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While the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons are widely acknowledged, their implications for global governance remain contested in international fora. As a number of states and civil society organizations seek to incorporate the humanitarian agenda into the dialogue around the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), they face resistance from states that rely on nuclear deterrence and stick to security-oriented agendas. This YDCC Policy Brief explores the current state of efforts to advance inclusive risk reduction, victim assistance and environmental remediation within the NPT framework.

Having the longest direct NATO-Russia border, security in Northern Europe is of particular relevance again. This Issue Brief lays out current approaches that Scandinavian states take on balancing deterrence, reassurance and military self-restraint in their region. In addition to deterrence through strong domestic defense capabilities, unilateral policies of restraint have traditionally characterized approaches of long time NATO members Norway and Denmark. The issue Brief highlights recent developments in this approach, including defense cooperation agreements with the United States and evolving military strategies in response to increased perceived Russian threat. It concludes by providing some background for a broader reflection on the future of arms control in the current geopolitical climate.

Europe’s rapidly shifting security landscape has prompted a reevaluation of nuclear sharing policies - and no longer only by NATO. This provides backgound on the practice of nuclear sharing and compares the various forms that nuclear sharing policies and debates take across seven countries. It examines how both domestic and international security dynamics influence the decision-making of current and prospective participants in such arrangements.

The conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996 marked a significant milestone in nuclear non-proliferation efforts, yet the resurgence of nuclear tensions in recent years, as well as developments in Russia and the United States, raises concerns about potential resumption of explosive nuclear testing. This paper examines the shifting geopolitical landscape after the February 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war concerning nuclear testing. It highlights increasing activities at nuclear test sites in China, Russia, and the U.S. that could indicate preparations for testing, alongside the enduring challenges posed by the CTBT's ratification process. Despite geopolitical strains, ongoing support for the CTBT by certain states and the efforts of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) persist nevertheless. Therefore, the paper argues for renewed international cooperation in bolstering the CTBT framework to mitigate the risks associated with nuclear testing.

Global nuclear arsenals have declined considerably to approximately 13,000 warheads, mainly due to bilateral nuclear arms control agreements between Russia and the United States. However, other states also maintain substantial arsenals that are not covered by these treaties or agreements. China, India, and Pakistan are even expanding their capacities. Current geopolitical tensions hinder further disarmament progress, but future agreements will need to adopt a more inclusive approach involving all nuclear-armed states. This paper discusses various approaches to address all nuclear weapons in order to achieve greater nuclear stability. Additionally, the paper examines potential formats for future negotiations, involving the UNSC Permanent Five and possibly other nuclear-armed states, focusing on risk reduction, confidence-building, and transparency measures.