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The Northern Sea Route

Stimson’s East Asia Program is proud to announce the publication of Yun Sun’s second monograph on China and the Arctic, The Northern Sea Route: The Myth of Sino-Russian Cooperation. Since 2017, a series of events have raised optimism about the potential for Sino-Russian cooperation in the Arctic region, including unilateral and bilateral statements between Beijing and Moscow about their shared vision for and commitment to joint development... Read more

ATT Reaches Milestone 100 States Parties

Five years ago, governments from around the world adopted the first legally-binding treaty to regulate the international transfer of conventional weapons in order to bring greater transparency and responsibility to the global arms trade. This week, the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) has reached an important milestone, with 100 States Parties joining the effort to stop the unregulated and irresponsible trade in conventional arms. As we celebrate this... Read more

Better Than a Floppy: The Potential of Distributed Ledger Technology for Nuclear Safeguards Information

Blockchain is transitioning away from the hype and gaining legitimacy as the next-wave technological solution to distribute data and build a network of trust among parties. Distributed ledger technology (DLT), which underpins cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, is a combination of already-existing technologies (such as cryptography) to securely manage and easily audit large volumes of data across a network. The International Atomic Energy Agency (...Blockchain is transitioning away from the hype and gaining legitimacy as the next-wave technological solution to distribute data and build a network of trust among parties. Distributed ledger technology (DLT), which underpins cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, is a combination of already-existing technologies (such as cryptography) to securely manage and easily audit large volumes of data across a network. The International Atomic Energy Agency (... Read more

Ambassador Robert Gallucci Elected to Stimson Center Board of Directors

Photo by Tim Klein Read more

Protecting People and Saving Lives

2017 Annual Report

Dear Friend, There is a plaque in my office at The Stimson Center commemorating one of our namesake’s best known quotes—that the only deadly sin is cynicism. At a time when it has become all too easy to be cynical, our commitment to providing nonpartisan research and practical solutions to problems facing communities and countries around the globe is steadfast. In the face of increasing political polarization, humanitarian crises, and... Read more

Upcoming Events

January 17, 2019

India and Nuclear Asia: Forces, Doctrine, and Danger

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Recent Events

December 17, 2018

Going Global on Chemical Safety and Security

December 12, 2018

Our Uncertain Nuclear Future: How Do We Proceed if Treaties are Trashed?

December 12, 2018

Can International Organizations Promote Democracy?

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Solutions start with you. Thank you for partnering with us to build a more peaceful and prosperous world.

August 23, 2018 | EXPERT: Rachel Stohl , EXPERT: Shannon Dick

The Arms Trade Treaty and Drones

July 30, 2018 | EXPERT: Cindy Vestergaard

Capturing the Starting Point

May 16, 2018

Counterterrorism Spending: Protecting America while Promoting Efficiencies and Accountability

April 3, 2018

Insurance and Responsible Behavior in Space Event Report

March 16, 2018 | EXPERT: Yuki Tatsumi

Balancing Between Nuclear Deterrence and Disarmament: Views from the Next Generation

March 13, 2018 | EXPERT: Aditi Gorur

U.N. Peacekeeping & Host-State Consent

March 1, 2018 | EXPERT: Johanna Mendelson Forman

In Defense of Food Security Roundtable Reports

February 5, 2018 | EXPERT: Amanda Shaver , EXPERT: Brian Eyler , EXPERT: Sally Yozell

U.S.-ASEAN Conference on Marine Environmental Issues

February 5, 2018

Leveraging Geographic Information to Combat Wildlife Trafficking Workshop Summary

February 1, 2018 | EXPERT: Amanda Shaver , EXPERT: Sally Yozell

Casting a Wider Net: The Security Implications of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing

January 30, 2018 | EXPERT: Sally Yozell

Civil-Military Cooperation to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing: A Summary of the September 2017 National Maritime Interagency Advisory Group Meeting

January 17, 2018 | EXPERT: Jacqueline Kempfer , EXPERT: Kathryn Rauhut , EXPERT: Lovely Umayam

