Strengthening the Global Nuclear Order

For decades, countries with nuclear weapons have operated within a global governance architecture comprising bilateral and multilateral agreements, norms, and international institutions. This global nuclear order has frayed and now stands at an inflection point.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and nuclear saber-rattling, China’s rapidly expanding nuclear arsenal, and the United States’ ongoing effort to modernize and potentially expand its nuclear arsenal have raised challenging questions about the role of nuclear weapons and deterrence in regional and global security. At the same time, political, military, and expert-level engagement on nuclear issues between these countries has atrophied and core arms control treaties have collapsed. Emerging technologies are intersecting with nuclear risks in disruptive and unpredictable ways, creating complications that will only escalate as these technologies develop. These dynamics necessitate a reimagined approach to nuclear risk management.

The Global Nuclear Order project convenes a diverse group of experts from across the Euro-Atlantic and Asia-Pacific regions to analyze these developments and generate practical recommendations for reducing nuclear risks in the near- and long-term. The project seeks to lay the foundation for a newer, safer, and more enduring global nuclear architecture that will better position countries to manage and ultimately eliminate the threats posed by nuclear weapons and related technologies.