Roundtable on Nuclear Security in Conflict Zones

The outbreak of war in Europe and the Middle East has elevated concerns about the security and safety of nuclear facilities during conflict. This roundtable will explore complex dynamics of nuclear risk in conflict zones, focusing on the interplay between actions, global governance frameworks, and regional security dilemmas. A key point of discussion will be the India-Pakistan Non-Attack Agreement (NAA), a rare and enduring example of bilateral confidence-building measure that has been successfully upheld since it entered in force over 30 years ago. This agreement provides valuable insights into how such frameworks can be adapted to other regions facing similar risks.

The roundtable will critically examine how the principles underpinning the NAA - such as the protection of nuclear facilities during conflict - could be applied to enhance nuclear security in conflict-prone areas, with particular relevance to the Russia-Ukraine War. It will address broader implications for the global nuclear nonproliferation regime and international norms. The roundtable aims to offer an in-depth analysis of nuclear security strategies that can be informed by South Asia's experience and adapted to other conflict zones, thereby contributing to a more secure global order. 

Hosted by Project on Managing the Atom at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.