France and Nuclear Disarmament: The Meaning of the Sarkozy Speech

Analysis by Bruno Tertrais

It is customary for a French President to devote an entire speech to issues of nuclear deterrence – something his US or British counterparts have seldom done since the end of the Cold war, and which testifies to the importance that nuclear weapons still have for Paris. But the speech given by President Nicolas Sarkozy on March 21 was noteworthy in at least two respects. It signaled that even though Sarkozy is often keen on making "clean breaks" with past practices, continuity would prevail as far as nuclear weapons policy is concerned. This was not a given: Sarkozy is the first post-World War Two generation, as well as the first true post-Gaullism president, and his ascension to power happened after the end of the Cold war. However, the speech also devoted an unusual amount of time – by French standards – to issues of disarmament, something which surprised many observers.

The G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit and Nonproliferation

Analysis by Taijiro Kimura

The Group of Eight (G8) Summit will be held on July 7 to 9, 2008, in the Lake Toya area of Hokkaido, Japan. The Government of Japan, as chair, has presented the major themes of the Summit: (1) Environment and Climate Change; (2) Development and Africa, (3) World Economy; and (4) Political Issues, including nuclear nonproliferation. While climate change is a top priority, nonproliferation and the ongoing nuclear challenges of North Korea and Iran continue to be urgent tasks for the G8. Thus, at the Hokkaido Toyako Summit the G8 leaders should take action to strengthen the nonproliferation regime.

Taijiro Kimura, a Visiting Scholar in Carnegie's Nonproliferation Program, recommends the top five most important nonproliferation-related objectives for the G8.

Proliferation Analysis Archive >>

Risks of Nuclear Expansion
Carnegie Senior Associate Sharon Squassoni on BBC World Service, April 21, 2008

U.S.-United Arab Emirates Memorandum of Understanding on Nuclear Energy Cooperation
Media Note, April 21, 2008

Leadership Down Under
Deepti Choubey, Washingtonpost.com's Think Tank Town, April 5, 2008

Nuclear Power in a Warming World: Solution or Illusion?
Carnegie Senior Associate Sharon Squassoni in testimony before the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, March 12, 2008

Dealing with Iran's Nuclear Ambitions: What Future Strategy for the International Community?
Carnegie Event held in Berlin, Germany, March 11, 2008

UN Security Council Resolution 1803, imposing further sanctions against Iran's nuclear program
March 3, 2008