Although the end of the Cold War initially led many to believe that the threat of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons (also known as “non-conventional weapons”) would gradually disappear, events over the past few years have continued to remind us that this has not occurred. In fact, ranging from the crisis of the nuclear non-proliferation system to the re-launch of the arms race via the threat of use of weapons of mass destruction by terrorist groups, non-conventional weapons proliferation and disarmament issues are snowballing. GRIP’s current expertise focuses on developments in major nuclear, biological and chemical weapons non-proliferation treaties and in certain key countries like North Korea and Iran. GRIP also pays particular attention to European Union policy in this field and to the question of dual-use goods and technologies and missiles.
Industry: master piece in the struggle against illegal trafficking of dual use items (Mehdi Mekdour)
The illegal exports of dual use items pose a major risk to the struggle against the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Faced with this danger, public authorities have adopted new policies, progressively paying more attention to the role of exporting companies. In particular the latter are requested to become more aware of their duties in matter of illegal exports of dual use items. Their commitments take the shape of “internal compliance programmes” initiated by some companies. Belgian companies also need to comply with this new dynamic.
U.S. tactical nuclear weapons in Europe: The issues concerning a possible withdrawal (Bérangère Rouppert)
On the eve of NATO Summit in Chicago on 21 and 22 May 2012 where the Review of the posture of defense and deterrence will be made public (Defence and Deterrence Posture Review), the issue of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons in Europe is back on the agenda. They were deployed in the mid-1950s by the United States and Russia.
GRIP ANALYSIS • 2011/08/17
