Spectrum Publication

Always stay up to date on CTBTO’s flagship publication ‘CTBTO Spectrum’. The CTBTO Spectrum App (iPad only) includes current and previous issues from the print magazine, plus interactive slideshows and Treaty signature/ratification maps.

The App is free of charge and supports the new iPad retina display. You can also subscribe to our magazine directly in the app so you’ll always be notified when a new CTBTO Spectrum issue is available. 

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In this special 15th anniversary issue of Spectrum and video, a number of former and current staff share some of their personal memories of the journey since March 1997 when the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) began its operations in Vienna. In the words of the first Executive Secretary of the CTBTO, Wolfgang Hoffmann: “We were a very small group of people with a huge task.”

Although confronted with numerous challenges, many staff refer to the enthusiasm, optimism and team spirit which have made it all worthwhile and have enabled great progress to be made.  Reflecting on the last 15 years, the CTBTO’s Executive Secretary Tibor Tóth concludes: “I think we can be proud that we have managed to deliver on things that were just dreams in March 1997 and to turn them into reality by spring 2012.”

In the latest issue of Spectrum, the former leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, calls for a total ban on nuclear testing. In his article entitled The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT): Helping to create a truly global community, Gorbachev states that we should not be content with the current virtual moratorium on nuclear testing “because commitments that are not legally binding can easily be violated.”  He urges the nine ‘rejectionist’ countries that must still ratify the CTBT to do so in order for the Treaty to enter into force.

The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, states that “the CTBT stands as a beacon, lighting the path towards a peaceful world, free from nuclear explosions, whether for military or for peaceful purposes. For this reason, Trinidad and Tobago signed the CTBT on 8 October 2009 and ratified it on 26 May 2010.” She also describes how CTBT monitoring data can be used for disaster mitigation, especially by providing faster tsunami warnings, and outlines efforts to establish a tsunami warning system in the Caribbean. And recognizing the vital links between women and disarmament, the article stresses Trinidad and Tobago’s belief that “all discussions on disarmament, conflict resolution and peace-building must include women to ensure an expansion of their role."

In the latest issue of Spectrum, Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan of Jordan underlines the importance of focusing on the nexus between nuclear safety and nuclear security. In her article entitled Safeguarding the Arab Renaissance, Princess Sumaya explains that: “We in Jordan are ready to help shape our nuclear renaissance safely and securely, with a full commitment to non-proliferation and disarmament in our region.” She also outlines a proposal to establish sub-National Data Centres at several science universities in Jordan “to increase the use of invaluable IMS [International Monitoring System] data to aid scientific research in fields as diverse as seismology, geology, the environment and ICT,” and her desire for the establishment of a Regional Data Centre in her country to help expand Treaty acceptance in the region.

Three analysts from the International Data Centre (IDC), geophysicist Marcela Villarroel, seismologist Jane Gore, and physicist Carla Pires, provide unique insights into one of the CTBTO’s core activities – analyzing the data transmitted by the IMS to the CTBTO headquarters in Vienna. They talk about some of the challenges and rewards of their work and the importance of ensuring that CTBTO Member States receive data bulletins and analysis reports in a timely manner.

The articles in this issue of Spectrum are from a diverse range of voices, setting a new precedent for the publication. Former U.S. Republican Senator Jake Garn of Utah urges the United States to provide the leadership needed to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons by permanently ending nuclear weapons testing and ratifying the CTBT. Talat Masood, former Secretary for Defence Production in the Ministry of Defence, Pakistan, outlines the near term and long term developments that will influence the nuclear landscape. Bharath Gopalaswamy, formerly of the Indian Space Research Organization and now at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), highlights the benefits of CTBTO membership and points out that States that have not signed the Treaty are at a disadvantage since they do not have access to verification data. Xia Liping from Tongji University in China explains why CTBT ratification is in China’s strategic interests. And Michel Nambobona, the Director General of the National Data Centre in the Central African Republic, outlines his personal role in helping to secure CTBT ratification by his nation.

