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Malcolm M Craig

Lecturer in History, Liverpool John Moores University

BA (Hons) in History and Sociology, Glasgow Caledonian University, 1998. Masters by Research in History, Victoria University of Wellington, 2010. PhD in History, University of Edinburgh, 2014.

Broadly, my main research interests lie in US and UK foreign policy in the post-1945 period, with a particular focus on nuclear weapons and secret intelligence. In a recent article, I argued that – contrary to what we might believe to be the case – US nuclear non-proliferation policy in the 1970s and early 1980s was seldom influenced by fear of the so-called ‘Islamic bomb’. This was the idea that if one Muslim nation (for example, Pakistan) developed nuclear weapons, they would automatically share it with other Muslim nations because of the bonds of faith. Through my research, I’ve managed to demonstrate that such notions were set aside by US presidents and senior foreign policy makers.

This kind of stuff has a direct impact on the world around us. The idea of the ‘Islamic bomb’ still infects media reporting on the nuclear activities of Iran and Pakistan. Yet, it’s always been something of a myth. So why does it persist? That’s what my current research focuses on, looking at how the ‘Islamic bomb’ idea (or meme, if you prefer) evolved during the 1980s, the 1990s, and into the 2000s.

I've also researched and published on issues of official secrecy and the media. In particular, I examined the efforts of the Thatcher government to suppress or censor BBC programming about the secret intelligence services in the early 1980s.

Global Geopolitics Series

Where did the idea of an 'Islamic bomb' come from?

Feb 09, 2017 14:06 pm UTC| Insights & Views

The heavily freighted idea of an Islamic bomb has been around for some decades now. The notion behind it is that a nuclear weapon developed by an Islamic nation would automatically become the Islamic worlds shared property...

Trump's US could give up the fight to stop nuclear arms from spreading

Nov 16, 2016 23:27 pm UTC| Insights & Views

With a few notable exceptions, Democratic and Republican presidents alike have generally tried to restrain if not reverse nuclear proliferation since nuclear weapons came into existence. But in the era of Donald Trump,...

Economy

BCA Research Warns Iran and Ukraine Ceasefires May Offer Limited Relief for Global Markets

BCA Research analysts have cautioned that potential ceasefires in both Iran and Ukraine may provide only temporary support for global financial markets, as investors could be underestimating ongoing geopolitical risks and...

Rising Airfares May Challenge Cruise Industry Growth Ahead of 2027 Booking Season

The cruise industry could face increasing pressure in 2027 if high airfare prices continue to climb, according to a recent Deutsche Bank research report. The study highlights how rising airline ticket costs are already...

Brazil Extends Fuel Subsidies and Tax Relief Measures Through July 2026 Amid Global Oil Market Volatility

Brazils government has announced a two-month extension of its fuel subsidy and tax relief measures, ensuring that support programs remain in place until July 31, 2026. The decision aims to protect consumers and businesses...

Kevin Warsh Faces Early Fed Test as Inflation Risks Challenge Rate-Cut Expectations

Bank of America (BofA) analysts believe incoming Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh could face a difficult policy environment as rising inflation and economic uncertainty complicate the outlook for U.S. interest rates....

US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns

The United States has initiated a new trade investigation into Vietnams handling of intellectual property (IP) rights, a move that could eventually lead to additional tariffs on Vietnamese imports. The investigation,...

Politics

Trump to Launch America 250 Celebration Amid Concert Cancellations

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to headline the opening ceremony of a major event celebrating Americas 250th anniversary after several scheduled musical performers withdrew from the program, according to reports. The...

US Plans Faster Military Drawdown in Europe, NATO Allies Face Greater Defense Role

The United States is reportedly preparing to accelerate the reduction of its military presence across Europe, signaling a major shift in NATO defense strategy. According to a report published by Germanys Welt am Sonntag,...

US to Accelerate Troop Withdrawal from Europe, NATO Allies to Review Plans Next Month

The United States is reportedly preparing to speed up the withdrawal of its military personnel from bases across Europe, according to a report published by Germanys Welt am Sonntag. The newspaper cited an unnamed Pentagon...

Trump Adviser’s Investment in Thrive Capital Draws Scrutiny Over Federal Contracts

A senior adviser in President Donald Trumps administration is facing scrutiny after a report revealed his involvement in government contract matters connected to companies backed by a venture capital firm in which he held...

US Southern Command Chief Holds Rare Military Meeting With Cuban Officials at Guantanamo Bay

A rare high-level military meeting between the United States and Cuba took place at the perimeter of the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, marking a significant development in U.S.-Cuba relations amid growing...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

NASA Artemis II: First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Takes Four Astronauts on 10-Day Lunar Journey

NASAs Artemis II mission launched Wednesday, marking humanitys return to crewed lunar exploration for the first time since the Apollo era. Carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, this historic 10-day mission...

Technology

Nvidia and Microsoft to Launch AI-Powered Windows PCs at Computex 2026

Nvidia and Microsoft are reportedly preparing to introduce a new generation of Windows PCs powered by Nvidia-designed processors, marking a significant step in the evolution of AI-enabled personal computing. According to...

SoftBank to Invest €75 Billion in France AI Data Center Expansion by 2031

SoftBank Group (TYO: 9984) has announced plans to invest up to 75 billion ($87.5 billion) in France to develop and operate 5 gigawatts (GW) of artificial intelligence data center capacity, marking one of the largest AI...

Kentucky School District Secures $27 Million in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Settlements

A Kentucky school district has secured nearly $27 million in settlements from major social media companies over allegations that their platforms contributed to a growing student mental health crisis. The financial details,...

MongoDB Q1 FY2027 Earnings Beat Expectations, Raises Full-Year Outlook

MongoDB (NASDAQ: MDB) delivered stronger-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, fueled by growing demand for its database platform among enterprises and organizations developing artificial intelligence...

SpaceX IPO Could Become Largest in History with $1.8 Trillion Valuation Target

Elon Musks SpaceX is reportedly moving forward with plans for a historic initial public offering (IPO), targeting a valuation of at least $1.8 trillion. According to a Bloomberg News report citing sources familiar with the...