In the fourth episode of The Arms Control Poseur, host Timothy Wright and his guest Prof Dr Karim El-Baz explore the complex landscape of missile proliferation in the Middle East. Together, they discuss the historical and strategic foundations that influence state and non-state actors to develop or possess missile capabilities. With the global arms control architecture being increasingly under greater pressure, Prof Dr El-Baz also provides expertise on the potential pathways for transparency...

In the third episode of season 3, podcast host Fabian Hinz is joined by Amnah Ibraheem to discuss the critical developments in missile technology, nuclear energy policies and defence strategies across the Middle East. How does the growing importance of missile systems shape the strategic calculations of regional powers like Iran and Israel, and how do such advancements influence the broader political landscape? Episode three provides impactful insights into critical developments in missile...

In this episode of The Arms Control Poseur, the podcast delves into the critical role of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in regulating the international arms trade and promoting global security. Host Wolf-Christian Paes is joined by expert Roy Isbister to explore how the ATT is shaping global arms control efforts, the challenges it faces and its impact on conflict zones. With the proliferation of weapons being a key issue in international security, the second episode of season three provides an...

In the first episode of season 3, podcast host Wolf-Christian Paes is joined by Dr Aaron Arnold to discuss the future of the North Korean UN Sanctions Regime.  As the regime continues its nuclear ambitions and tests the patience of the international community, we examine how effective the current sanctions are, what changes could be on the horizon, and how global powers like the U.S., China and Russia are influencing the future of these measures. This episode provides a nuanced analysis of...

Ambassador Jarmo Viinanen joins William on the last episode of the second season of The Arms Control Poseur podcast, to talk about the First Session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) of the 2026 Review Conference (RevCon) of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Amb. Viinanen walks us through the challenges that were faced during the session (such as the circumstances in Ukraine, Russia, Iran and North Korea), and the lessons learned for the future...

On the ninth episode of season 2, William is joined by Laura J. Gross to discuss the completion of the destruction of the US chemical weapons stockpile.   In order to understand the current commitments of the United States to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), Laura J. Gross joins William to discuss the completion of the destruction of the US chemical weapons stockpile, which was announced on the 7th of July 2023. This destruction was then verified by the Organisation for the Prohibition...

William is joined by Anna Péczeli to discuss Russian perspectives on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Partial and Threshold Bans.    Following the Russian withdrawal of its ratification of the CTBT, Anna explores the history of Russian nuclear signalling, the Russian rhetoric on the CTBT and its future. They also examine the functioning of the CTBT, its history and achievements, and the consequences of the Russian withdrawal. This episode provides a deep dive into the...

William is joined by Anna Péczeli to discuss Russian perspectives on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Partial and Threshold Bans.    Following the Russian withdrawal of its ratification of the CTBT, Anna explores the history of Russian nuclear signalling, the Russian rhetoric on the CTBT and its future. They also examine the functioning of the CTBT, its history and achievements, and the consequences of the Russian withdrawal. This episode provides a deep dive into the...

In the seventh episode of season 2, host William Alberque is joined by Allison Pytlak, Cyber Program Lead at the Stimson Center, to explore the challenges and multifaceted nature of maintaining secure cyberspace.    William and Allison delve into the complexities of cyber threats ranging from state-sponsored activities to non-state actors, discussing the roles of arms control and non-proliferation in managing these threats. The discussion covers significant ground on how international laws,...

Podcast host William Alberque welcomes Leonardo Bandera to discuss the legacy of the Cuban Missile Crisis and its impact on nuclear non-proliferation efforts in Latin America.   The discussion covers the historical backdrop of nuclear threats in the region, the inception of these treaties, and their impact on preventing nuclear proliferation. Insights into the operational and political challenges faced during the treaties' negotiations offer listeners a deeper understanding of how these...

William Alberque is joined by Dr Simona Soare to explore the nuances of AI as a dual-use technology, its integration into military and civilian sectors, and the ethical, legal, and strategic challenges it represents.  This episode delves into specific concerns such as AI in autonomous weapons, facial recognition and societal monitoring, discussing the potential for both innovation and oversight. They discuss the global efforts to govern AI’s military applications, including international...

In the fourth episode of season 2, host William Alberque is joined by Simon Cleobury, Head of Arms Control and Disarmament at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, to discuss the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its connection to arms control.  William Alberque and Simon Cleobury delve into the intricate world of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of arms control, examining the dual-edged sword AI represents in modern warfare and disarmament efforts. They explore the pressing...

