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 |  | | |  | | SIPRI Update: Global Security & Arms Control |  | Issues, events and publications in conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament |  | | |
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March 2012 In this issue: - SIPRI essay
- SIPRI news
- SIPRI events and activities
- SIPRI in the media
- SIPRI staff news
- Recent publications
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| ESSAY |  | |
Using nuclear forensics to increase international nuclear security cooperation
Vitaly Fedchenko Nuclear forensic analysis (nuclear forensics) has gained prominence as a tool to detect, prevent and deter acts of nuclear terrorism and illicit trafficking of nuclear materials. Next week’s Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul will seek to improve international cooperation on nuclear security issues. However, the potential applications of nuclear forensics go beyond nuclear security and demonstrate that cooperation can be achieved in and between a number of international security frameworks.
Continue reading . . . | |
| NEWS | | |
SIPRI launches Central and Wider Asia projectSIPRI has launched an initiative on Afghanistan in connection with the anticipated departure of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) as well as wider regional issues. The Central and Wider Asia project aims to identify the conflict and security dynamics developing in and around Afghanistan and to promote international discussion on how best to address them. The project will commence with a series of dialogue meetings in Central Asia, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, China and India to explore perspectives on the shifting regional security environment and the challenges that this presents. Read more.
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| NEWS | | |
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Rise in international arms transfers is driven by Asian demand, says SIPRIThe volume of international arms transfers in 2007–2011 was 24 per cent higher than in 2002–2006 and the five largest arms importers in 2007–2011 were all Asian states, according to new data published this week by SIPRI. Read the press release in English, Swedish, French and Spanish. Alternatively, access the new data and download the factsheet. You can also find out more about the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme or contact Paul Holtom for further information.
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| NEWS | | |
Business as usual for top arms producers despite slowdown in arms sales, says SIPRI Sales of arms and military services by the largest arms-producing and military services companies—the SIPRI Top 100—continued to increase in 2010 to reach $411.1 billion, according to new data on international arms production released on 27 February by SIPRI. Read the press release in English, Swedish and French or access the Top 100 list.
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| NEWS | | |
Deputy Defence Minister of Taiwan visits SIPRI: watch short interview on SIPRI's YouTube channelOn the occasion of his visit to SIPRI on 15 March, Taiwan's Deputy Defence Minister, Andrew Yang, answered a few questions about the security situation in East Asia. Watch the video (4 min) or contact SIPRI Researcher Oliver Bräuner for further information.
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| NEWS | | |
Save these dates! - 17 April: Launch of SIPRI's world military expenditure data—comprehensive information on global, regional and national trends in military spending in 2011.
- 4 June: Launch of the SIPRI Yearbook—cutting-edge information and analysis on developments in armaments, disarmament and international security.
Contact SIPRI Communications Director Stephanie Blenckner for further information. | | | |
| EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES | | |
Upcoming SIPRI events and activities | | | 17 April
Washington, DC
| | SIPRI North America event on military expenditure data
SIPRI Senior Researcher Dr Sam Perlo-Freeman will give a presentation in conjunction with the SIPRI military expenditure data launch. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Perlo-Freeman, Gordon Adams of the Stimson Centre and other as-yet unconfirmed speakers. Contact Dr Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, Executive Director of SIPRI North America, for further details.
| | | | | | | | | | | | Recent SIPRI events and activities | | | | | 19-23 Mar.
New York
Washington, DC
Stockholm
| | Events held to coincide with SIPRI’s release of new data on international arms transfers
SIPRI released its new data on international arms transfers on 19 March. On 20 March, SIPRI Senior Researcher Dr Paul Holtom presented the new data in New York at a policy forum organized by SIPRI North America and the International Peace Institute. On 22 March, SIPRI invited the diplomatic community in Stockholm to an exclusive briefing on the new data. Finally, on 23 March Dr Holtom participated in a roundtable discussion organized by SIPRI North America in Washington DC exploring current trends in international arms transfers, the Arms Trade Treaty and the impact of weapons proliferation upon regional peace and stability. | | | | | | | 14 Mar.
