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Updated: Feb 29, 2012

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All CNS nonproliferation content related to North, Central, and South America.

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General

LANL posts 'banner year'
Outside Publications
The Evolution of Economic Coercion: From Sanctions to Targeted Financial Measures [Subscribers Only]
Outside Publications
The Proliferation of WMD in the Modern World: Trends and Straining Regimes
Watch video [ Image: Ambassador James Goodby ]
Video | Seminar
Fifty Years of Arms Control Negotiating Experience
Ambassador James Goodby looks back at some of his experience as negotiator and talks about the lessons he learned during his distinguished career.
Watch video [Image: Ambassador Linton Brooks]
Video | Seminar
The Future of U.S.-Russia Arms Control
Ambassador Linton Brooks discusses the future of U.S.-Russia arms control.
Watch video [Image: Gene Christiansen]
Video | Seminar
U.S. Export Controls
Gene Christiansen Senior Aerospace Engineer Bureau of Industry and Security U.S. Department of Commerce.
Press Release
CNS Experts Comment on White House Announcement Regarding Export Control Reform Efforts [PDF]
President Obama announced steps toward reforming the U.S. export control system, including his intention to establish an Export Enforcement Coordination Center.
View article [Image: Johan Bergenäs] START Follow-On Treaty: Advancing Nuclear Disarmament Beyond U.S., Russia
Alexander Bollfrass and Johan Bergenäs, for World Politics Review.
Feature Story
View story [Image: Obama and Medvedev] START Follow-On Talks Successfully Concluded: What's Next?
Conclusion of the Treaty of Prague is, without doubt, a success, slight delay notwithstanding. Now Obama and Medvedev need to outline the contours of the next treaty — perhaps as early as at the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
View article [Image: Johan Bergenäs] Obama's Empty Threats Weaken U.S.
If Iran continues to break non-proliferation rules, Barack Obama needs international consensus before threatening Tehran again.
View story [Image: Obama and Medvedev sign an agreement.]
OPINION - A View from Moscow
START Follow On Treaty: Deadlines and Deadlocks
Prospects for a new strategic arms control agreement between the United States and Russia may be hampered by domestic politics in both countries.
View story [Image: U.S. President Obama] Obama's Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament Agenda: Building Steam or Losing Traction?
Theodore Kalionzes and Kaegan McGrath, an issue brief for the Nuclear Threat Initiative.
Outside Publication
Obama's Challenging NPT Agenda
The Obama administration is positioning the U.S. to gain concessions at the upcoming NPT review conference.
View story [Image: Obama and Medvedev sign an agreement] Obama's Moscow Visit Highlights Progress and Obstacles in U.S.-Russian Nuclear Relations
Meeting in Moscow July 6-7, U.S. President Obama and Russian President Medvedev agreed on a framework to guide negotiators in striking a new strategic arms agreement.
Analysis of the Strategic Posture Commission's Arguments against U.S. Ratification of the CTBT
As the Commission could not reach consensus on U.S. CTBT ratification, this brief examines the arguments expressed by the treaty's opponents.
Interview
Watch video of Dr William Potter on Russia Today: Only Presidents Can Push START Through VIDEO | Only Presidents Can Push START Through
The absolute key to a successful negotiation is presidential intervention.
Interview
Watch video of Dr William Potter on Russia Today: Obama is Serious About Disarmament VIDEO | Obama is Serious About Disarmament
Obama's upcoming visit to Moscow could likely result in an agreement between Moscow and Washington.
Watch new video on NukeTube VIDEO | The Situation in US Congress & CTBT Ratification
Overview of the present situation in the US Congress and how it affects the chances and approaches to ratifying the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty.
The United States and the CTBT: Renewed Hope or Politics as Usual?
An Issue Brief by Sean Dunlop and Jean du Preez for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).
View story [Chart: US government agencies combating nuclear proliferation] New WMD Coordinator Has the Right Stuff, But Will He Have the Right Staff?
President Obama's new WMD Proliferation/ Terrorism Coordinator will watch over a vast array of activities. But whether he will be given the stature and staff to do the job right remains an open question.
A Feature Story by Anya Loukianova, Leonard Spector
Nuclear Security Spending: Assessing Costs, Examining Priorities
a report by Stephen Schwartz and Deepti Choubey for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
The Costs of U.S. Nuclear Security
an article by Stephen Schwartz for the Los Angeles Times.
Panetta Picked To Head CIA
William Potter was quoted in an article in the Monterey County Herald.
View story [Image: Cover of Occasional Paper #14] Nuclear Challenges and Policy Options for the Next U.S. Administration [PDF]
