Scientists Against Rearmament

At the beginning of March, scientists from across the world issued a manifesto opposing militarisation and calling on governments to ‘construct peace, not war’. The many European signatories are joined by those from North America, Latin America, China, India, and Russia. 

Almost 4,000 medics, engineers, and other practitioners, academics, foundations, and NGOs have signed up. UK organisations include the Pugwash Council, Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation, and Stephen Hawking’s Fellowship of Edinburgh University. Former CND chair, Professor Dave Webb, is also a signatory.

Noting that conflicts are on the rise around the world, the manifesto challenges the idea that peace depends on overpowering the other side, arguing that this only leads to escalation, and escalation leads to war. Instead, it calls on governments to engage in dialogue, tolerance, and diplomacy.

The manifesto reminds us: ‘major conflicts have always been preceded by massive military investments. Since 2009, global military spending has reached unprecedented record levels each year, with 2024 expenditure hitting an all-time high of 2443 billion dollars. The “ReArm Europe Plan” commits Europe to invest 800 billion euros in military expenses.’

Read the Scientists Against Rearmament Manifesto here  

Why Iran is crucial to a nuclear free Middle East

In an article on the US-Iran nuclear talks, London CND Chair Carol Turner argues that a nuclear weapons-free zone across the Middle East will be foundational for a stable peace in the region. 

Israel, the only nuclear weapons state in the region, continues to acknowledge its status and hasn’t signed or ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iran is the only other Middle East country with the potential to become a nuclear weapons state in the foreseeable future. Its cooperation is essential to any practical steps towards a nuclear weapons-free Middle East.

Carol explains why President Trump’s decision in his first term of office, to withdraw the US from the JCPOA, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiated by Barack Obama, was a big step backwards toward achieving that goal. She outlines the basis on which the current negotiations are now taking place, including the approach taken by Iran with the support of UN Security Council members China and Russia.

The article is available in full on the CND website. It is based on a recent CND webinar, held alongside the NPT Preparatory Committee in New York, with PSC Secretary Ben Soffa, Mark Curtis of Declassified UK and chaired by CND general secretary Sophie Bolt. 

You can watch the CND webinar here.

London CND joins new coalition: StopRearm Europe

StopRearm Europe

Concern is growing across Europe that increases in military spending are a precursor to rearmament in preparation for war. London CND has recently signed the call to action of this newly formed coalition. Like CND, the organisations taking part share our concern that moves to increase military spending are dramatically impacting welfare provisions by governments across the continent. 

The StopRearm Europe coalition was formed in response to rearmament moves by the European Parliament, and is supported by hundreds of local, national, and Europe-wide organisations. It reaches across Europe, and is growing  – from Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, and elsewhere. 

CND was one of the founders, along with our partner organisation, including Stop the War Coalition, Global Campaign on Military Spending (GCOMS) UK, and the International Peace Bureau. A week of global action is being organised. CND will be announcing details of activities in Britain, and London CND will be playing out part. Watch this space for details!

Call to Action

We oppose the EU’s plans to spend an extra €800 billion on arms. This will be €800 billion stolen. Stolen from social services, health, education, labour, peace building, international cooperation, from a just transition and climate justice. It will only benefit arms manufacturers in Europe, in the USA and elsewhere.

It will make war more likely, and the future less safe for everyone! It will generate more debt, more austerity, more borders. It will deepen racism. It will fuel climate change.  We do not need more weapons; we do not need to prepare for more wars. What we need is a totally different plan: real, social, ecological and common security for Europe and for the world.

Stand up against war!

Stop ReArm Europe!