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Oliver Meier

Policy & Research Director

Oliver Meier is the Policy & Research Director at the ELN. Prior to this, he was a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH). Previously, he was Deputy Head in the International Security Division of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP).  He holds a PhD in political science from the Free University of Berlin and his expertise includes control of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation, Iran’s nuclear program, and European security.

From 2005 to 2013, Dr. Meier was the International Correspondent and Representative of the Arms Control Association and a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy.

He previously served on the staff of Uta Zapf, then a member of the Bundestag’s Foreign Relations Committee and Chairwoman of the Sub-Committee on Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. Prior to working in the Bundestag, he was a Senior Researcher at the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC).

Content by Oliver Meier

Policy brief

Balancing deterrence with assurances: Policy coordination between security partners in the Asia-Pacific

This ELN and APLN policy brief explores the challenges facing Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the UK in their security strategies towards China and North Korea. The paper argues that these security partners must balance deterrence strategies with providing assurances to adversaries.

31 January 2024 | Joel Petersson Ivre, Oliver Meier, Dr Tanya Ogilvie-White and Rishi Paul
Global Security
Commentary

Ok, Doomer! The NEVER Podcast – Nuclear War: What is it good for?

Listen to the second episode of the NEVER podcast – Ok, Doomer! In this episode, we explore nuclear war, the first man-made existential risk. Featuring an introduction to the topic, disarmament versus deterrence, how governments have dealt with issues such as proliferation, and how they should respond to them in future.

23 January 2024 | Jane Kinninmont, Edan Simpson, Rishi Paul, Oliver Meier, Olamide Samuel, Valeriia Hesse and Sahil Shah
Global Security
Commentary

Be careful what you wish for: Russia wants to share nuclear weapons with Belarus

The deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus would increase nuclear risks and undermine key nonproliferation norms, but it would not alter the strategic balance in Europe. For Russia, sharing nuclear weapons with Belarus might well backfire politically. NATO countries should therefore resist the impulse to up the nuclear ante.

6 April 2023 | Katia Glod and Oliver Meier
Euro-Atlantic Security
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