talks
Oman’s skill as a facilitator has been fine-tuned over decades – not that many know. -
31 Mar 2025
From MAD to TikTok: The generational shift in nuclear thinking
If Gen Z and Gen Alpha don’t much think about nuclear weapons, they may unintentionally weaken the very structures that have prevented catastrophe for decades. -
10 Mar 2025
Myanmar's impossible plutonium puzzle
Is Myanmar hiding a secret nuclear reactor and reprocessing facility to produce the core ingredient for a nuclear weapon? Or was this just a scam? -
4 Feb 2025
Trump and the global nuclear order
The impact of the President’s second term on the global nuclear order could be profoundly negative. -
6 Dec 2024
Hans Blix: The arms control Einstein who turned 96 this year
A consensus-builder who believes nuclear weapons are never in safe hands, no matter who holds them. -
5 Nov 2024
What’s new in Russia’s latest nuclear statement?
Vladimir Putin has rattled his sabre once again in the face of US and NATO deliberations on Ukraine’s use of weapons. -
30 Sep 2024
China's missile tests New Zealand's principles
There are three reasons why China’s missile test is a serious challenge to New Zealand’s interests. -
29 Aug 2024
US shifts nuclear focus to counter China’s growing arsenal
Beijing’s nuclear modernisation means its intentions and commitments to non-proliferation will continue to be questioned. -
19 Jun 2024
Nuclear subs, nuclear power … could nuclear weapons be next?
The Australian public has shown a willingness to go along with what was once unthinkable. -
5 Dec 2023
Indonesia ratifies nuclear weapons ban treaty. Australia should too.
Why does the government remain at odds with the vast majority of its neighbours? -
3 Nov 2023
Australian leadership in Indo‑Pacific nuclear diplomacy
With growing state capabilities in the region, “guardrails” are more important than ever. Canberra can help. -
2 Oct 2023
French criticism of nuclear ban treaty highlights Canberra’s dilemma
Can Australia rebuild a strategic military partnership with France at the same time as independence movements claim Pacific support? -
25 Aug 2023
The social licence for AUKUS has not yet been earned
Convincing Australians that nuclear-powered subs are needed, and worth the $368 billion price tag, is a hard sell. -
7 Aug 2023
For America’s atomic bomb legacy, the past is present
The fallout of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – as well as nuclear testing in the Pacific – continues to hang over the US regional reputation. -
17 Apr 2023
AUKUS: What to do with nuclear waste?
Only by investing in community consent – “social licence” – can the government be certain about long-term storage plans. -
13 Sep 2022
Has Southeast Asia warmed to AUKUS one year on?
The shock of surprise has faded and a new tone from new voices may ease some concerns. But objections remain. -
29 Jul 2022
Can we please have a real debate on nuclear submarines?
It looks suspiciously as if a decision is already made, even with a promised 18-month investigation only half-way done. -
25 Jul 2022
Australia and the Nuclear Ban Treaty
If disarmament is to be truly realistic, the world needs to change the conversation about nuclear weapons. -
14 Mar 2022
Ukraine war triggers debate on Japan’s nuclear option
In a new and volatile strategic environment, a decades-old commitment on non-proliferation is up for discussion. -
25 Feb 2022
Keeping Australian uranium out of Russian hands – and bombs
After MH17 was shot down the Abbott government banned yellowcake sales to Russia. But then struck a deal with Ukraine… -
22 Feb 2022
Damage limitation and US nuclear strategy
In an atomic world, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. -
29 Dec 2021
An AUKUS surprise – Best of The Interpreter 2021
An extraordinary decision put Australia at the centre of regional defence debates. -
2 Nov 2021
Arms control is not just about arms
Getting US-Russia arms control talks on track can weaken the Russia-China partnership and strengthen US-Vietnam ties. -
6 Sep 2021
Japan’s nuclear identity and the complicated endgame
The legacy of a complex nuclear history weighs heavily on a country torn between deterrence and disarmament. -
19 Aug 2021
China’s new silos: Nuclear arms control more urgent than ever
News of huge missile silo fields shows dumb luck is no basis for managing a risk of nuclear catastrophe. -
22 Jan 2021
Russia-US relations in 2021: Key things to watch out for
For all the talk of China, the Russia factor is still a huge challenge for the Biden administration. -
21 Jan 2021
A “No-First-Use” doctrine would undermine American nuclear deterrence
And Australia should make clear to the Biden administration any such commitment is not in the interests of allies. -
2 Nov 2020
Nuclear Ban Treaty: Wishful thinking over realism
Lacking enforcement mechanisms or a practical path to elimination, the treaty has little chance of being effective. -
5 Aug 2020
Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Existing nuclear arms control deals are dead or dying, but that should not be an excuse to give up disarmament hopes. -
15 Jun 2020
Arms control or out of control?
Revoking hard-won arms control achievements seems nothing less than madness. -
3 May 2019
North Korea’s uranium and prospects of a stealthier bomb
Counting Pyongyang’s missiles for potential nuclear weapons is understandable but perhaps we need to think smaller, too. -
16 Nov 2018
It’s time to fill Asia’s arms control void
The post-Cold War arms control architecture is crumbling, and if it can’t be salvaged, something new is required. -
26 Sep 2018
EU and Iran push back against US sanctions
The sight of the EU and Iran jointly announcing a plan to blunt a signature US initiative must infuriate Washington. -
8 Dec 2017
Does the nuclear weapon ban treaty warrant the Nobel Prize?
Australia should not sign the ban treaty. But the need for nuclear disarmament has not diminished.