May 2011

In this issue:

• The global security governance system—meeting tomorrow’s challenges with yesterday’s tools
  (essay)
• SIPRI news
• SIPRI events and activities
• SIPRI in the media
• SIPRI vacancies and staff news
• Recent publications

The global security governance system—meeting tomorrow’s challenges with yesterday’s tools

Bates Gill

Special issue of the Mercury Project newsletter

SIPRI has published a special issue of the MERCURY Project newsletter reporting on the recent MERCURY plenary conference on the EU in the World: Conflict Resolution, Development, and Cooperation, which took place at Charles University, Prague, on 24-25 March.The special issue is available here. The next regular issue of the MERCURY newsletter will be available in June 2011.

Save the dates!

•   7 June: Launch of the SIPRI Yearbook—cutting-edge information and analysis on developments in armaments, disarmament and international security, featuring a lead essay on corruption in the international arms trade by Andrew Feinstein.
•  15 June: Yearbook launch seminar in Stockholm, see below and more here.
  Contact SIPRI Communications Director Stephanie Blenckner for more information.

Upcoming SIPRI events and activities

29 June Brussels		SIPRI Yearbook 2011 presented in Brussels SIPRI will present key findings of the new SIPRI Yearbook at a lunch session during a NATO conference on Shaping NATO’s Reform Agenda. The conference is organized by the Security and Defence Agenda (SDA) and will take place at the Cercle Gaulois. Read more about the event here and contact Pauline Massart at SDA for futher information.
15 June Stockholm		Launch seminar for SIPRI Yearbook 2011 SIPRI will hold a seminar to celebrate the launch of SIPRI Yearbook 2011, a week after the official media launch. SIPRI experts will present key issues from the Yearbook: linkages between natural resources and conflict, the non-proliferation challenge, ineffective arms embargoes and more. Everyone is welcome. Seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Read more here and contact SIPRI Communications Director Stephanie Blenckner to register for the event.
Recent SIPRI events and activities
24 May Washington, DC		Working dinner on Security Challenges to the Transatlantic Partnership SIPRI, in cooperation with the Atlantic Council of the United States (ACUS) and the US National Intelligence Council (NIC), organized a working dinner addressing the theme Security Challenges to the Transatlantic Partnership: Looking Out to 2030. The dinner was hosted by the Swedish Embassy in Washington, DC, and followed the conference Global Trends 2030 held at the Airlie Center in Warrenton, VA, 22–24 May.
19-20 May Seoul		Conference on Foreign Policy Decision Making in China SIPRI Senior Researcher Bernt Berger of the China and Global Security Programme participated in an expert conference entitled China’s Foreign Policy: Who Makes It, and How Is It Made? organized by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. The conference brought together renowned scholars from China, Europe, South Korea and the USA and focused on a wide range of actors and issues including the People’s Liberation Army; the fifth generation of Chinese leaders; the Party; the role of non-governmental organizations, universities and think tanks; financial policy; mulitlateral diplomacy; and China’s Korea policy. Bernt Berger presented on decision making structures in Chinese counterterrorism efforts. Contact Bernt Berger for more information.
18 May Stockholm		Australian Foreign Minister addresses SIPRI event Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd delivered the keynote address at a briefing on the Global Implications of the Asia-Pacific Century, which was co-hosted by SIPRI and International IDEA on the occasion of his visit. Download Mr Rudd’s address here.				Minister Kevin Rudd (right) and SIPRI Chariman Göran Lennamrker (left)
18 May Beijing		Presentation of the Chinese translation of SIPRI Yearbook 2010 The Chinese version of SIPRI Yearbook 2010 was launched in Beijing at an event organized by the Chinese Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA). SIPRI Senior Researcher Dr Bernt Berger of the China and Global Security Programme presented the Yearbook and spoke on China’s role in international security. The translation was funded by a grant from the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport. Read a report on the event here (in Chinese) and contact Bernt Berger for more information.				Bernt Berger (left) at the panel
17 May Montreal		Conference on Border Security SIPRI Visiting Research Fellow Vincent Boulanin participated in a conference entitled Fences, Walls and Borders: State of Insecurity? He gave a presentation on the EU’s border security policy. Read more about the conference here and contact Vincent Boulanin for further information.
13-14 May Oslo		The European Security System Revisited project workshop Dr Gunilla Herolf, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Euro-Atlantic Security Programme, gave a presentation on flexible cooperation between nation states, in a workshop organized by the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research. The workshop, which dealt with the future of the European security system, was the first stage of a book project on this theme. Read more about the European Security System Revisited project here.
10 May Brussels		SANDERA Conference SIPRI Senior Researcher John Hart, Head of the SIPRI Chemical and Biological Security Project, participated in a conference on the future impact of security and defence policies in the European Research Area at the European Commission. This was the final conference under the Security and Defence in the European Research Area (SANDERA) project. He commented on the final draft report of the conference committee. Read more about SANDERA here.
