Monterey Institute of International Studies

The Non-Aligned Movement is the largest and most diverse political grouping of nations engaged on issues related to nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament. It consists of 118 full members and sixteen observer countries-more than two-thirds of the total membership of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Surprisingly, in light of the size and political significance of the group, few Western governments, NGOs, or academics display much familiarity with its politics or perspectives and often fail to appreciate the diversity of views and concerns within the Non-Aligned Movement. This project would continue the Monterey Institute's work to enlist the Non-Aligned Movement's support on issues related to nonproliferation and disarmament, particularly the implementation of the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Final Document and the 2010 Nuclear Security Work Plan.

This project would continue the Monterey Institute’s work to enlist the Non-Aligned Movement’s support on issues related to nonproliferation and disarmament, particularly the implementation of the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Final Document. The Non-Aligned Movement is the largest and most diverse political grouping of nations engaged on issues related to nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament—more than two-thirds of the total membership of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including key countries such as India, Indonesia, and Egypt. Surprisingly, in light of the size and political significance of the group, few Western governments, NGOs, or academics display much familiarity with its politics or perspectives.

The Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute for International Studies retains more knowledge of United Nations nuclear policy issues than most governments. In fact, the one last minute change to the recent United Nations resolution proposed by the U.S. was drafted by the Center. In 2010, the Center will continue to build upon work funded by the Hewlett Foundation to ensure that the main diplomats running the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference have been educated on the issues and to provide a distinctive off-the-record conference of most of the main ambassadors to the conference ahead of time to work out the skeleton of the compromises necessary for a successful review in May 2010. Ultimately, the Center hopes to keep the Conference on track to achieve breakthroughs similar to that just negotiated by the Obama administration: new rules, more strongly enforced in exchange for further willingness on the part of the U.S. and others to reduce their nuclear arsenals.