Lifting The Lid on Nuclear Liability: The Perspectives from the Judicial Bench

January 11, 2018 | EXPERT: Hannah Haegeland , EXPERT: Michael Krepon , EXPERT: Sameer Lalwani , EXPERT: Yun Sun

Investigating Crises: South Asia's Lessons, Evolving Dynamics, and Trajectories

January 10, 2018 | EXPERT: Rachel Stohl

With Great Power: Modifying US Arms Sales to Reduce Civilian Harm

November 7, 2017 | EXPERT: Debra Decker , EXPERT: Jacqueline Kempfer , EXPERT: Kathryn Rauhut , EXPERT: Lovely Umayam

Re-Energizing Nuclear Security

October 31, 2017 | EXPERT: Rachel Stohl

Reviewing 2017 ATT Annual Reports on Arms Exports and Imports: Fulfilling the Promise of the ATT?

September 25, 2017 | EXPERT: Agnieszka Paczynska

Emerging and Traditional Donors and Conflict-Affected States: The New Politics of Reconstruction

September 13, 2017 | EXPERT: Rachel Stohl

Synergies Between the Arms Trade Treaty and UNSCR 1540

September 11, 2017 | EXPERT: Alan D. Romberg

Cross-Strait Relations: Skepticism Abounds

August 30, 2017 | EXPERT: Haidi Scarlet Willmot

Improving UN Situational Awareness

August 8, 2017 | EXPERT: Richard Ponzio , EXPERT: Robert J. Berg

Engaging the New Majority: US Perspectives and Experience

July 25, 2017 | EXPERT: Brian Eyler , EXPERT: Courtney Weatherby

Letters from the Mekong: Mekong Power Shift - Emerging Trends in the GMS Power Sector

July 14, 2017 | EXPERT: Alex Bollfrass , EXPERT: Pamela Kennedy , EXPERT: Yuki Tatsumi

Lost in Translation? U.S. Defense Innovation and Northeast Asia

May 31, 2017 | EXPERT: Rachel Stohl

Assessing ATT Implementation In The Asia Pacific Region

May 23, 2017 | EXPERT: Laicie Heeley

Overseas Contingency Operations: The Pentagon's $80 Billion Loophole

April 24, 2017 | EXPERT: Kathryn Rauhut , EXPERT: Lovely Umayam

Demonstrating Due Care: Cyber Liability Considerations for Nuclear Facilities

April 3, 2017

Nontraditional Actors: China and Russia in African Peace Operations

March 8, 2017 | EXPERT: Johan Bergenas

Project Ngulia: A National Security Think Tank's Unlikely Journey

February 15, 2017 | EXPERT: Laicie Heeley

Military Spending for A New Strategic Reality

January 31, 2017 | EXPERT: Aditi Gorur , EXPERT: Madeline Vellturo

Local Conflict, Local Peacekeeping

December 14, 2016 | EXPERT: Aditi Gorur

Defining the Boundaries of UN Stabilization Missions

October 25, 2016 | EXPERT: Shane Mason

Military Budgets in India and Pakistan: Trajectories, Priorities, and Risks

October 12, 2016 | EXPERT: Brian Eyler , EXPERT: Courtney Weatherby , EXPERT: Richard Cronin

Letters from the Mekong: A Call for Strategic Basin-Wide Energy Planning in Laos

September 30, 2016

Countering WMD Proliferation: The Next Generation's Ideas

August 26, 2016 | EXPERT: Alan D. Romberg

The First 100 Days: Crossing the River While Feeling the Stones

August 14, 2016 | EXPERT: Barry Blechman , EXPERT: Laicie Heeley

B61 Life Extension Program: Costs and Policy Considerations

June 22, 2016 | EXPERT: Alan D. Romberg

Tsai Ing-wen Takes Office: A New Era in Cross-Strait Relations

June 12, 2016 | EXPERT: Yun Sun

Chinese Perspectives Towards the Korean Peninsula

June 7, 2016 | EXPERT: Ariella Knight , EXPERT: Johan Bergenas

Secure Oceans: Collaborative Policy and Technology Recommendations for the World’s Largest Crime Scene

June 6, 2016 | EXPERT: Agnieszka Paczynska

Liberia rising? Foreign direct investments, persistent inequalities and political tensions