9-10 May Brussels		Worskhop on the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Future of Nuclear Trade SIPRI Senior Researcher Aaron Dunne of the SIPRI Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation Programme gave a presentation at a workshop organized by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The workshop brought together nuclear trade experts, nuclear industry firms, officials and other stakeholders who discussed critical issues facing the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the future of nuclear trade. His presentation focused on the future of NSG guideline enforcement and led on to a discussion of how to enforce the guidelines more effectively. Contact Aaron Dunne for more information.
6 May Geneva		Seminar on Perspectives and Implementation Issues for an Arms Trade Treaty SIPRI Senior Researcher Dr Paul Holtom, Director of the Arms Transfers Programme, participated in a seminar on the Arms Trade Treaty focusing on issues related to national and international implementation. The meeting was organized by the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS) and the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). Listen to his presentation on the topic ‘Compliance: transparency, reporting and consultation’ and read more about the seminar here. For more information contact Paul Holtom.
4 May Rome		Discussions on EthicalCargo project collaboration with the World Food Programme SIPRI Senior Researcher Hugh Griffiths, Head of the Countering Illicit Trafficking–Mechanism Assessment Projects (CIT-MAP) visited the UN World Food Programme (WFP) headquarters to discuss future collaboration between SIPRI's EthicalCargo project and the WFP on organizing events and training relating to ethical procurement and conflict-sensitive logistics. Contact Hugh Griffiths for further information.
Apr.-May Europe		SIPRI supports EU export controls cooperation in South East Europe SIPRI Researcher Ivana Mićić chaired and provided expertise on technical and legal issues related to strategic export controls at a series of meetings held in Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Serbia and Germany (with Montenegro). The meetings were intended to help enhance national export controls. They were organized in the framework of the EU programme EU Cooperation in Export Control of Dual-use Goods, which is implemented by the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA). She also supported and chaired a session on transparency during a meeting of the EU Council Working Group on Conventional Arms Exports (COARM) for outreach to South East Europe. The meeting took place in Podgorica, Montenegro, and was organized in the framework of EU Council Decision 2009/1012/CFSP on support for EU activities in order to promote the control of arms exports among third countries. Read more about the EU cooperation programme here and contact Ivana Mićić for more information.
28-29 Apr. Bangkok		Seminar on the Key Elements of an Export Control System SIPRI Senior Researcher Sibylle Bauer, Head of the Export Control Project, and Aaron Dunne, Senior Researcher within the SIPRI Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation Programme, presented at a seminar on the key elements of an export control system held in the context of the EU programme Cooperation in Export Control. Sibylle Bauer co-chaired the seminar and spoke about the purpose of export controls and about effective penalties for control violations. Aaron Dunne spoke on the role of customs and other actors in export control enforcement. Contact Sibylle Bauer for more information.
28-29 Apr. San Diego, CA		Workshop on Defence Transparency in North East Asia SIPRI Senior Researcher Dr Sam Perlo-Freeman, Head of the SIPRI Military Expenditure Project, participated in a workshop on Defence Transparency in North East Asia at the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Co-operation (IGCC). The event brought together experts from China, Europe, Japan, South Korea and the USA to discuss and identify the nature, purpose and ways of measuring defence transparency, along with the perspectives of countries in the region. He gave a presentation on the key elements of transparency in military expenditure in relation to the situation in North East Asia. This workshop was part of the IGCC’s North East Asia Co-operation Dialogue. Contact Sam Perlo-Freeman for more information.
27-29 Apr. Montevideo		Seminar on Supporting the Arms Trade Treaty Negotiations SIPRI Senior Researcher Mark Bromley attended a regional seminar for countries of the Americas and the Caribbean organized by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) in cooperation with the EU and the Uruguayan Government. The seminar was one of a series aimed at supporting the preparatory process for the UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in 2012. Mark gave a presentation on arms brokering controls and a future ATT. Read more about the series of seminars here and contact Mark Bromley for more information.

SIPRI in the media

SIPRI Senior Researcher Pieter Wezeman made a video statement on arms transfers to Libya for the Dubai-based independent debate service Dubaidebates.com.

SIPRI Senior Researcher Bernt Berger and SIPRI Researcher Oliver Bräuner commented to the Deutsche Welle Chinese language service on the implications for Sino-US relations of the US visit of Chen Bingde, Chief of the General Staff of China’s People’s Liberation Army.

