Applying Best Practices of the US-Russian Nuclear Security Cooperation to Advancing a Global Nuclear Security Agenda

US-Russian cooperation in nuclear security provides valuable insight and recommendations on how to establish bilateral and multilateral cooperative programs to improve nuclear security in other regions. It also creates a potential for a joint US-Russian engagement in addressing global nuclear security needs, particularly in regions where resources and capacities are limited. These recommendations can promote success and sustainability for potential multilateral cooperation on nuclear security, including within the framework of the G-8 Global Partnership, UNSCR 1540 implementation, IAEA-led efforts and various bilateral and regional arrangements. With this goal in mind, the team of researchers from CENESS, CNS, and VCDNP examined the most successful US-Russian cooperative programs and nuclear security needs in Southeast Asia and former Soviet republics--two regions in need of further strengthening of nuclear security infrastructure and arrangements. They identified a number of areas in which the experience and expertise gained during US-Russian cooperative threat reduction efforts could provide the most valuable input to advancing nuclear security goals. The following five areas were identified: 1) education and training of nuclear security specialists, 2) legal and institutional framework developments, 3) border controls, 4) strategic trade controls, and 5) radiological source control and management. (author)