This research project was conducted from 2015 to 2017.
After the end of the Cold War, in the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review(NPR), the United States mentioned the decreasing role of nuclear weapons, while Russia has reaffirmed the role of tactical nuclear weapons. It has shown asymmetry of these two nuclear powers. In addition, signs have been pointing to an increasing role of nuclear weapons in the international strategic environment as China’s nuclear capabilities have modernized and nuclear competition in South Asia has intensified. In the changing international environment, the challenges relating to nuclear weapons and nuclear power in the security domain have grown; in addition to the increasing risk of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism, we are facing a re-definition of the role of nuclear weapons in national security policies through the world.

Based on an awareness of this problem, we analyzed the changing roles of nuclear weapons in national security/defense policies and strategies of countries and regions including the US, Russia, South Asia and Europe. The project also aimed to look at the disarmament and non-proliferation systems in this changing environment. Based on the results of this research project, The End of Nuclear Forgetting: Revival of Nuclear Weapons was published in June 2019. The book launch event was also held on July 19, 2019 at SPF.