Spectrum 15 also covers various verification-related issues. On-site inspection expert, Charles Carrigan, describes the evaluation of equipment during the CTBTO’s 2009 Noble Gas Field Operations Test (NG09) in Slovakia. And finally, our own infrasound experts describe some of the recent experiences gained by the infrasound network.

Reflecting the renewed political prominence of the CTBT, this issue of Spectrum has an abundance of political and scientific contributions from prominent authors. No less than four foreign ministers explain why the CTBT is important to their countries: French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and his Moroccan counterpart, Taieb Fassi Fihri, who will be jointly presiding over the Article XIV conference; Alberto Romulo, Foreign Minister of the Philippines and Carl Bildt, Foreign Minister of Sweden, the country currently holding the Presidency of the European Union. With regard to the articles by political analysts, Chinese academic and nuclear arms control expert, Shen Dingli, explains why the CTBT should be ratified by China. James Goodby, former U.S. diplomat and specialist on nuclear non-proliferation and security issues, places the CTBT into the wider context of nuclear non-proliferation.

On the more scientific side, physicist and verification expert David Hafemeister presents a detailed analysis on the CTBT’s verifiability. Sidney Drell, physicist and longtime adviser to the U.S. government and the nuclear weapons laboratories, reflects on the Stockpile Stewardship Program, an important factor for the U.S. discussions on CTBT ratification. The North-West Pacific Tsunami Information Center in Japan explains how it profits from International Monitoring System (IMS) data for tsunami warning purposes. And finally, our own experts provide insights into the CTBTO’s findings on the May 25 North Korean nuclear test.

While the current global financial crisis has been dominating headlines recently, it is important not to neglect another complex and insufficiently regulated system: the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. CTBTO Spectrum 12 highlights the crucial role that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) plays in this regime and is honoured to have an interview with the Academy Award-winning actor and UN Messenger for Peace, Michael Douglas, as well as articles by the German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre. Their contributions are complemented by articles from Deepti Choubey of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Raymond Jeanloz of the University of California, Berkeley. Spectrum 12 also outlines the build-up of the International Monitoring System over the last decade, the Integrated Field Exercise 2008 for on-site inspections, the International Scientific Studies project to assess the readiness and capability of the CTBT to detect nuclear explosions worldwide, and Part 2 of the ongoing cooperation between the CTBTO and the World Meteorological Organization.

In view of the current political climate, this edition of CTBTO Spectrum focuses on the role of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in the wider non-proliferation and disarmament context. We are privileged to have received articles from several internationally acclaimed leaders and political figures including President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, former US Senator Sam Nunn, and US senior diplomats, Ambassadors Max Kampelman and Tom Graham. Their contributions are complemented by an article by Daryl Kimball, Executive Director of the Arms Control Association,  and there are also feature articles on the Integrated Field Exercise 2008 for on-site inspections, the challenges of establishing monitoring stations in Antarctica, the ongoing International Scientific Studies project to assess the readiness and capability of the CTBT to detect nuclear explosions worldwide, and the cooperation between the CTBTO and the World Meteorological Organization.

This special issue of CTBTO Spectrum focuses on the political importance of early entry into force leading up to the Article XIV Conference and the many challenges arising when building a global verification system. World-renowned personalities, such as United Nations Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon and Dr Hans Blix, former Chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, give their views on the significance of the CTBT. Their contributions are complemented by a special feature analysis by Dr Rebecca Johnson, Director of the Acronym Institute, and a respected voice from the non-governmental community.

This issue of CTBTO Spectrum looks at the many interactions between the NAWE region and the CTBT, at the anniversary activities marking the adoption of the Treaty ten years ago, as well as at the achievements of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission and future challenges. Several hundred participants listened to presentations of world-renowned scientists in the first scientific symposium organized by the PTS, which was held from 31 August to 1 September 2006 at the Hofburg in Vienna. Delegations and scientists engaged in a multi-disciplinary exchange of ideas and explored synergies between the global scientific community and the CTBTO Preparatory Commission.

