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Page 3 of 11
Commentary

European perspectives on the Non-Proliferation Treaty: Ireland

In May, States Parties to the NPT will meet for the 11th Review Conference under difficult circumstances. In the second of our commentary series exploring different European perspectives, Ciarán Doyle, a diplomat from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, reflects on Ireland’s perspective on the Treaty and its approach to the 2026 Review Conference. He writes about the importance Ireland places on the Treaty as a small, militarily neutral country, and calls for a commitment to enhanced transparency and accountability from the nuclear-weapon states.

23 February 2026 | Ciarán Doyle
NPTMultilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-ProliferationNPT ProjectNPTNuclear Arms ControlNuclear DisarmamentNuclear SecurityNuclear Weapons
Commentary

P5 perspectives on the 2026 NPT Review Conference: France

The first in our series exploring P5 perspectives on the forthcoming 2026 NPT Review Conference, Emmanuelle Maitre writes that for France, constructive participation in the RevCon will require delicate balancing. At the P5 level, preserving dialogue despite strong opposition remains a priority, but must not prevent calling out behaviours of concern related to the NPT.

18 February 2026 | Emmanuelle Maitre
NPTMultilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-ProliferationNPT ProjectFranceNPTNuclear Arms ControlNuclear WeaponsRisk Reduction
Commentary

Life without the New START Treaty: What nuclear weapons states can do to help strengthen the non-proliferation regime

On 4th February, the New START Treaty – the last treaty constraining the nuclear weapons of the United States and Russia – expired. We now face the prospect that the half-century process of reducing the number of nuclear weapons in the world is about to be reversed. Although this situation appears bleak, Edward Ifft writes that there are constructive measures nuclear weapons states can take to reinforce global stability.

17 February 2026 | Edward Ifft
Multilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-ProliferationNPTNuclear Arms ControlNuclear SecurityNuclear Weapons
Commentary

European perspectives on the Non-Proliferation Treaty: Italy

In May, States Parties to the NPT will meet for the 11th Review Conference under difficult circumstances. While European support for and leadership in the NPT is more urgent than ever, it could be complicated by diverging priorities among European states. In the first of our commentary series exploring different European perspectives, YGLN member Federica Dall’Arche reflects on Italy’s perspective on the Treaty and its approach to the 2026 Review Conference. She writes that rather than focusing on ambitious normative breakthroughs, priority should be given to preserving the Treaty’s role as a stabilising framework.

5 February 2026 | Federica Dall’Arche
NPTMultilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-ProliferationNPT ProjectArms ControlDefenceDiplomacyEuropeItalyNuclear Arms ControlNuclear SecurityRisk Reduction
Commentary

Significant achievements — Yet Iran’s nuclear challenge remains unresolved

While Israel and the US achieved meaningful operational successes against Iran’s nuclear programme in June 2025, the problem is far from resolved. Despite substantial damage to Iran’s infrastructure, Tehran can still—at least theoretically—move toward a nuclear weapon. As US and Iranian negotiators are due to meet this Friday in Oman for direct talks, Danny Citrinowicz from INSS writes that while military action can buy time, it cannot substitute for a broader strategy. Any sustainable approach to the Iranian nuclear challenge will require a combination of deterrence, diplomacy, intelligence, and clear political objectives regarding the desired end.

4 February 2026 | Danny Citrinowicz
IranIranMultilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-ProliferationIranIsraelJCPOAMiddle EastNuclear WeaponsUnited States
Commentary

Why states should remain in the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention: humanitarian and security imperatives

On Saturday, 10 January, Finland’s withdrawal from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention or ‘Ottawa Treaty’, will come into effect. This follows the earlier withdrawals of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. Gary Toombs writes that while landmines may seem appealing as cheap, simple tools of defence, in reality, they are militarily outdated, strategically counterproductive, and devastating in humanitarian, economic, and environmental terms. States on the path to leaving the treaty should reconsider, as withdrawal would not strengthen their security but would undermine international law, erode alliances, and cause generational harm.

8 January 2026 | Gary Toombs
EDTsMultilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-ProliferationArms ControlBalticsConventional Arms ControlDefenceEmerging technologiesGovernanceInternational LawSecurity
Policy brief

Gender backlash in disarmament and arms control: Safeguarding progress amid rising resistance

Gender perspectives are integral to credible, effective, and inclusive disarmament and arms control. This policy brief by ELN Policy Fellow Jana Baldus examines the gender backlash in multilateral disarmament and arms control, and its implications. It suggests two approaches to preserve progress on gender equality and intersectional gender perspectives and calls on states, international organisations, and civil society to act collectively to defend and further advance gender perspectives.

10 December 2025 | Jana Baldus
Multilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-ProliferationArms ControlGenderNuclear Arms Control