In the third episode of season 2, host William Alpert delves into the intricate relationship between gender perspectives, arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament. Joined by Federica Dall’Arche, a senior research associate at the Vienna Centre for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, along with colleagues Louis Reitmann and Mara Zarka, the discussion illuminates the nuanced ways in which gender affects and is affected by weapons and warfare.  The conversation explores the historical...

In the second episode of season 2, podcast host William Alberque delves into the crucial role of women in the fields of arms control, non-proliferation, and disarmament.     William Alberque is joined by guests Mara Zarka, Louis Reitmann, and Federica Dall’Arche  from the Vienna Centre for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) to discuss the historical contributions of women to disarmament movements, the current landscape of gender representation in arms control and the systemic...

In the first episode of season 2, podcast host William Alberque dives into the intricate world of feminist foreign policy and its impact on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.    William Alberque is joined by Louis Reitmann from the Vienna Centre for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), along with two VCDNP colleagues, Mara Zarka and Federica Dall’Arche to explore the evolving concept of feminist foreign policy, its roots, and its implications for global security and nuclear...

In the ninth episode of The Arms Control Poseur, host William Alberque is joined by Mike Albertson, an experienced arms-control expert and former negotiator on the New START treaty, to discuss the significant topic of Russia's suspension of New START. The episode offers a detailed analysis of the current state of New START and the events leading to Russia's suspension. Mike Albertson provides an in-depth perspective on the future of strategic arms control, including the potential for a...

In the eighth episode of The Arms Control Poseur podcast, host William Alberque is joined by Sahil Shah, a Senior Fellow and Program Manager at the Council on Strategic Risks, to discuss the crucial topic of nuclear risk reduction. This episode is a comprehensive exploration into the mechanisms and strategies of nuclear risk reduction, offering valuable insights for anyone interested in the fields of international security, arms control, and global diplomacy. Sahil’s expertise and the...

In the seventh episode of The Arms Control Poseur podcast, host William Alberque is joined by Manuel Herrera, a researcher in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament, to discuss the complex and evolving landscape of Iran’s nuclear programme. The episode delves into critical efforts to control Iran's nuclear ambitions, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Agreement. Manuel...

In the sixth episode of The Arms Control Poseur, host William Alberque is joined by Emmanuelle Maitre, a Research Fellow at the Foundation for Strategic Research, to discuss critical issue of missile proliferation. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the past, present, and future challenges of missile proliferation, including the threats posed by ballistic and cruise missiles. Emmanuelle discusses key countermeasures such as the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Hague Code of...

In the fifth episode of The Arms Control Poseur podcast, host William Alberque is joined by Ambassador Aidan Liddle, the UK's Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, to explore the vital topic of security in outer space. Ambassador Liddle provides an in-depth overview of the history and current state of Outer Space Agreements and the legal frameworks that govern them. He discusses the formation and vision of the Open Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats...

In the fourth episode of The Arms Control Poseur, host William Alberque is joined by Mallory Stewart, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability at the US Department of State. Stewart offers a comprehensive analysis of the current US–Russia arms-control landscape, including the challenges and strategic responses in the face of treaty suspensions and global security concerns. She delves into the pandemic-era cessation of inspections, Russia's suspension of...

In this insightful episode of The Arms Control Poseur, Dr Hanna Notte, a distinguished expert in Middle Eastern geopolitics, takes us through the historic efforts to establish arms control in the Middle East. She provides a comprehensive oral history of the multilateral discussions from the early 1990s, focusing on the Arms Control and Regional Security (ACRS) working group. Dr Notte examines the successes and challenges of these talks, their connection with the Middle East Weapons of Mass...

In the second episode of The Arms Control Poseur podcast, host William Alberque is joined by Dr Jeffrey Lewis, a renowned professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, to discuss the state of arms control with North Korea. Dr Lewis guides listeners through the current North Korean crisis, examining the arms-control agreements that govern it, the global reactions, and the lessons to be learned. He also discusses the historical context of North Korea's nuclear...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Arms Control Poseur, a thought-provoking podcast series brought to you by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) on behalf of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC). This series delves into the intricate world of arms control, addressing critical issues related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems, as well as the impact of disruptive technologies on global...