SIPRI
Stockholm | | SIPRI expert presents at a seminar on Swedish arms export controls
SIPRI Senior Researcher Mark Bromley of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme spoke at a public seminar at the Swedish Parliament organized by the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society, the Swedish Green Party and the Swedish Liberal Party. During the seminar, entitled ‘Weapons cooperation with dictatorships: how can laws be tightened?’, Bromley gave a presentation on the different types of criteria that states use to assess their arms transfers. Read more about the seminar (in Swedish) or contact Mark Bromley for more information. | | | | | | | 12 Mar.
Oslo | | SIPRI Global Health and Security Programme researchers give presentation on health in fragile states
Dr Peter Clevestig, Rachel Irwin and Caroline Säfström of the SIPRI Global Health and Security Programme presented research on health in fragile states at a seminar hosted by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), one of the supporters of the programme’s work. The seminar brought together policymakers, NGOs and individuals from the Norwegian research community. More information on the seminar can be found online. Alternatively, contact Rachel Irwin for further information.
| | | | | | | 8 Mar.
New York | | SIPRI North America’s Executive Director moderates a session on sexual violence in the context of war
On the occasion of International Women's Day on 8 March, SIPRI North America organized a panel discussion entitled Women, War and Peace: Addressing Sexual Violence. SIPRI North America Executive Director Dr Chantal de Jonge Oudraat and Kerry Crawford, a PhD Candidate at GW Elliott School of International Affairs, moderated the discussion that featured Dr Jelke Boesten, Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow at USIP and Lecturer at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom; Dr Kathleen Kuehnast, Director of the Centre for Gender and Peacebuilding at USIP; and Dr Dara Cohen of the University of Minnesota. The panel was part of a day-long event at the George Washington University Elliott School and was co-sponsored by the Global Gender Program and the Security Policy Forum both at the GW Elliott School of International Affairs, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, and SIPRI North America. For more information see the SIPRI North America website where a video of the event will shortly be posted, and the event page at the Elliott School.
| Dr Chantal de Jonge Oudraat (left) and Dr Kathleen Kuehnast on International Women's Day. Photo: Oxana Minchenko, Elliot School | | | | | 7 Mar.
Frankfurt | | SIPRI expert participates in Proliferation Security Initiative outreach seminar
SIPRI Senior Researcher Aaron Dunne of the SIPRI Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation Programme gave a presentation on interdiction scenarios at a Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) outreach seminar organized by the German Federal Foreign Office. The PSI counters the transfer of weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related materials, to or from state and non-state actors of proliferation concern. The seminar brought together a number of states that have not yet joined the PSI (by endorsing the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles) to explore the PSI’s legal framework, objectives and operational activities. Read more about the seminar or contact Aaron Dunne for more information.
| | | | | 1-2 Mar.
Kiev
| | SIPRI organizes an expert seminar on arms trafficking via air
SIPRI’s Countering Illicit Trafficking–Mechanism Assessment Projects (CIT–MAP) organized a two-day expert seminar entitled Combating Destabilizing Arms Transfers Via Air. The seminar brought together current and former members of UN groups and panels of experts, a variety of UN agencies, representatives from Interpol, the African Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Also among the 76 delegates from 30 different countries were international and national disarmament, customs, intelligence, defence attaches and civil aviation authorities. The presentations and briefings focused on small arms and light weapons (SALW) and ammunition flows; other conflict-sensitive commodity flows associated with SALW; and transportation methods to, from or within Africa, Eastern Europe, North East Asia and the Middle East. A copy of the final agenda is available online. The expert seminar was part of a series of events being organized by SIPRI within the context of a European Union (EU) Council Decision relating to arms trafficking via air. Contact Hugh Griffiths for more information.