May 24, 2016 | EXPERT: Laicie Heeley

Defense Divided: Overcoming the Challenges of Overseas Contingency Operations

May 16, 2016 | EXPERT: Michael Krepon , EXPERT: Shane Mason , EXPERT: Travis Wheeler

The Lure and Pitfalls of MIRVs: From the First to the Second Nuclear Age

April 20, 2016 | EXPERT: Brian Finlay

Public Threats, Private Solutions

April 6, 2016 | EXPERT: Johanna Mendelson Forman

Kitchen as the New Venue of Foreign Policy

March 23, 2016 | EXPERT: Nate Olson

Trade Network Transparency

February 23, 2016 | EXPERT: Rachel Stohl

Grading Progress on US Drone Policy

February 17, 2016 | EXPERT: Alan D. Romberg

The “1992 Consensus”—Adapting to the Future?

February 9, 2016 | EXPERT: Aditi Gorur , EXPERT: Lisa Sharland

Prioritizing the Protection of Civilians in UN Peace Operations

January 28, 2016 | EXPERT: Yuki Tatsumi

Japan As A “Peace Enabler”: Views From The Next Generation

January 28, 2016 | EXPERT: Debra Decker , EXPERT: Kathryn Rauhut

Nuclear Energy: Securing The Future - A Case For Voluntary Consensus Standards

December 15, 2015 | EXPERT: Alex Bollfrass , EXPERT: Barry Blechman , EXPERT: Laicie Heeley

Reducing The Risk Of Nuclear War In The Nordic/Baltic Region

December 14, 2015 | EXPERT: Aditi Gorur

Revising The UN Peacekeeping Mandate In South Sudan

October 9, 2015 | EXPERT: Courtney Weatherby , EXPERT: Richard Cronin

Letters from the Mekong: Time for a New Narrative on Mekong Hydropower

September 28, 2015 | EXPERT: Sofia Sebastian

The Role Of Police In UN Peace Operations

September 21, 2015 | EXPERT: Jenna Stern

Establishing Safety and Security at Protection of Civilians Sites

September 18, 2015 | EXPERT: Alan D. Romberg

Taiwan And Cross-Strait Relations: Consolidating Positions

August 27, 2015 | EXPERT: Paul Holtom , EXPERT: Rachel Stohl

Arms Trade Treaty-Baseline Assessment Project Launches Two New Reports

August 27, 2015 | EXPERT: Michael Krepon

A Normal Nuclear Pakistan

July 6, 2015 | EXPERT: Rachel Stohl

A Transatlantic Drones Dialogue: Towards International Standards

June 25, 2015 | EXPERT: Matthew Leatherman

The Army Goes To School: Connection Between K-12 Education Standards And The Military-Base Economy

June 18, 2015 | EXPERT: Alan D. Romberg

Squaring The Circle: Adhering To Principle, Embracing Ambiguity

June 16, 2015 | EXPERT: Richard Ponzio , EXPERT: William Durch

Report of the Commission on Global Security, Justice & Governance

May 14, 2015 | EXPERT: Barry Blechman

Protecting US Security by Minimizing the Role of Nuclear Weapons: A New US Nuclear Policy

April 29, 2015 | STAFF: Julia Thompson , EXPERT: Joshua T. White , EXPERT: Michael Krepon , EXPERT: Shane Mason

Deterrence Instability & Nuclear Weapons in South Asia

April 16, 2015 | EXPERT: Hana Rudolph , EXPERT: Yuki Tatsumi

US-Japan-Australia Security Cooperation: Prospects and Challenges

April 7, 2015 | EXPERT: David Michel

Bridging The Divide: Transboundary Science & Policy Interaction In The Indus Basin

March 25, 2015 | EXPERT: David Michel

Sea Change: Evolving Maritime Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific Region

March 20, 2015 | EXPERT: Alan D. Romberg

The Times They Are A-Changin’

