Senior Policy Director
(202) 546-0795 x 2502
jerath@armscontrolcenter.org
John Erath is the Senior Policy Director for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, overseeing the policy team and guiding work on issues including Iran, Russia, North Korea, China, U.S. domestic nuclear policy and more. This follows 30 years of government service, much of it in arms control and non-proliferation.
Most recently, he completed a two-year assignment on the U.S. National Security Council, where he was responsible for European issues. In this capacity, he focused on cooperation with NATO and the European Union, as well as heading White House efforts to improve stability in the Balkans. He began his diplomatic career in the 1990s working in what was then Yugoslavia. He was later seconded to the OSCE in Kosovo and the Office of the High Representative in Sarajevo. Subsequently, he covered the Balkans at the U.S. Mission to NATO and for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
In Washington, Erath also focused on arms control and non-proliferation, having worked on the delegation for adaptation of the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty and led the U.S. Delegation to the Wassenaar Arrangement General Working Group. He has also held diplomatic positions in India and Brazil. Until 2018, he headed the political-military affairs office at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara.
Erath is a graduate of Georgetown University and has a master’s degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College in Washington. He is the author of several award winning articles on military history and three plays. He is married and has two children.
Recent Analysis from John Erath
- Statement On the Expiration of the Last Treaty Restricting the World’s Two Largest Nuclear Arsenals (New START) February 4, 2026
- The world’s last nuclear safeguard expires TODAY. No backup plan is in place… and experts have a dire warning for humanity February 4, 2026
- Canada has no nuclear weapons. After Trump’s Greenland threats, should it? February 4, 2026
- Russia claims US ‘ignored’ offers to extend nuclear arms control agreement as key treaty set to expire February 4, 2026
- How Not To End A War January 7, 2026
- The New START Treaty is expiring. Where does that leave Europe’s nuclear arsenal? January 5, 2026
- “The war in Ukraine demonstrated that nuclear weapons have no military use.” November 22, 2025
- Experts: Full nuclear weapons tests would backfire on US November 5, 2025
- Will Trump actually test nuclear weapons? Experts are ‘disturbed’ and urge clarification October 30, 2025
- Hope is Not a Strategy September 30, 2025
