Country Resources

There is an acute feeling that time is running out—that this is Europe’s last chance to stand on its own feet militarily.

Trump and Putin talk Ukraine while strategic arms control remains off the agenda, U.S. allies weigh their nuclear options, the Ban Treaty states meet in New York, and Los Alamos opens environmental impact study for comments.

Representatives of Canada, France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union skipped the ceremony in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, recognizing the anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings, after Israel was disinvited.

The NPT preparatory committee meets in Geneva as states-parties discuss a path forward to the 2026 Review Conference. Kazakhstan announces a nuclear-weapons-free zones workshop. The United States continues with its ICBM modernization program.

Russia conducted military exercises involving nonstrategic nuclear weapons, framing the drills as a response to NATO’s support for Ukraine.

The action could come at the next International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting if Iran does not meet its legally binding safeguards obligations.

Sweden Joins NATO

The IAEA reports a small decrease in Iran’s 60 percent uranium stockpile, but no progress on the safeguards investigation. In the meantime, the annual U.S. Worldwide Threat Assessment, released after a Congressional hearing March 11, assesses that Iran is not engaged in weaponization activities.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi called for diplomacy with Tehran after the agency reported that Iran increased its production of uranium enriched to near weapons grade. Grossi also criticized Iran for restricting cooperation with the agency.

There are growing concerns about Iran's continued enrichment and new nuclear facilities as well as possible missile sales to Russia.

The United States and its NATO allies announced their plans following Russia’s decision earlier this year to withdraw from the pact.

The Report of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States suggests that in response to Russia’s nuclear and military behavior and the anticipated growth of China’s strategic nuclear arsenal, the United States must be prepared to add more capability and flexibility to the U.S. strategic deterrent and enhance its missile defense capabilities.

The United States and Iran took steps to de-escalate tensions over the past few weeks, but it is unclear if the progress will lead to a resumption of talks over Iran’s advancing nuclear program. Meanwhile, the E3 will keep in place certain sanctions on Iran and the IAEA states current safeguards issues remain unresolved.

Some types of lethal U.S. and European military assistance to Ukraine, including cluster munitions, would be escalatory, counterproductive, and only further increase the dangers to civilians caught in combat zones

The meeting takes place amid Russia’s war on Ukraine and Ukraine’s push for NATO membership.