Rapid scientific and technological advancements may change the verification landscape of the future. Only few arms control treaties with formal verification regimes remain in place. Still, producing collective knowledge on activities that could destabilize peace and security remains crucial. Verification knowledge needs to be reliable and internationally accessible. New technologies can help improve existing verification regimes — e.g. by enabling precise measurements where this was previously impossible — but they also present novel challenges of their own.
The CNTR Monitor 2026 therefore addresses the focus topic of “Verification in an Era of Rapid Technological Change”. It takes a comprehensive look at emerging technologies and their implications for global security.
Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum sensing, and data fusion have the potential to enhance verification across the board. Existing regimes could be strengthened by novel particle probes in nuclear verification, and genetic engineering attribution in the biological field. Satellite autonomy poses new verification challenges, while cyberspace regulation can draw important lessons from traditional arms control. Systems for implementation review can help improve compliance, whereas involving civil society actors in verification efforts offers benefits by informing the public and combatting disinformation.
By analyzing these selected technologies alongside political shifts, the CNTR Monitor 2026 sheds light on the dynamics that shape verification in the new security environment and offers perspectives for future negotiations on new arms control regimes or updates to existing ones. In the Trends section, the Monitor discusses current technology trends such as the role of AI in international security, drones, mirror life, and technology preferences of different states.
The CNTR Monitor is an open access publication and is available in English.
The editors and authors will present the CNTR Monitor 2026 at an online launch event on November 5, 2026, 14:00–15:30 CET (8:00–9:30 AM EST). They will introduce the report's key findings and discuss how technological change can be harnessed for — rather than against — effective verification. Participation is free; registration is required to receive the log-in details.
