TRUMP BUDGET REQUESTS MASSIVE INCREASE TO NUCLEAR SPENDING If it was not clear already, the Trump administration’s enormous new $740 billion defense budget request makes it crystal clear — they are fully committed to increasing the role of nuclear weapons in our national security policy. While funding for key conventional programs decreases under the request, the National […]

IRAN TENSIONS EASE, FOR NOW (AND THE DEAL IS NOT DEAD, DESPITE WHAT YOU SEE ON THE NEWS) Up until a few days ago, the world was on edge, as tensions between the United States and Iran became dangerously high. Things have cooled slightly, but the underlying challenges remain. And make no mistake, these challenges […]

NORTH KOREA WARNS OF ‘CHRISTMAS GIFT’ AS END-OF-YEAR DEADLINE RAPIDLY APPROACHES North Korea warned in early December that it will give the United States a “Christmas gift” of its own choosing this year, depending on how denuclearization negotiations have gone by North Korea’s own ambiguous, year-end deadline. It’s unclear what this gift could be, though […]

NUCLEAR DIPLOMACY WHEEL SPINNING When it comes to dealing with the proliferation challenges from Iran and North Korea, the Trump Administration continues to spin its wheels. North Korea announced this week that it would reject a reported offer to continue vaguely-framed denuclearization talks with the United States, saying it was not interested in more talks […]

OPEN SKIES TREATY Rumors are circulating that the United States might pull out of the 34-party Open Skies Treaty by the end of the month. This treaty allows all member countries to conduct military observation flights — providing transparency that creates stability in unstable times. As Senior Policy Director Alexandra Bell told Vox, if the […]