US hosts nuclear weapons meeting with major world powers

The United States recently led a meeting of nuclear weapons experts from China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Northern Ireland in Cairo, Egypt. The meeting was part of an ongoing exchange under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, signed in 1968, which aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear technology. The experts from the respective ministries of foreign affairs and defense discussed strategic risk reduction, nuclear doctrines, and policy. The US delegation included members of the Departments of State and Defense and the National Nuclear Security Administration. The State Department said the delegation welcomed the professional approach of the delegations and the inclusion of defense officials in the thematic discussions. The US will continue to facilitate such discussions among nuclear experts from these five countries. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the talks were part of a routine, continuing dialogue and a good opportunity for dialogue about nuclear safety protocols and procedures. A spokesperson for the State Department said experts had also met in Dubai in February as part of the dialogue. Both multilateral conversations were found to be professional and useful.