An update on arms control, national security & politics from Council for a Livable World and the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.
WHAT’S NEW:
The Council for a Livable World had an action-packed 2014. In our inaugural quarterly newsletter, produced by the talented Council staff, we take a look back on 2014 and a look at what’s to come in 2015. Read the newsletter by downloading here: CLW-CACNP_Winter_Newsletter_Final_121014
Meet Our Newest Team Members
The Council and Center has kicked off the New Year with a few new additions to our already stellar team. Meet our very first Communications Intern, Megan, and our newest Policy Intern, Aman, on our blog! And get to know Sarah Tully, one of our fall Policy Interns who recently joined the staff as a Research and Policy Associate. Finally, Cain Farmer is our latest addition, having joined last week as our new Accountant and Administrator.
New Congress, New Iran Sanctions Bill: Sign Our Petition!
Senators Kirk and Menendez have wasted no time in the new Congress preparing new sanctions legislation that could scuttle talks to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. A hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday and a vote on the new legislation is expected as early as Thursday. Tell Congress to give diplomacy the time and space it needs to succeed by adding your name to our new petition!
READ:
The Lose-Lose-Lose of Ending Talks
Roll Call recently published an op-ed by Council Advisory Board Member and Air Force Colonel Richard Klass (ret.) that clearly makes the point that now is simply not the time for new Iran sanctions. But Col. Klass goes further, exploring the consequences that would result from bringing these talks to a fatal end: a nuclear-armed Iran, military conflict in a volatile region, and a tarnished standing among our international partners. Read the Colonel’s piece here. [1/9]
In a recent article in the Washington Post, author Walter Pincus points to an ongoing dilemma in U.S. defense budgeting: In which defense programs do we devote our limited resources? He says we are trying to fund both a “hot” and a “cold” war, but: “These days, terrorists are the first threat, and not a single one will be deterred by a nuclear warhead.” If only our budgeting policies could reflect Pincus’ logic. On the Center blog, Scoville Fellow Greg Terryn reflects on how trying to do it all is spreading our limited resources dangerously thin. [1/14]
Low-Balling on Non-Proliferation
What do the Washington Monument, Prague, and nuclear weapons have in common? Senior Fellow John Isaacs explains on the Council blog. [1/7]
Recognition is Not Endorsement
On December 17, President Obama announced that the US would re-establish normal diplomatic relations with Cuba. Our Center Board Chair Lt. Gen. Robert Gard, who has over three decades of military experience, provides his take for the Huffington Post blog: “Establishing formal diplomatic relations and increasing contacts between our two countries is more likely in the long run to liberalize the Cuban government.” [1/13]
FROM OUR RESEARCH CENTER:
Hardliners in Congress have floated the idea that Iran is deliberately stalling the negotiations on their nuclear capabilities—without any real intent to seal a deal—in order to reap the benefits of sanctions relief. But in the grander scheme of things, this relief has been minimal, and makes no mention of the losses from which the Iranian economy has suffered. In her latest analysis, Laicie Heeley underscores the follies of this argument and makes the case for giving the negotiations time to reach a suitable solution—without further sanctions. [1/13]
Non-Proliferation Spending Down over $300 Million
Unfortunately, the US will spend significantly less this year on programs that help stop the spread of nuclear weapons. We mapped out how nuclear security fared in the 1,600-page Cromnibus bill. Read the excellent analysis on the Center site by Scoville Fellow Greg Terryn and Angela Canterbury, or stick with a brief analysis on our blog. [1/14]
BE SOCIAL:
Supporting Diplomacy on Social Media
With a diplomacy-threatening Iran sanctions bill back on the table in Congress, we’re ramping up our efforts on social media to engage the media, key supporters, and staffers on Capitol Hill on this issue. Helping us to spread this message on Twitter and Facebook can go a long way. Thanks for your help!
