9. UK Nuclear Policy

In 2021, the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy announced that the UK will increase its cap on the number of operational nuclear warheads that it has available. Previously, the UK had committed to only maintaining 225 warheads and was working to reduce that number down to 180. Now, however, the UK can keep 260 warheads in its nuclear arsenal. This raises various questions. Why is the UK acting in opposition to the non-proliferation treaty? What threats have emerged to warrant this increase in WMDs? Is Nuclear war becoming more likely? And do more nuclear weapons make nuclear war less likely?

Thankfully, we have Dr Matthew Harries (RUSI) on the show to discuss these very pertinent questions and explain the rationale behind the UK's decision to increase the cap on its nuclear warheads.