A new Occasional Paper presents papers by participants of the Monterey Nonproliferation Strategy Group meeting on August 20-21, 2008.
Barack Obama and John McCain on Nuclear Security Issues
Examining the similarities and some important differences in the policies of Obama and McCain.
A CNS Feature Story by Stephen I. Schwartz.
The Iran Counter-Proliferation Act: Potential Implications for Russian-Iranian Relations and U.S.-Russian Nuclear Cooperation
A review of the likely impact of the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, in light of a recent move by the Bush Administration to tighten financial sanctions against Iran.
CNS Feature Story by Anya Loukianova and Nikolai Sokov.
Overcoming Impediments to U.S.-Russian Cooperation on Nuclear Non-Proliferation: Report of a Joint Workshop
A joint product of the U.S. National Academies (of which Dr. William Potter is a member) and the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The Democratic Presidential Candidates on WMD Proliferation and International Security
The 10 Democratic candidates have adjusted their strategy, and they have played up their foreign policy differences with the Bush administration and with each other. Foreign policy issues now look poised to play an important role in the Democratic presidential campaign.
Feature Story by Scott Parrish.
U.S. Efforts to Halt WMD Proliferation: Past Experience, Current Programs, and Future Priorities
Testimony by Clay Moltz
Subcommittees on Europe and on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights of the Committee on International Relations of the U.S. House of Representatives
The Department of Homeland Security: Goals and Challenges
On September 20, 2001, in response to the devastating 9-11 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush proposed the creation of the Office of Homeland Security (OHS), which came into existence on October 8, 2001.
An issue brief by Jennifer Mitchell and Jason Pate for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).
Disarming Iraq by Force: WMD Stakes and Scenarios
While a U.S.-led war to disarm Iraq appears increasingly probable, anticipating the consequences of the coming conflict is not a simple matter. The stakes in the coming clash include a wide range of possible positive and negative consequences.
Feature Story by Michael Barletta.
High Risks, Limited Ability and Unpredictable Consequences
"Three key issues would be involved in successful military strikes against North Korean nuclear facilities."
An op-ed by Phillip C. Saunders for the South China Morning Post.
Sino-U.S. Relations After Crawford
"As Chinese President Jiang Zemin returns home from his Crawford, Texas summit with U.S. President George W. Bush, their third meeting within a year, he must be quite satisfied with what he has been able to achieve."
An op-ed by Jing-dong Yuan for the Korea Herald, October 28, 2002.
Islamist Terrorist Threat in the Tri-Border Region
The tri-border region of South America received little attention as a locus of terrorist activity despite a recent history of Islamist terrorist activity. But this region, which already has a history of mass casualty Islamic terrorism, is also an area of concern.
An issue brief by Jeffrey Fields for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).
Bush's Hawks Circle Over Policy
The recently released US Department of Defence report on China's military power has focused attention on the nation's growing military capabilities and its intentions as a rising power.
An op-ed by Jing-dong Yuan for the South China Morning Post.
The Treaty of Moscow
The U.S.-Russian summit held in Moscow and St. Petersburg on May 24-26, 2002 capped the process of rapprochement between the two states that began in earlier summits in Ljubljana, Genoa, Crawford, and Shanghai, with both aspiring to leave behind the logjams of the Cold War.
An issue brief by Victor Mizin for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).
Japan-U.S. Track II Project
Agendas, papers, and summaries for the First and Second U.S.-Japan Track II Meeting on Arms Control, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Verification Conferences.
Bush-Putin Summit, November 2001
On November 13-15, U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a series of discussions in Washington, D.C. and Crawford, Texas, on a wide range of issues, including U.S.-Russian economic cooperation, Russia's relations with NATO, and the situation in Afghanistan. The most closely watched part of the discussions, however, was the question of strategic arms control. An issue brief by Michael Jasinski for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).
Rebuilding Bilateral Consensus: Assessing U.S.-China Arms Control and Nonproliferation Achievements [PDF format]
A report for the Nonproliferation Review, CNS, Vol. 8.1.
by Evan S. Medeiros.
The Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction: A US Response [PDF format]
A viewpoint for the Nonproliferation Review, CNS, Vol. 6.3.
by Richard G. Lugar.
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Country Overviews