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Nairobi | | Seminar on supporting the arms trade treaty negotiations
SIPRI Senior Researcher Dr Paul Holtom, Director of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme, participated in a regional seminar for countries in Eastern and Southern Africa organized by the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) in cooperation with the EU and the Kenyan Government. The seminar was part of a series of events aimed at supporting the preparatory process leading up to the UN conference on an arms trade treaty (ATT) in 2012. Dr Holtom gave a presentation on controlling arms transfers to non-state actors and a future ATT. Read more about the seminar series and SIPRI's work on an ATT, or contact Paul Holtom for more information.
| | | | | | | | 28 Feb.-1 Mar. Brussels | | SIPRI presents at the Summit of Honor on Atoms for Peace and Environment
SIPRI Senior Researcher Dr Ian Anthony, Director of the SIPRI Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation Programme, participated in the second Summit of Honor on Atoms for Peace and Environment (SHAPE). The summit, organized jointly by the Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Economic Development and the Belgian Centre d'Étude de l'Énergie Nucléaire, aimed to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy while strengthening multilateral agreements to prevent its misuse. The theme of the summit was ‘A Nuclear Weapon Free World’ and Anthony presented a paper on the role of international systemic factors in decisions by states not to pursue a nuclear weapon program. Contact Ian Anthony for further information. | | | | | | | | 23-24 Feb. Accra | | SIPRI Senior Researcher participates in a meeting of the Africa Security and Governance project
SIPRI Senior Researcher Olawale Ismail participated in a meeting of the SIPRI-OSI Africa Security and Governance (ASG) project, hosted by the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). The meeting brought together African civil society organizations (CSOs) from the ongoing ASG project with a broader group of CSOs from across Africa to develop a Pan-African Network for CSOs working on security sector issues. Wale briefed the meeting about the history of the proposal to develop the network and the purpose of the current meeting, thereby marking the transition from a SIPRI-managed project to a network project to be developed and managed by African CSOs. The main outcome of the meeting was the formation of a steering committee of selected CSOs, with WACSI being elected as the interim secretariat for the network. The steering committee will undertake a number of tasks, including developing a contact list, setting up an online networking forum, formulating a draft constitution and developing a project proposal for the network. For more information, contact Charles Vandyck or Nana Afadzinu at WACSI or Olawale Ismail or Elisabeth Sköns at SIPRI. | | | | | | | | 23-24 Feb. Münster | | SIPRI experts present at the 2012 Germany Export Control Conference
SIPRI Chairman Göran Lennmarker and SIPRI Senior Researcher Dr Sibylle Bauer of the SIPRI Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation Programme participated in a policy forum panel at the 2012 Germany Export Control Conference (Exportkontrolltag 2012). Held in Münster, this annual conference brings together between 300 and 400 representatives from the German export control community. Lennmarker gave a presentation entitled ‘Transparency of Export Control: The Swedish Experience’, while Dr Bauer’s presentation focused on a proposed comparative analysis of the role of parliament in export control. For further information contact Sibylle Bauer.
| | | | | | | | 20-24 Feb. Bangkok | | SIPRI expert facilitates EU–Thai cooperation activities in dual-use export controls
SIPRI Senior Researcher Aaron Dunne of the SIPRI Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation Programme led an EU expert delegation visit to Royal Thai Customs (RTC) as part of the EU Project: Cooperation in Dual-Use Export Controls. The visit explored RTC’s plans to establishing a strategic trade control centre of expertise. Contact Aaron Dunne for more information.
| | | | | | | 16 Feb.
New York
| | SIPRI expert participates in an event on problems of secrecy, waste and corruption in arms procurement processes
SIPRI Senior Researcher Dr Sam Perlo-Freeman, head of the SIPRI Military Expenditure project, participated in an event organized by Oxfam and Transparency International. Hosted by the Norwegian Government, and with 50 members of the diplomatic and the NGO community in attendance, the event focused on problems of secrecy, waste and corruption in arms procurement processes. Perlo-Freeman presented on problems in military procurement processes. Contact him directly for more information.
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| MEDIA | | |
SIPRI in the media Two SIPRI data launches in the past month garnered a great deal of media attention. The launch of the SIPRI Top 100 arms-producing and military services companies in late February was widely quoted in the media with more than 950 articles worldwide. This week’s launch of the new SIPRI data on international arms transfers has already generated more than 2800 articles. Contact SIPRI Communications Director Stephanie Blenckner for complete reports.
SIPRI Director Bates Gill and SIPRI arms transfers expert Mark Bromley were quoted in an opinion piece on Europe's arms deals in the New York Times on 6 March.
