An update on arms control, national security, and politics from Council for a Livable World and the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.
WHAT’S NEWS:
Our World Just Became a Little More Livable
In the days leading up to the September 17 deadline to seal the Iran nuclear agreement, Senate Republicans grew desperate to scuttle diplomacy. Thanks to our letter to Senate Democratic Caucus and calls and emails from thousands of our supporters, Senate Democrats chose to defend the agreement and ultimately rejected Mitch McConnell’s political games. After four votes and a lot of wasted time spent not legislating, the self-imposed review period for Congress finally came to a close. Read our statement on this truly historic victory to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.
We applaud and thank every member of Congress who stood on the right side of history and supported diplomacy. We also thank each and every one of YOU, our engaged and active supporters, who have been integral in helping us make history.
Introducing: Newly Endorsed Senate Candidates!
Fall has officially arrived, and with it, new candidates running for Senate in 2016. In Arizona, we’ve endorsed Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, who will challenge war hawk Sen. John McCain. In Illinois, we’re backing Purple Heart veteran Rep. Tammy Duckworth against the ultra-conservative Iran deal opponent Sen. Mark Kirk. We also are proud to once again support Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the highest ranking woman in the Senate. Read more about these trailblazing women on our website and find out how you can help send them to the Senate.
We’re Hiring!
The Council and Center are thrilled to announce two new openings on our staff. We are looking to hire a Development Associate and an Operations Associate to join our growing team here in Washington, DC. Please help us to share these exciting opportunities widely! For more information on how to apply,please visit our website.
Ask Iranian President Rouhani a Question
I am traveling to New York City this weekend to attend a special reception and meeting with Dr. Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss the future for continuing to reduce the threats of war and nuclear weapons. The event will be “on the record,” and we’d like to know what our members and supporters would ask Iranian President Rouhani. Will you help us out? Submit your question to us by filling out this simple form.
Read:
A Good Deal, and Now What?
Don’t be fooled into thinking the battle for a good Iran deal is over. In an op-ed for The National Interest, Center Vice Chair Col. Richard Klass argues that there is much yet to be done to ensure the implementation and long-term success of this very good agreement. Read his piece here.
A Disturbing Blast from the Past
This week, the Los Alamos National Lab made a shocking recommendation for renewed testing of nuclear weapons. In this letter to the White House, the Center joined the arms control community in condemning the absurdity of these comments and urging that nuclear testing end for good. Read the letter here.
Iran Deal: How Did We Get Here?
After two years of long nights, extended deadlines, small victories, congressional grandstanding, and fiery debates, getting to “Yes” on the Iran nuclear agreement was nothing short of dramatic. Senior Fellow John Isaacs takes a look back at the long and winding road that ultimately brought us here. Read his take on our website.
Zombie Blimps
In April, you might recall the Postal worker who flew a one-seater drone into the Capitol Building. What you might not know is that the Pentagon’s $2.7 billion radar-equipped “JLENS” blimps are designed to detect such incoming aircraft, but they remain non-operational. Center Board Member Phil Coyle raises skepticism that these blimps deserve continued taxpayer funding in a recent LA Times article. Read it on our website.
The Limits of Sanctions
The Russian arms exporting giant “Rosoboronexport” once again finds itself on the State Department’s list of sanctioned entities. But, are sanctions really the most effective way of dealing with this bad actor?Read our take from intern Doug Tomlinson on the Nukes of Hazard blog.
Shut Up or Shutdown
With October 1 looming and the prospects of a government shutdown growing near, Research and Policy Associate Sarah Tully provides a post-recess reminder of where Congress is with the National Defense Authorization Act, Defense Appropriations, and a stop-gap continuing resolution. Read her refresher on our blog.
Putting the “UK” in “NUKES”
Last September, the United Kingdom’s Trident nuclear submarines nearly washed away in the tide of the Scottish independence movement. One year later, where do the subs and the future of the United Kingdom’s nuclear weapons stand? Find out in a recent piece from our intern Iris Hsu on the Nukes of Hazard Blog.
Be Social:
Earning the Pope’s Praise
On Friday, September 25, Pope Francis became the first pope to open the United Nations General Assembly with a lengthy and inspiring address. Pope Francis offered his praise to the Iran nuclear agreement as well as calling for a world free of nuclear weapons. We made two graphics to thank the Pope for his wise words. Help us share widely by clicking the image to Tweet!
Fiddling While Rome Burns
We thought you might appreciate this graphic we produced in the midst of Senate Majority Leader McConnell’s grandstanding in an effort to block the Iran nuclear agreement. Instead of preventing a government shutdown, he and his Republican colleagues were too busy playing games with our national security. Tweet us here.
