While non-state actors seeking weapons of mass destruction and rogue states proliferating nuclear knowledge still pose a menace to the international community, the world no longer lives under the shadow of great power transcontinental nuclear conflicts. In light of this new order, the question has been raised as to the necessity of the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent, especially as the current Trident system approaches the end of its shelf life.
In response to this discussion, the Council on Christian Approaches to Deterrence and Disarmament (CCADD) has assembled a new publication entitled Britain’s Bomb: What Next?, bringing together the considered views of an impressive group of churchmen, politicians, military experts, civil servants, scientists, journalists, diplomats and peace activists.
The book is a collection of essays about the issue of retaining or not retaining Britain’s nuclear weapons after the Trident system comes to the end of its present life. They are by acknowledged experts in the field, and represent all shades of opinion. The purpose of the book is to contribute to the public debate on the question which HMG has encouraged.
The meeting is to be chaired Dr Patrick Cronin, Director of Studies, IISS, and Lord Richard Harries of Pentregarth, President of CCADD. The first speaker will be Sir Michael Howard, followed two of the contributing authors, one on each side of the debate: namely David Fisher, former Deputy Head of the Defence and Overseas Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, and Michael McGwire, former naval officer and NATO planner. Mr Brian Wicker, Chair of the CCADD, and co-editor of "Britain's Bomb" will then provide some summarizing remarks. There will then be time for questions and discussion.
This meeting will take place at the IISS, Arundel House, 13-15 Arundel Street, WC2R 3DX and will start with drinks at 1730, for a start at around 1800, and to last approximately one hour. Copies of the book in paperback will be available for purchase at a discount.
Please notify Raffaello Pantucci at
pantucci@iiss.org or tel. +44 (0)20 7395 9128
if you would like to attend.