SIPRI Senior Researcher Hugh Griffiths was interviewed for German ARD TV's investigative documentary programme Plusminus on 14 March. The programme focused on maritime trafficking and container shipping vulnerabilities to arms, drugs and counterfeit goods smuggling. Griffiths also commented on arms transfers and patterns of recent shipping to Syria for the BBC World Service and was cited twice in Le Monde on arms trafficking via sea. Finally, on 15 March he contributed an op-ed for the e-journal Atlantico on the SIPRI report Maritime Transport and Destabilizing Commodity Flows.
SIPRI Senior Researcher Shannon Kile was quoted in a Reuters article on IAEA inspections in North Korea published on 1 March.
SIPRI Senior Researcher and Head of the SIPRI Arms Production project Susan Jackson contributed an article to Public Service Europe entitled ‘Arms sales increase despite economic crisis’.
SIPRI Senior Researcher and Head of the SIPRI Chemical and Biological Security project John Hart talked to IPS about Syria's chemical weapons.
SIPRI Senior Researcher Dr Paul Holtom of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme commented on China's plan to acquire Russian aircraft in a Wirtschaftsblatt article (in German).
SIPRI Senior Researchers Mark Bromley and Pieter Wezeman were widely quoted in the Swedish media in the context of Swedish plans to build a weapons factory in Saudi Arabia. Notable contributions included a debate article in Svenska Dagbladet and commentary on a number of Swedish TV morning and evening programmes, including Gomorron Sverige (in Swedish).
SIPRI Researcher Oliver Bräuner was quoted in an article in Deutsche Welle (in Chinese) on the impact of China's rising defence spending in a broader regional security context. He also wrote an article on EU arms sales to Taiwan for The Diplomat.
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| SIPRI STAFF NEWS | | |
No current staff news or vacancies
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| PUBLICATIONS | | |
Recent publications  | | SIPRI Fact Sheet
Trends in international arms transfers, 2011
Paul Holtom, Mark Bromley, Pieter D. Wezeman and Siemon T. Wezeman
The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database now contains information on all international transfers of major conventional weapons from 1950 to the end of 2011. It is the only publicly available resource providing consistent data on international arms transfers for this length of time. This Fact Sheet describes the trends in international arms transfers that are revealed by the new data. It lists the main suppliers and recipients for the period 2007–11 and describes the changes in regional trends. Download the Fact Sheet.
| | | | |  | | SIPRI Background Paper
Military capabilities in the Arctic
Siemon T. Wezeman
Climate change is making the Arctic region—and its expected natural resources—more accessible. Overlapping claims by the five Arctic littoral states—Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the United States—have led to fears of future conflict in the region. In recent years all five countries have included increased protection of Arctic territories and claims in their defence policies. All five have also started to increase their military presences and capabilities in the Arctic region by acquiring Arctic-specific equipment, improving military infrastructure or increasing military forces. Download the Background Paper.
| | | | |  | | SIPRI Policy Paper
Maritime Transport and Destabilizing Commodity Flows
Hugh Griffiths and Michael Jenks
Maritime transport flows are the lifeblood of global trade. They are also the dominant means of transporting a range of potentially destabilizing commodities that threaten states and societies throughout the developing and developed worlds. This SIPRI Policy Paper aims to fill an important knowledge gap by—for the first time in a public document—providing a comprehensive mapping and analysis of the ships involved in the clandestine transport of narcotics, arms and dual-use goods essential to the development of weapons of mass destruction. It also offers practical solutions to one of the most important global security challenges for policymakers, civil society and industry in the 21st century. Download the Policy Paper.
| | | | |  | | SIPRI Policy Paper
Transparency in Military Spending and Arms Acquisitions in Latin America and the Caribbean
Mark Bromley and Carina Solmirano
Military spending has risen considerably in Latin America and the Caribbean in recent years and several states in the region are engaged in major arms acquisition programmes. Despite generally positive interstate relations, fears have been expressed about the impact of these developments on regional stability and poverty-reduction efforts. Allaying such fears requires high levels of transparency in military spending and arms acquisitions in order to build confidence among states and permit informed public debates on the appropriate allocation of national resources. Download the Policy Paper.