Each Country Overview contains an overview of the country's nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and missile programs, with links to other relevant web sites, and excerpts from the Nuclear and Missile Developments Database and Chemical and Biological Weapons Terrorism ListServ. Top

Chemical/Biological (CBW)

View article [Image: Paul van den IJssel and Hillary Rodham Clinton]
Feature Story
Lucky Number Seven? The 2011 Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference
The BWC Review Conference adopted a forward-looking document containing a number of proposals to strengthen and improve the Convention.
View story [ Image: Dr. Seth Carus ]
Video
Biological Warfare in the American Civil War
Dr. Seth Carus, Director, Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
View article [Image: Jonathan B. Tucker] Addressing the Spectrum of Biological Risks: A Policy Agenda for the United States [PDF]
Jonathan B. Tucker testified on U.S. international biosecurity policies before the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on March 18, 2010.
Chronology of Incidents Involving Ricin
The use of ricin, a deadly toxin derived from the castor bean, marks the second case in three years where someone has sent mail containing a toxic substance to the offices of the country's most senior lawmakers.
Bioterrorism Threat Assessment and Risk Management Workshop [PDF format]
Final Report and Commentary presented to the U.S. Department of Energy on June 24, 2003 by Raymond A. Zilinskas (Rapporteur).
Smallpox: Threat, Vaccine, and U.S. Policy
On December 13, 2002 President Bush announced a multi-phase plan for the vaccination of certain subsets of the U.S. population against smallpox.
Feature Story by Richard Pilch.
Legislative Response to Potential Bioterrorist Threat
On June 12, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the "Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002." The new law seeks to significantly increase America's ability to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to bioterrorism in an efficient and coordinated manner.
Feature Story by Kristin Thompson.
Top

Missile

Missile Defense and Space Policy: 2004 Presidential Candidate Positions
President George W. Bush and the leading Democratic presidential contenders offer differing views on missile defense, the weaponization of space, and space exploration.
CNS Feature Story by Caitlin Baczuk and Rebecca Schauer.
Moonstruck: What's Up with U.S. Space Policy?
The announcement by President George W. Bush at NASA on January 14, 2003, of plans to establish a permanent base on the Moon has stirred the pot in a long-simmering debate over the future course of U.S. space exploration.
CNS Feature Story by James Clay Moltz.
What's Behind U.S. Nonproliferation Sanctions Against Norinco?
The Bush administration's decision to impose a ban on imports from the China North Industries Group (Norinco) and its subsidiaries for transfers of dual-use equipment to a company involved in Iran's ballistic missile program marks a significant shift in the Bush administration's nonproliferation policy.
CNS Feature Story by Phillip Saunders and Stephanie Lieggi.
Russia's Approach to the U.S. Missile Defense Program
Russia considered the ABM Treaty as the cornerstone of strategic stability and one of the most important strategic documents between Moscow and Washington.
An issue brief by Victor Mizin for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).
China's Space Capabilities and the Strategic Logic of Anti-Satellite Weapons
In recent years, some U.S. politicians and analysts have claimed that China's reported efforts to develop anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons pose a direct threat to U.S. space assets (and thus U.S. space dominance).
CNS Feature Story by Phillip Saunders, Jing-dong Yuan, Stephanie Lieggi, and Angela Deters.
Future Space Security
Today, only the United States and Russia have tested space weapons of any sort, but a handful of other countries (including India and China) are believed to be conducting at least initial research into lasers and kinetic kill systems intended for space attack. An issue brief by Dr. Clay Moltz for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).
"START III": An End Or Beginning of Negotiations
"During their meeting on May 23-25, Presidents George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin will sign a new agreement on the reduction of strategic offensive weapons, often referred to -- especially in the Russian press -- as 'START III.'"
Feature Story by Nikolai Sokov.
Space Weapons or Space Arms Control?
Feature Story by James Clay Moltz.
Economics vs. Nonproliferation: U.S. Launch Quota Policy Toward Russia, Ukraine, and China [PDF format]
A report for the Nonproliferation Review, CNS, Vol. 7.3.
by Victor Zaborsky
How a U.S. National Missile Defense will Affect South Asia
"A US decision to deploy a limited NMD will have negative and destabilizing effects in South Asia." An article by Gaurav Kampani.
Canada Should Shun Missile System
"Canadians should be horrified at the prospect that our government might soon enlist as a junior partner in the U.S. National Missile Defense (NMD) project." An Op-Ed by Peter Saracino for the Toronto Star.
Brazil's Accession to the MTCR [PDF format]
A report for the Nonproliferation Review, CNS, Vol. 3.3.
by Clay Bowen.
Ballistic, Cruise Missile, and Missile Defense Systems: Trade and Significant Developments [PDF format]
Nonproliferation Review, CNS, Vol. 3.2.
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Nuclear