March 10, 2015

Pakistan’s Tactical Nuclear Weapons: Operational Myths And Realities

March 10, 2015 | EXPERT: Hana Rudolph , EXPERT: Yuki Tatsumi

Japan's Global Diplomacy

March 3, 2015 | EXPERT: Ellen Laipson

Revisiting Marshall: Private Sector Development in the Middle East

February 12, 2015 | EXPERT: Jenna Stern

Reducing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in UN Peacekeeping: Ten Years After the Zeid Report

February 5, 2015 | EXPERT: Courtney Weatherby , EXPERT: Richard Cronin

Letters from the Mekong: Site Visit to Laos' First Two Mainstream Dam Projects

January 29, 2015

Pakistan, India, and China after the U.S. Drawdown from Afghanistan: A Visiting Fellow Report

January 26, 2015 | EXPERT: Aditi Gorur , STAFF: Fairlie Chappuis

Reconciling Security Sector Reform and the Protection of Civilians in Peacekeeping Contexts

January 7, 2015 | EXPERT: Ellen Laipson , EXTERNAL: Mokhtar Lamani

Iraq's New Realities

January 5, 2015 | EXPERT: Brian Finlay , EXPERT: Johanna Mendelson Forman

Beyond Boundaries in Brazil: Innovating for Proliferation Prevention

December 22, 2014 | EXPERT: Nate Olson

Making Public-Private Security Cooperation More Efficient, Effective and Sustainable

December 19, 2014

The South China Sea and Great Power Politics: Implications for U.S.-China-Taiwan Relations

November 18, 2014 | EXPERT: Brian Finlay

The Role of the IAEA in Balancing Security and Development Priorities in the 21st Century

November 17, 2014 | EXPERT: Alison Giffen , EXPERT: Aditi Gorur

"Will They Protect Us For The Next 10 Years?" Challenges Faced By UN Peacekeeping Mission

October 22, 2014 | EXPERT: Rachel Stohl

The Arms Trade Treaty-Baseline Assessment Project: Initial Findings and Current State Practice

October 17, 2014 | EXPERT: Alan D. Romberg

Cross-Strait Relations:Portrayals of Consistency. Calm on the Surface, Paddling Like Hell Underneath

October 8, 2014 | EXPERT: Courtney Weatherby , EXPERT: Richard Cronin

Letters from the Mekong

September 25, 2014 | EXPERT: Aditi Gorur

Perceptions of Security Among Internally Displaced Persons in Juba, South Sudan

September 10, 2014 | EXPERT: Yun Sun

Myanmar’s ASEAN Chairmanship: An Early Assessment

July 28, 2014 | EXPERT: Aditi Gorur

Perceptions of Security in Aweil North County, South Sudan

July 15, 2014 | EXPERT: Sofia Sebastian , EXPERT: William Durch

UN Global Focal Point for Police, Justice and Corrections

June 26, 2014 | EXPERT: Rachel Stohl

Recommendations and Report of the Stimson Task Force on US Drone Policy

June 10, 2014 | EXPERT: Mona Yacoubian

Lessons Learned for Stabilization in Syria

June 10, 2014 | EXPERT: Yun Sun

Myanmar in US-China Relations

June 9, 2014 | EXPERT: Alan D. Romberg

Sunshine Heats Up Taiwan Politics, Affects PRC Tactics

May 29, 2014 | EXPERT: Barry Blechman

Making Public-Private Security Cooperation More Efficient, Effective, and Sustainable: Recommendations on the Task Force

March 19, 2014 | EXPERT: Barry Blechman , EXPERT: Russell Rumbaugh

"Strategic Agility" Assessment of the President's FY2015 Defense Budget

March 18, 2014 | EXPERT: Brian Finlay

Southern Flows: Weapons of Mass Destruction & the Developing World

March 11, 2014 | EXPERT: Yuki Tatsumi

Japan's Foreign Policy Challenges in East Asia: Views from the Next Generation

February 21, 2014 | EXPERT: Alan D. Romberg

From Generation to Generation: Advancing Cross-Strait Relations

January 30, 2014 | EXPERT: Yun Sun

China, the United States, and the Kachin Conflict

January 13, 2014 | EXPERT: Yuki Tatsumi

Opportunity Out of Necessity

January 7, 2014 | EXPERT: Johan Bergenas

Killing Animals, Buying Arms

December 12, 2013 | EXPERT: David Smith , STAFF: Julia Thompson , EXPERT: Michael Krepon