| | | | |  | | SIPRI Insights on Peace and Security
Budgetary priorities in Latin America: military, health and education spending
Sam Perlo-Freeman
Military expenditure in Latin America has been increasing rapidly in recent years. In a region still plagued by poverty and inequality, with almost no threat of interstate conflict, some have questioned whether Latin American governments' budgetary priorities reflect their countries' real needs⎯and whether a trade-off is being made between military spending and social spending that could promote development and poverty reduction. Download the Insights Paper. | | | | |  | | SIPRI Fact Sheet
Chronology of armaments, disarmament and international security 2011
Nenne Bodell
This chronology lists the significant events in 2011 related to armaments, disarmament and international security. In addition to the headline-grabbing events, it also records the less publicized, but no less important, advances and setbacks. Download the Fact Sheet.
| | | | |  | | SIPRI map of multilateral peace operation deployments, September 2011
This SIPRI map presents a snapshot of multilateral peace operation deployments worldwide using the latest data available. The map shows where missions are taking place, when they started, how large they are and which organizations and coalitions are conducting them. Comprehensive data on multilateral peace operations is available in the SIPRI Multilateral Peace Operations Database, including fatalities, costs, mission mandates, national personnel contributions and lead nations. Download the map.
| | | | |  | | SIPRI Policy Paper
Arms Flows to Sub-Saharan Africa
Pieter D. Wezeman, Siemon T. Wezeman and Lucie Béraud-Sudreau
Concerns regarding arms transfers to sub-Saharan Africa are widespread and have motivated worldwide efforts to control arms flows. Although the volumes of arms transferred to the region are low by global standards, even supplies of relatively small quantities of older weapons can have a notable impact on conflicts. This detailed report provides a tour d'horizon of recent developments in arms transfers to both governments and rebel groups in sub-Saharan Africa. Download the Policy Paper. | | | | |  | | SIPRI new edition
Towards a Regional Security Regime for the Middle East: Issues and Options
Report of the SIPRI Middle East Expert Group with a new afterword by Peter Jones
Of all the world’s major regions only the Middle East lacks an inclusive system for dialogue and cooperation over security issues. Originally published in 1998, the report of the SIPRI Expert Group remains a landmark study by a distinguished group of regional experts on how such a system could be created in the Middle East. Download the report. | | | | |  | | SIPRI Policy Paper
China's Energy and Security Relations with Russia: Hopes, Frustrations and Uncertainties
Linda Jakobson, Paul Holtom, Dean Knox and Jingchao Peng
The leaders of China and Russia like to speak in public of the strategic partnership between the two countries, based on mutual interests and trust. In reality, the two cornerstones of the relationship—arms sales and energy cooperation—are crumbling. China has not placed a significant order for Russian arms since 2005 and buys only a fraction of its energy imports from Russia. Download the Policy Paper. | | | | |  | | SIPRI Yearbook 2011: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security
The 42nd edition of the SIPRI Yearbook includes coverage of developments during 2010 in major armed conflicts, multilateral peace operations, military expenditure, arms production, international arms transfers, world nuclear forces and fissile material stocks, nuclear arms control and non-proliferation, reduction of security threats from chemical and biological materials, conventional arms control, controls on security-related international transfers and multilateral arms embargoes. Read more or order a copy. | | | | | | | | Other publications
Dunne, A., ‘Strategic trade controls in the United Arab Emirates: key considerations for the European Union’, EU Non-Proliferation Consortium, Non-proliferation Papers No. 12 (Mar 2012).
Melvin, N., ‘The transformation of conflict in the twenty first century?’; Wiharta, S., ‘A changing world order: what implications for the future of peace operations?’; Bergh, K., ‘Struggle for Arctic resources – geopolitical reality or hype?’; and Fanchini, C., ‘Emerging resource conflicts challenge international security in the 21st century’, Les Grands Dossiers de Diplomatie, no. 7 (Feb.–Mar., 2012).
Irwin, R. and Kanth, P., ‘WHO reforms discussed at special session of Executive Board’, Health Diplomacy Monitor, vol. 2, no. 6 (2011).
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© SIPRI 2012. ISSN 1654-8264. Contact SIPRI by email: sipri@sipri.org; telephone: +46 8/655 97 00; fax: +46 8/655 97 33;
or post: SIPRI, Signalistgatan 9, SE-169 70 Solna, Sweden, or visit us online at www.sipri.org
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