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The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is the Council’s affiliated 501(c)(3) research organization. |
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WORKING WITH TRUMP FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on Monday. In his first week in office, he has given many contradictory statements about his aims on national security and foreign policy. For example, while addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 23, Trump said that he wants to hold talks with Russia and China about reducing nuclear weapon stockpiles. A productive outcome would be welcome; however, key administration and Congressional officials are at the same time planning to expand the U.S. nuclear force. He has also signed myriad executive orders highlighting his priorities over the next four years. It is clear that immigration will be a major theme as he plans to deploy the U.S. military to bolster border enforcement. There are opportunities for the Trump administration to make headway on nuclear policy, especially in the international arena, and we stand ready to support productive decisions and oppose counterproductive ones. We hope to work with the Trump administration and Congress to look at the cost-effectiveness of nuclear modernization, reinforce alliances, hold the Pentagon accountable for costly and unnecessary weapons programs, and stop funding unnecessary missile defense systems, among other goals. Further, Senior Policy Director John Erath describes in his latest post on the Center’s Nukes of Hazard blog three ways the new administration can make headway toward a safer world while remaining consistent both with an “America First” security policy and with policies followed in the previous Trump administration.
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TRUMP SAYS HE’S PRIORITIZING END TO RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR, SEEKS MORE NATO DEFENSE SPENDING Both in his campaign and in the weeks leading up to his inauguration, President Donald Trump has said that ending the war in Ukraine is a priority. In his first week in office, Trump appeared to be making his first overtures to bring Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table, threatening steep tariffs and sanctions on Russia if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not move to end the war as well as stating that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told him he was ready to make a deal. Trump also made the call for NATO members to raise defense spending to five percent from the current two percent goal. His proposal has been met with mixed reactions across NATO, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz deriding its costliness but Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz calling it an “important wake-up call” for NATO and Europe. |
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IRAN SIGNALS OPENNESS TO NEW NUCLEAR DEAL Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s vice-president for strategic affairs, spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22. Zarif appeared to signal Iran’s openness to negotiating over its nuclear program with President Donald Trump as well as attempted to tamp down concerns over Iran’s accelerating uranium enrichment, stating, “If we wanted to build a nuclear weapon we could have done so a long time ago.” We have heard such talk before. Proof will be in action. |
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INDIA, PAKISTAN MAINTAIN ANNUAL EXCHANGE On January 1, India and Pakistan exchanged their annual lists of nuclear facilities and installations under a 1988 bilateral agreement intended to reduce nuclear risks. This routine exchange, conducted for the 33rd consecutive year, demonstrated both sides’ commitment to basic confidence-building measures amid ongoing tensions. Also in early January, reports surfaced that India plans to deploy its new Pralay tactical ballistic missile proximate to its borders with China and Pakistan, and that it will debut the missile at India’s Republic Day Parade later this month. Meanwhile, in the waning days of the Biden administration, the United States agreed to end restrictions on several Indian nuclear entities, paving the way for deeper collaboration on civil nuclear technology. The move reflects the growing U.S.-India strategic partnership and will be inherited by the new U.S. administration. |
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CHINA SAYS U.S. IS ‘FORCING’ THEM TO EXPAND NUCLEAR ARSENAL On January 10, Chinese officials responded sharply to a U.S. warning about China’s growing nuclear arsenal, stating that Beijing would not accept attempts by Washington to interfere in its strategic modernization efforts. Days later, a senior U.S. official emphasized the need for the U.S. to “out-think” both Russia and China in the nuclear weapons domain, specifically citing China’s rapid development of advanced nuclear capabilities and its impact on global stability. |
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NORTH KOREA CONDUCTS MISSILE LAUNCH AFTER VOWING TO EXPAND ARSENAL On January 5, North Korea conducted its first missile launch of the year, firing a short-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan. The launch followed statements from Kim Jong Un vowing to expand North Korea’s nuclear arsenal in response to perceived U.S. and South Korean aggression. On January 8, U.S. intelligence warned that North Korea is increasingly prepared for warfighting because of its enhanced military cooperation with Russia and deployment of thousands of troops to the frontlines of Ukraine. These assessments come as Russia and North Korea deepen their strategic partnership and fuel concerns about the potential for increased proliferation and mutual support in defiance of international norms. Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, South Korean officials sharply criticized his remarks implying that the U.S. recognizes North Korea as a nuclear power, with South Korean officials reiterating the need to pursue denuclearization of the Peninsula. Pyongyang, for its part, dismissed the remarks in its limited domestic coverage of Trump’s inauguration and accused Washington of historical atrocities dating back to the Korean War. |
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BUDGET RECONCILIATION AND MILITARY SPENDING In the coming months, Republicans in Congress are focused on a somewhat quirky congressional procedure often used by the majority party when it has unified control: reconciliation. In short, this process allows the majority to circumvent the Senate’s filibuster rule. It was used by Democrats for the Affordable Care Act, American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act. Republicans most recently used it in 2017 to pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Reconciliation bills must affect the federal budget and only one can be passed with each budget resolution. Republicans may use reconciliation to extend tax cuts for wealthy Americans but also may include increased military spending as part of their approach. Speaker Mike Johnson favors moving a single reconciliation bill while Senate Majority Leader John Thune favors two bills. |
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COUNCIL CO-HOSTS SUCCESSFUL RECEPTION FOR NEW MEMBERS Last week, Council for a Livable World co-hosted a new member reception with our partners at J Street and Foreign Policy for America. The event, titled “Diplomacy First,” was an opportunity to celebrate new Members of Congress endorsed by the Council and our partner organizations. We also celebrated incumbents who are champions on Council issues. More than 20 Members of Congress from the House and Senate attended the event and heard from Executive Director John Tierney and Political Director Connor Murray and offered their own words of wisdom. The overarching theme of all comments was that we face an uphill battle, but our work is more important now than ever. |
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TRUMP CABINET PICKS MOVE THROUGH SENATE President Trump’s nominees have begun their hearings in the Senate and some have already been confirmed. So far, there is focus on national security nominees including Secretaries of Defense and State as well as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and Ambassador to the United Nations. Former Senator Marco Rubio was the first nominee confirmed, by a unanimous vote, and has already begun his duties as Secretary of State. Former Fox News host and combat veteran Pete Hegseth was confirmed as Secretary of Defense late Friday night after Vice President J.D. Vance offered the tie-breaking vote; three Republican Senators along with all Democratic Senators voted against his confirmation. |
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COUNCIL ENDORSEES ON NATIONAL SECURITY COMMITTEES The House of Representatives and Senate announced committee assignments recently and members we endorsed in 2024 feature on a number of those committees. Below is a brief overview: House Armed Services Committee
Senate Armed Services Committee
House Foreign Affairs Committee
Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee
Additional members whom Council for a Livable World has supported in the past also serve on these relevant committees and we look forward to working with all members on policies affecting our issues of focus in the 119th Congress. |
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NEW ON THE NUKES OF HAZARD BLOG: LESSONS FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND THE BALTICS The Center’s Nukes of Hazard blog series, Next Up in Arms Control, features ideas from new, young or otherwise unheard voices hoping to make a difference in arms control and national security.
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CONSIDER BECOMING A MONTHLY DONOR As election season continues, the Council is also hard at work on its advocacy on Capitol Hill. Have you considered making a monthly donation to support our efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear threats through political action? You can donate as little as $1 a month. Become a monthly supporter today! |
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