SIPRI Senior Reseacher Shannon Kile commented on relations between North and South Korea for Reuters, which was picked up by more than 700 outlets. He also addressed Iranian nuclear ambitions for the Daily Times (Pakistan).

SIPRI Senior Researcher Siemon Wezeman commented on the rivalries driving Indian weapon imports for Deutsche Welle (in German).

Last month’s SIPRI Update essay by SIPRI Senior Researcher Sam Perlo-Freeman on concerns about European military expenditure was picked up by defenceWeb.

The recent SIPRI Stockholm China Alliance seminar was covered by Xinhua news agency. Read the report in English or French.

Recent publications

		SIPRI Fact Sheet Reporting to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms Paul Holtom, Lucie Béraud-Sudreau and Henning Weber The key international mechanism for states to report on international arms transfers is the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms (UNROCA). UNROCA was established to build confidence and cooperation between states. The information provided by states to UNROCA is used in analyses of states’ intentions and capabilities and in bilateral or regional consultations to help avoid misinterpretations, miscalcu­lations and the exaggeration of threats that can influence arms races and armed conflicts. Download the Fact Sheet here.
		SIPRI Fact Sheet National reports on arms exports Henning Weber and Mark Bromley Since the early 1990s an increasing number of governments have chosen to publish national reports on their arms exports. These reports vary enormously in both the amount of information they contain and the level of detail they provide. This Fact Sheet compares the level of detail provided in national reports on arms exports produced worldwide. Download the Fact Sheet here.
		SIPRI Background Paper Arms transfers to Zimbabwe: implications for an arms trade treaty Lukas Jeuck Zimbabwe has suffered high levels of political violence since 2000. While some states, along with the European Union, have responded by imposing arms embargoes, others have expressed no concern about the situation. The most prominent supplier of arms to Zimbabwe has been China, which supplied more than one-third of the volume of Zimbabwe’s major weapons between 1980 and 2009. Russia has identified Zimbabwe as a potential market for its arms but has yet to make many deliveries. While the United Kingdom was a major supplier in the 1980s and 1990s, it has since stopped selling arms to Zimbabwe. Download the Background Paper here.
		SIPRI Fact Sheet Trends in international arms transfers, 2010 Paul Holtom, Lucie Béraud-Sudreau, 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 2010. 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 latest data. It lists the main suppliers and recipients for the period 2006–10 and describes the changes in regional trends. Download the Fact Sheet here.
		SIPRI Background Paper Ukrainian arms supplies to sub-Saharan Africa Paul Holtom Ukraine has consistently been among the 10 largest arms exporters in the world during the past two decades, and an estimated 18 per cent of Ukrainian arms exports during 2005–2009 were for recipients in sub-Saharan Africa. The arms supplied ranged from aircraft and tanks to small arms and ammunition. This Background Paper examines the supply of Ukrainian arms and related services to sub-Saharan African countries along with some of the controversy that has surrounded these activities. In particular, Ukraine has reportedly supplied arms to the governments of several countries engaged in armed conflicts, and there is also evidence that Ukrainian arms delivered to Kenya have been re-exported to Southern Sudan. The framework for Ukraine’s arms exports is also described. Download the Background Paper here.
		SIPRI Monograph Governing the Bomb: Civilian Control and Democratic Accountability of Nuclear Weapons edited by Hans Born, Bates Gill and Heiner Hänggi ISBN 978-0-19-958990-6 With a special emphasis on civilian control and democratic accountability, Governing the Bomb seeks to illuminate the structures and processes of nuclear weapon governance of eight nuclear-armed states: the USA, Russia, the UK, France and China as well as Israel, India and Pakistan. It examines the theoretical as well as practical functions and structures of those who possess the power to make nuclear decisions and those who have the practical means and physical opportunity to execute those decisions. Read more and order the book here.
		SIPRI Policy Paper no. 26 New Foreign Policy Actors in China Linda Jakobson and Dean Knox The dynamic transformation of Chinese society that has paralleled changes in the international environment has had a direct impact on both the making and the shaping of Chinese foreign policy. The international community needs to understand the complex nature of these changes in seeking China’s engagement and cooperation. Uniquely informed by the authors’ access to individuals across the full range of Chinese foreign policy actors, this SIPRI Policy Paper reveals a number of emergent trends, chief among them the changing face of China’s official decision-making apparatus and the direction that actors on the margins would like to see Chinese foreign policy take. Download the Policy Paper here.
		SIPRI Yearbook 2010: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security The 41st edition of the SIPRI Yearbook includes coverage of developments during 2009 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 here. To order a copy, click here.