What’s News:
Trump makes nuclear mistake on arms control treaty with Russia
Center National Advisory Board Members Ambassador Thomas Graham Jr. and Senator Byron Dorgan published an op-ed in The Hill denouncing President Trump’s decision to “dangerously unsettle” widespread bipartisan support for New START on a recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. To read the op-ed, click here.
Bring Democracy to America’s nuclear weapons
The existing U.S. policy to authorize a nuclear strike needs to change. A bill that would bring much-needed checks and balances to U.S. nuclear weapons policy has been introduced in both Houses of Congress. Read Council executive director John Tierney’s op-ed in The Hill here to know more.
Press Release: Russia’s Missile Violation Requires Leadership from President Trump
Russia’s reported violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty raises serious concerns and should be condemned in the strongest terms. The Trump Administration must respond in an intelligent and measured manner to address any violation while avoiding further escalation and destabilization. To continue reading, click here.
Press Release: President Trump Wrongly Criticizes Treaty that Limits Russian Nukes Aimed at U.S.
President Trump’s criticism of New START ignores essential facts about the benefits of the bilateral treaty, including how the treaty strengthens U.S. national security through verifiable nuclear weapons reductions and increased transparency. To continue reading, click here.
Center experts were quoted in numerous publications following the aforementioned press releases. A list of publications and the articles citing our experts is mentioned below:
Associated Press: US official: Russia deployed missile in violation of treaty
POLITICO: Former Pentagon chief Perry: ‘Tragic mistake’ not to extend arms treaty with Russia
The Hill: Russia deploys cruise missile in violation of arms treaty: report
WJLA: Trump administration’s connection to Russia won’t soon fade away
Foxtrot Alpha: Donald Trump Screwed Up A Big Opportunity To Avoid Nuclear Holocaust
Read:
Putting Missile Defense on Pause
Center Senior Science Fellow Philip E. Coyle discussed missile defense systems and their impact on diplomatic relations between countries with The Cipher Brief. To read Mr. Coyle’s interview, click here.
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between the U.S. and the Former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics requires parties to eliminate nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles that are used at distances ranging from 500 to 5,500 kilometers. To know more about the INF Treaty, read the Center’s factsheet , here.
North Korea’s Launch Tests Missile and President Trump
On Feb. 12, North Korea launched its first ballistic missile test since President Trump took over the Oval Office. The Pukguksong-2 is a solid-fuel ballistic missile, representing a major advancement in North Korean missile technology. To know more about the launch, read Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace fellow Bernadette Stadler’s Nukes of Hazard blog post, here.
In a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump denounced the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) calling it a bad deal. Contrary to Mr. Trump’s views, New START is a strategic arms control agreement that was ratified by the United States Senate with bipartisan support. To read a Nukes of Hazard blog post explaining the significance of the treaty, click here.
The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is pleased to introduce Bernadette Stadler, a Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellow, and Helen Thompson, a policy intern as new additions to our team. To read their bios, click here.
Urge Congress to Prohibit a First-Use Nuclear Strike
The Council has joined with sixteen other progressive organizations to amplify our message to urge Congress to pass the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017. Help us reach our goal. To sign the petition, click here.
Trump or Tillerson’s Nuclear Diplomacy?
Senior Fellow John Isaacs captured Secretary Rex Tillerson’s positions on crucial nuclear weapons issues including his views on significant arms control treaties such as New START, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and the much debated Iran nuclear agreement. To read his piece in The Medium, click here.
Save the Date:
Tune in on Feb. 22 at 6:00 PM EST
Council Executive Director John Tierney will host a virtual town hall on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6 PM EST and analyze President Trump’s nuclear agenda in the first 100 days of his presidency. Join the virtual town hall on Facebook or via the phone. For more details, click here.
Watch:
Video: European Missile Defense Debate
On Feb. 16 Center Senior Science Fellow Philip E. Coyle was a panelist in a debate arguing against U.S. expansion of European missile defenses, calling for a pause in the program that addresses a receding threat and antagonizes Russia. To watch the replay, click here.
Video: Jim Walsh on MSNBC
Council Board Member Jim Walsh comments on the most recent Iranian missile test, the White House’s reaction and possible implications for the Iran nuclear agreement. To watch the video clip, click here.
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