Friday we sent you an email about an opportunity to benefit the Council, meet our military expert Lt. Gen. Robert Gard and network with like-minded progressives from across the country by attending The Nation Cruise this September 26 through October 3….

Distinguished Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Chairman, Lieutenant General Robert Gard, has been invited to speak about New START and nuclear weapons issues on Nation Magazine’s annual cruise this fall.  The trip is an opportunity for progressive advocates from across the country to come together and discuss current political issues such as the significance of arms control and the elimination of nuclear weapons.

As co-sponsors of the event, Council for a Livable World, the Center’s sister organization, would like to extend an invitation for you to join General Gard on the cruise and participate in these important discussions.

Click here to visit their website and learn more about the Nation Cruise.

The cruise will take place September 26 – October 3, 2010, traveling from New York to Bermuda. Other guest speakers participating in the cruise include Amy Goodman, Host of Democracy Now!; Jim Hightower, Radio commentator, writer and author; Judy Collins, Special musical guest and author; as well as many of the magazine’s journalists and editors.

This is your chance to join some of the country’s greatest advocates for progressive causes in lively discussions about nuclear issues and many other important topics.

Proceeds from the bookings will also benefit Council for a Livable World.  Book your ticket today!

We hope that you will participate in this unique opportunity to meet other progressives from across the nation and discuss their vision for a more livable world.  Please contact Amber Cruz at acruz@clw.org or 202-543-4100 x2101 if you are interested in learning more about the cruise or want information on how to book your ticket.

Tuesday evening, Senator Michael Bennet (D) won a primary victory over his opponent, former state senate president Andrew Romanoff.  Bennett, who was endorsed by Council for a Livable World, now faces a tough race against Republican Tea Party ca…

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has re-scheduled the vote for the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty for mid-September. This schedule means that the Committee believes it is time to move from hearings and questions to decisions this fall.

New START requires modest reductions in the deployed strategic nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia and restores an essential means of monitoring and verifying each side’s nuclear forces that has been absent since the START I treaty expired on December 5, 2009.

Although we believe that the Senate will give their advice and consent to the treaty by an overwhelmingly margin, the treaty still remains in limbo. As of today, it’s been 241 days and counting since START I expired and with it our on-site monitoring and verification presence in Russia.

It is important to review the treaty before voting. However, raising questions and concerns, while part of the process, should not be used as an excuse to delay the treaty indefinitely.

Continue to call or write your Senators and urge them to support this treaty!

Yesterday, Howard Berman and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of the House Foreign Affairs Committee released the following statement announcing the initiation of a bipartisan Working Group on Iran Sanction Implementation:

Today we are initiating a working group that will help ensure that U.S. and international sanctions on Iran are fully implemented, effectively enforced and, ultimately, have the intended effect of bringing about Iran’s termination of all activities contributing to its pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability.

The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010, which was signed into law by President Obama on July 1, has already had a significant impact on Iran’s access to international markets and its ability to acquire refined petroleum.

We will continue to pressure and isolate Iran until it terminates its illicit nuclear weapons activities.  A nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable.

“The group will meet on a regular basis with Administration officials, foreign ambassadors, and outside experts to oversee and verify enforcement of Iran sanctions implementation” —- which is pretty ambiguous, but there’s nothing like leaving for recess on a strong note, right?