Alpha works to understand and counter illicit, proliferation-related trade. This involves three strands of work:
- Understanding illicit trade. This includes:
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- Researching and publishing examples of illicit trade through the Alpha case studies series
- Researching the manufacturing base of proliferation-sensitive items in order to understand the size, shape and technical capability of the supply chain
2. Improving the implementation of trade controls in order to counter illicit trade. This involves:
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- Participating as an implementation partner in the EU outreach program on dual-use goods (with Ian Stewart taking on the role of program training adviser)
- Conducting industry outreach in the UK in partnership with the Export Control Organisation and other relevant Departments.
- Providing a variety of services to business, including free elearning, training and consultancy.
- Maintaining a ‘Partners Initiative’ linked to the NSG good practice guidance to encourage companies to be proactive in preventing proliferation-related trade
3. Informing efforts to optimise the non-proliferation regime. This includes:
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- Supporting implementation of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including 1540 (aimed at preventing non-state actor involvement in proliferation), and sanctions resolutions adopted against Iran and North Korea
- Supporting the IAEA through UK support programme
Alpha is based in the Centre for Science and Security Studies at King’s College London. As a project based in academia, Alpha aims to publish research findings through a variety of mediums, including peer reviewed journals, the CSSS paper series, and via the Alpha website. Alpha also aims to further non-proliferation objectives through new tools and techniques, such as data visualisation.