Gossip Column - PIR Center

Gossip Column

Ambassador Roland M. Timerbaev was one of the authors of the NPT and founders of the international nuclear nonproliferation regime, a Soviet and Russian Ambassador, and our colleague at PIR Center for many years (1994–2010). He often became bored and restless at major international conferences because he did not like to listen to the platitudes that were often repeated there and was very happy to have coffee breaks. It was live communication with real people — exactly what he really valued — and the opportunity to learn the latest news, as well as unconfirmed information and “expert gossip” in the corridors, on the sidelines, over coffee… Ambassador Timerbaev would joyfully say at such moments: “Well, now is the time for some good gossip”.

Hence the title of this column. PIR Center is not responsible for the accuracy of what our employees and authors heard in the corridors and on the margins of the conferences and told us without reference to the source. Although we know what these sources are.

We’ve heard that New Zealand may officially join AUKUS Pillar 2 within the next three to four months…

We’ve heard that New Zealand may officially join AUKUS Pillar 2 within the next three to four months. Pillar 2 concerns cooperation among the state-parties in the field of advanced military technologies. This includes artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber technologies, quantum developments, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities, as well as electronic warfare.