China's test of a long-range ballistic missile from a submarine in the Pacific drew sharp criticism from the US and Indo-Pacific nations, who called it destabilizing and provocative amid escalating strategic competition.
China, the UN, and the African Union partnered to train security officials from Africa's Great Lakes region in Beijing on small arms control. This initiative aims to reduce illicit weapons circulation and support the AU's "Silencing the Guns" project, addressing instability that threatens China's economic interests.
A South African human rights group, SALC, has filed a lawsuit against the government to suspend arms export permits to the US, citing potential violations of domestic law and international peace concerns.
Lebanon's Hezbollah and Amal Movement have dropped their demand for an Israeli withdrawal as a precondition for a ceasefire, now seeking only a halt to hostilities. Meanwhile, Iraq's Nujaba movement rejects the government's arms control plan, and Israel's recent assassinations of Hamas leaders, including commanders of its military wing, have prompted investigations into potential security breaches and the effectiveness of Israeli intelligence.
Thomas Countryman, Chairman of the US Arms Control Association, described the proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defense system as an "expensive impossible dream" and a waste of money. He urged Congress to prevent its development, citing potential dangers and the need for international discussion on missile defense restraints.
Thomas Countryman, Chairman of the American Arms Control Association, stated that Russia's proposal to remove highly enriched uranium from Iran to Russia is a useful solution, similar to its role in the 2015 JCPOA. He noted that both this option and down-blending within Iran are good solutions to the nuclear proliferation problem, though negotiations between the US and Iran are ongoing. Former US President Donald Trump had previously expressed dissatisfaction with this option.
Thomas Countryman, Chairman of the Arms Control Association, believes Russia and the US should engage in quiet, non-public security consultations to develop a new arms control treaty, as prospects for a formal agreement are currently low following the New START treaty's expiration.
Thomas Countryman, chairman of the US Arms Control Association, stated that exporting enriched uranium from Iran to Russia would be a good solution to the Iranian conflict. He also noted that mixing the uranium within Iran to lower enrichment levels is another viable option.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned at the opening of the 11th NPT Review Conference that arms control is dying, nuclear dangers are resurging, and humanity has entered a state of collective amnesia about nuclear horrors. The conference, gathering 191 countries at UN headquarters in New York, runs until May 22 amid deep contradictions between nuclear and non-nuclear powers.
Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali called on Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states to strengthen arms control and anti-terrorist cooperation during consultations in Moscow. He emphasized the need to use the SCO's crisis-settlement potential and organize special meetings to strengthen arms control mechanisms, highlighting that joint efforts to counter terrorism and illegal arms trafficking will serve as a guarantee of stability and security in the region.
Republican Senator Deb Fischer, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee's strategic forces subcommittee, says China must be involved in nuclear arms control treaty negotiations. The US has been trying to bring China into the New Start treaty, which expired in February, but China has refused to participate, insisting it has no intention of engaging in an arms race.
The alliance's renewed support for the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty comes ahead of a key summit.