Besides providing an outlook on the scientifi c symposium by Ola Dahlman, former Working Group B Chairman, this issue of CTBTO Spectrum looks at the many interactions between the South-East Asia, the Pacifi c and the Far East (SEAPFE) region and the CTBT. The PTS is particularly honoured to publish an interview with the Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control of New Zealand, Hon Phil Goff, focusing, inter alia, on the eminent role of New Zealand in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Furthermore, a special feature article by Ambassador Yukiya Amano of Japan looks at his country’s contribution to the Treaty. The Ambassador of Vietnam, H.E. Nguyen Truong Giang, gives his personal view on Viet Nam’s decision to ratify the CTBT as the 34th Annex 2 State.

This issue of CTBTO Spectrum takes a close look at the Article XIV process and the results of the 2005 Article XIV Conference. Two eminent supporters of the Treaty provided contributions in this context: An interview with Alexander Downer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia and President of the 2005 Article XIV Conference, recaptures, inter alia, his own personal efforts and the special historic role of Australia regarding the CTBT. The cover story by Ambassador Jaap Ramaker provides new insights into his role in promoting the entry into force of the Treaty as the Special Representative of the Ratifier States. The Eastern European region, the main focus of this issue, is a particularly good example of the continuing and robust support for the Treaty, with all 22 Member States having signed and 19 having ratified it.

The African region, which this issue of CTBTO Spectrum focuses on as an overarching theme, is a particularly good example for the ever increasing numbers of signatures and ratifications: Of those States, who signed and ratified the Treaty in 2004, 75 and 66 percent respectively, were from the African region. Besides looking at the relations between Africa and the CTBT, this issue of CTBTO Spectrum provides an overview of the Commission’s work over the past six months, including an update on the latest session of the Preparatory Commission.

This issue of CTBTO Spectrum focuses on the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) geographical region and the CTBT. It is the first issue in a series which will be covering all six Treaty-defined regions. The LAC region has always played an important role in contributing towards ensuring the entry into force and universality of the CTBT. When the Treaty opened for signature in 1996, 21 LAC States signed it. In the meantime, the number of signatures has increased to 27, with 20 LAC countries having also ratified the CTBT as of 6 December 2004.

This issue of CTBTO Spectrum focuses on the legal aspects of building the verification regime. It sets out to examine the essential role played by facility agreements and other legal arrangements in placing the provisional operation and maintenance of the IMS on a secure legal foundation. An interview with Palitha Kohona, Chief of the Treaty Section of the Office of Legal Affairs at the United Nations in New York, a special feature article by Anthony Aust, former Legal Counsellor of the United Kingdom Foreign Office, and the cover story by Peter Hulsroj, PTS Legal Advisor, give further insights into the unique legal status of the Preparatory Commission and its verification regime.

This issue of CTBTO Spectrum looks at the results of the Article XIV Conference. The cover story by Ambassador Yukio Takasu provides a Member State’s view of the Conference. As an overarching theme, this issue focuses on the benefits of signing the Treaty, both political and those deriving from the potential civil and scientific applications of the verification technologies. An interview with Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and a special feature article by Hein Haak, a Dutch infrasound expert, concentrate on this theme. As usual, we include an overview of the Commission’s work over the past six months, including an update on the latest session of the Preparatory Commission.

This issue of CTBTO Spectrum looks at the ‘mechanisms’ of Conferences on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT, focusing in particular on the upcoming Conference, which will take place in Vienna from 3 to 5 September this year. An interview with Ambassador Tom Grönberg, who is chairing the preparatory process of the 2003 Conference, and a special feature article by the former United Nations Under-Secretary General Jayantha Dhanapala, concentrate on this theme. This issue also provides an overview of the Commission's work over the past six months, including an update on the latest session of the Preparatory Commission. In addition, the cover story by David McCormack, a Canadian seismologist, gives an example of the potential benefits of civil and scientific applications of the CTBT verification technologies.

This first issue gives an overview of the status of the verification regime build-up and, as an overarching theme, it highlights the significant role of the Treaty in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. An interview with Sergei A. Ordzhonikidze, Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament, and a special feature article by Peter Marshall, an expert on seismology, focus on this theme. This issue also provides an update on the latest session of the Preparatory Commission, in addition to regular columns on verification science, the potential civil and scientific applications of the CTBT verification technologies and a column on the PTS staff, which introduces the PTS mission statement.