Thread by @RikeFranke

I found this point really interesting so I went and checked - and unless I am missing something there actually hasn’t been a change: the 2015 review also only mentioned NATO allies in the nuclear context.

https://twitter.com/beatriceheuser/status/1373334502903255041

While the UK was part of the EU, it was bound by the EU‘s mutual defence clause (article 42.7, basically the EU‘s article 5). But (like with article 5) there is a lot of leeway there re national commitments. And the UK never really saw that to include its nuclear capabilities.

Finally, it’s important to recognise that while these debates matter for deterrence purposes, if we ever actually face a situation in which the UK might use its nuclear weapons discussions over which treaties apply probably won’t be #1 priority.

Which is why (last point in this Sunday-afternoon-thinking-aloud-thread) I like this point👇 in the integrated review. I would argue this isn’t only true for FR& UK. At the level where nuclear weapons use is considered, European countries are extremely likely to be all affected.