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Emerging disruptive technologies, discontinued arms control treaties and growing distrust in international relations demand a renewed focus on confidence measures. The current geopolitical climate has foreign policies focusing on deterrence, but whereas deterrence prevents war, it is the confidence building measures that promote peace - and with that prosperity and security.
Since the Russian annexation of Crimea and parts of the Donbas, arms control treaties between the former Soviet Union and the West are increasingly under pressure. Russian development of weapons systems that are prohibited under the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty have led to the US withdrawing from this treaty. The Vienna Document and Conventional Forces Europe treaties, as well as the Open Skies treaty are no longer honoured by all of the signatory states. What is more, since the signing of the treaties, new technologies have emerged that pose a major threat to international security. Countries that are not part of the treaties now implement technologies and develop weapons systems that should be included in the treaties. AI, quantum and cyber weapons, and the emergence of autonomous weapons systems are all part of a new arms race.
Although arms control and deterrence are two sides of the same coin, little attention or effort is given to arms control. The current focus on deterrence - necessary as it may be - not only increases distrust, but has a major economic impact as well. And the risk of (inadvertent) escalation grows with it.
Where the political and military debate currently leave little room for discussing arms control, the academic debate can provide a first step in analysing the current situation, and identifying possible ways ahead. This symposium seeks to facilitate this academic debate, to question to what extent our way of looking at arms control still matches reality. How should arms control evolve to remain relevant in a world where emerging technologies, hybrid threats and a changing world order determine the future?
Program (concept)
13:00 registration
13:30 opening
17:30 closing remarks
18:00 network event with drinks
19:00 end of event
Location
Universiteit Leiden, Campus Den Haag
Registration
Registration will open in the second half of September. Stay tuned to our social media and website for updates!