Tim Sweijs recounts his path to becoming Research Director at The Hague Center for Strategic Studies (HCSS), where he focuses on nuclear deterrence, arms control, and security strategy. He highlights nuclear weapons' role in today’s unstable geopolitical environment, especially post-Ukraine conflict, advocating for robust deterrence protocols and discussing the complexities of nuclear multipolarity. Sweijs explains the function of HCSS in fostering evidence-based security policy and mentions its collaboration with international partners, emphasizing HCSS’s unique positioning within Dutch and broader European defense communities.

This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

Piet de Klerk is a former Dutch diplomat. He served as a member of the Netherlands delegation to ACRS. 

Michael Yaffe is a former US diplomat. He served as a member of the US delegation to ACRS. 

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

The Dutch government contends that an agreement on general and complete disarmament must be proceeded under the existing balance of power

The Dutch government supports a general and complete disarmament agreement under international control, but such agreement should not disturb the balance of power.

The Dutch Defense Minister outlines opposition to NATO modernization proposals. He specifically mentions that the program seems not to take arms control efforts into account, while erring too high on the side of missile installation. He points out the tremendous political difficulties supporting such a move would have at home. Also included in this collection are short responses from the UK Minister of Defense.