Deterrence Stability and Escalation Control in South Asia

November 18, 2013

The Security of Cities: Ecology and Conflict on an Urbanizing Planet

November 8, 2013 | EXPERT: William Durch

Police in UN Peacekeeping: Improving Selection, Recruitment, and Deployment

October 17, 2013 | EXPERT: Alison Giffen

Community Perceptions as a Priority in Protection and Peacekeeping

September 23, 2013 | EXPERT: Barry Blechman , EXPERT: Russell Rumbaugh

Strategic Agility: Strong National Defense For Today’s Global And Fiscal Realities

September 17, 2013 | STAFF: Julia Thompson , EXPERT: Michael Krepon

Anti-satellite Weapons, Deterrence and Sino-American Space Relations

September 16, 2013 | EXPERT: Yun Sun

Chinese Investment in Myanmar: What Lies Ahead?

September 1, 2013

Developing Nepal's Hydroelectric Resources: Policy Alternatives

August 14, 2013 | EXPERT: Yuki Tatsumi

Senkaku Islands/East China Sea Disputes -- A Japanese Perspective

August 5, 2013 | EXPERT: Aditi Gorur

Community Self-Protection Strategies: How Peacekeepers Can Help or Harm

May 13, 2013 | EXPERT: Mona Yacoubian

Give Peace Talks in Syria a Chance

May 13, 2013 | EXPERT: Barry Blechman , EXPERT: Matthew Leatherman , EXPERT: Russell Rumbaugh

Managing the Military More Efficiently: Potential Savings Separate from Strategy

March 4, 2013 | EXPERT: Johan Bergenas

Combatting the Undercurrents of Globalization in the Developing World

February 26, 2013 | EXPERT: David Michel , EXPERT: Russell Sticklor

Connecting the Drops: An Indus Basin Roadmap for Cross-Border Water Research and Policy Coordination

January 9, 2013 | EXPERT: Brian Finlay , EXPERT: Johan Bergenas

Beyond Boundaries in Southeast Asia

November 30, 2012 | EXPERT: Yuki Tatsumi

Great Eastern Japan Earthquake: "Lessons Learned" for Japanese Defense Policy

November 29, 2012 | EXPERT: Brian Finlay

Meeting the Objectives of UN Security Council Resolution 1540: The Role of Civil Society

November 15, 2012 | EXPERT: Amit Pandya , EXPERT: David Michel , EXPERT: Russell Sticklor , EXPERT: Syed Iqbal Hasnain

Water Challenges and Cooperative Response in the Middle East and North Africa

November 15, 2012 | EXPERT: Barry Blechman , EXPERT: Russell Rumbaugh

A New US Defense Strategy for a New Era: Military Superiority, Agility, and Efficiency

October 25, 2012 | EXPERT: Russell Rumbaugh

Diplomacy in a Time of Scarcity

September 26, 2012 | EXPERT: David Michel , EXTERNAL: Halae Fuller , EXTERNAL: Lindsay Dolan , EXPERT: Russell Sticklor , EXPERT: Rupert Herbert-Burns

Indian Ocean Rising: Maritime Security and Policy Challenges

September 17, 2012 | EXTERNAL: Nathan Cohn , EXPERT: Russell Rumbaugh

Resolving Ambiguity: Costing Nuclear Weapons

December 15, 2011 | EXPERT: Alison Giffen , EXTERNAL: Samir Elhawary , EXTERNAL: Victoria Metcalfe

UN Integration And Humanitarian Space

May 9, 2009 | EXPERT: Eric Lief , EXPERT: Julie E. Fischer

The US Government’s Global Health Policy Architecture: Structure, Programs, And Funding

January 1, 2004 | EXPERT: Brian Finlay

Ultimate Security: Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction

October 13, 1995 | EXTERNAL: Amy Smithson , EXPERT: Michael Krepon , EXTERNAL: Major General Roland Lajoie (ret.) , EXTERNAL: Vil Mirzayanov

Chemical Weapons Disarmament in Russia: Problems and Prospects