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 NEWS:
After last week’s State of the Union Address, the Council issued the following statement to thank President Obama for his pledge to veto harmful and unnecessary sanctions legislation from Congress that could derail the nuclear negotiations with Iran. Read the press release. [1/20]
Say No to an “Inflated” Nuclear Budget
Allied organization Global Zero is launching its “No $1 Trillion Nuclear Arsenal” tour today with a rally outside of the White House, complete with—you guessed it—a four-story inflatable nuclear missile. If you’re in the DC area, we’d love to see you there! RSVP at www.globalzero.org/tour-stop-dc. And be sure to follow us on Twitter as we cover the event.
“Nothing Could Be Further From the Truth”
In an article printed in the Rapid City Journal last week, the Council was wrongfully accused by South Dakota Senator John Thune of being “very anti-bomber, anti-military, period.” Council National Advisory Board Member and former Brigadier General John H. Johns responded with a letter to the editor in order to set the record straight.
The president’s veto threat didn’t stop Congress from continuing to consider a draft bill that would endanger talks. So, the Center and Council sent a letter with an analysis of the bill (then in draft form) to senators considering congressional action. Read the full letter on our website. [1/26]
The good news is, however, that pressure from President Obama, our international partners, and our coalition of advocacy groups seems to have made a difference—at least for now. The major backers of sanctions legislation have agreed to delay bringing the bill to the Senate floor until March, and Senators Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Murphy (D-Conn.) introduced a resolution that backs, instead of undermines, nuclear diplomacy. Read our press release in support of this resolution and our post by Executive Director Angela Canterbury and Communications Associate Amanda Waldron for some insight into this good news. [1/28]
READ:
President Obama’s State of the Union Address was received by most with tremendous praise—except, perhaps, by anyone with a realistic view of the wars in the Middle East that the president vowed to prolong in his speech. On the Huffington Post blog, Council Board Member Matthew Hoh gives a sad-but-true take on what we can expect from these devastating conflicts.
FROM OUR RESEARCH CENTER:
Ashton Carter, the soon-to-be-confirmed Secretary of Defense, has a history of buddying up to the defense industry, and of being critical of exorbitant nuclear weapons spending. Which of Carter’s past philosophies will prevail? Research and Policy Associate Sarah Tully discusses Carter’s varied record in her latest piece on the blog.
5 Myths About America’s Nuclear Weapons Debunked
From “they just don’t cost that much” to “our national security depends on them,” we at the Council for a Livable World have heard just about every myth about America’s nuclear weapons. Our Center Board Chair General Robert G. Gard, Center Board Member Phil Coyle, Senior Fellow John Isaacs, and Scoville Fellow Greg Terryn debunk common myths in an article published in the National Interest. Read here!
News Flash: Nuclear Weapons Still Expensive
Scoville Fellow Greg Terryn dives into a recent Congressional Budget Office report to debunk the myth that nuclear weapons are inexpensive. (They really are!) Read his numbers breakdown on our blog. [1/27]
Former Nuclear Lab Employee Tells All
Last week, Scoville Fellow Greg Terryn had the opportunity for a one-on-one with non-proliferation expert Dr. James Doyle. On our blog, Greg showcases Doyle’s work and his commitment to reducing the dangers of U.S. nuclear weapons. Read Greg’s piece on our blog. [1/26]
Ed Levine Hard At Work
Throughout the nuclear negotiations with Iran, Dr. Edward Levine, Center Board Member and a former senior staffer of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has provided invaluable analysis to all within the community working to protect diplomacy from congressional action. In a press call this week, Ed aptly said “when you are in the midst of a negotiation, you don’t want to take up legislation that the other side, and indeed your allies, would see as undermining the negotiation.”
Advocates of nuclear weapons often assert that the U.S. nuclear stockpile is comprised of about 1,500 warheads. In reality, our inventory is several times that figure. Check out the factsheet on our site and on the Nukes of Hazard Blog. [1/23]
BE SOCIAL:
Share our Work!
With all that’s happened over the past few weeks, we’ve been as busy as ever on social media. Be sure to stop by our Facebook page to get a look at a few new infographics we’ve produced, and don’t forget to share them widely on Twitter or by email. We rely on members like you to share our work!