Getting to Zero
Nuclear New Math
Audio Podcast
Six Minutes To Doomsday: Assessing the State of the Nuclear Threat
View story [ Image: Stephen Schwartz ]
Video
Building Budgetary Transparency and Accountability for the US Nuclear Weapons Program
Stephen Schwartz, Editor of the The Nonproliferation Review.
Outside Publications
Two treaties. One Congress. No time to wait.
Congress has a chance to take real steps to reduce the risks of nuclear terrorism -- if only they would act.
Outside Publication
Medical Isotope Production: The US Must Follow South Africa's Lead
Miles Pomper and William C. Potter for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Watch video [Image: Miles Pomper]
Video | Interview
President Chavez's Deal to Acquire Russian Nuclear Reactors [In Spanish]
Miles Pomper was interviewed on "Foro Interamericano" on VOA-TV.
View article [Image: Miles Pomper] Stop Holding onto Dangerous Nuclear Material
Congress should ban HEU exports for medical isotopes.
Press Release
CNS Experts Comment on White House Announcement Regarding Export Control Reform Efforts [PDF]
President Obama announced steps toward reforming the U.S. export control system, including his intention to establish an Export Enforcement Coordination Center.
View article [Image: Reducing TNW cover] Reducing and Regulating Tactical (Nonstrategic) Nuclear Weapons in Europe: Moving Forward?
View article [Image: Johan Bergenäs] Obama's Empty Threats Weaken U.S.
If Iran continues to break non-proliferation rules, Barack Obama needs international consensus before threatening Tehran again.
View story [Image: Obama and Medvedev sign an agreement.]
OPINION - A View from Moscow
START Follow On Treaty: Deadlines and Deadlocks
Prospects for a new strategic arms control agreement between the United States and Russia may be hampered by domestic politics in both countries.
U.S. International Nuclear Energy Policy: Change and Continuity
Miles Pomper, a paper for the Centre for International Governance Innovation Nuclear Energy Futures Project.
Breaking the U.S.-Russian Deadlock on Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons
Venezuela's Search for Nuclear Power — or Nuclear Prestige
It appears unlikely that Venezuela's nuclear alliances will result in nuclear proliferation.
Video Seminar
Watch video of Miles Pomper: Prospects for Reducing U.S. and Russian Non Strategic Nuclear Weapons Prospects for Reducing U.S. and Russian Non Strategic Nuclear Weapons
Speaker Miles Pomper, CNS Senior Research Associate
August 25, 2009, Monterey, CA
View story [Image: Obama and Medvedev sign an agreement] Obama's Moscow Visit Highlights Progress and Obstacles in U.S.-Russian Nuclear Relations
Meeting in Moscow July 6-7, U.S. President Obama and Russian President Medvedev agreed on a framework to guide negotiators in striking a new strategic arms agreement.
Issue Brief
View article [Image: Nixon and Brezhnev at SALT Treaty Signing] START Process and Russian Strategic Force Modernization
Washington and Moscow are committed to an agreement that includes verification and additional reductions, but the degree of reductions remains unknown.
Watch new video on NukeTube VIDEO | The Situation in US Congress & CTBT Ratification
Overview of the present situation in the US Congress and how it affects the chances and approaches to ratifying the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty.
Venezuela's Search for Nuclear Power — or Nuclear Prestige
It appears unlikely that Venezuela's nuclear alliances will result in nuclear proliferation.
View new videos on NukeTube New Speaker Video Added to NukeTube
Nuclear Security Spending: Assessing Costs, Examining Priorities
Nuclear Security Spending: Assessing Costs, Examining Priorities
a report by Stephen Schwartz and Deepti Choubey for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
The Costs of U.S. Nuclear Security
an article by Stephen Schwartz for the Los Angeles Times.
U.S. Should Produce Own Isotopes: Expert
William Potter and Cristina Hansell were quoted in an article on Montreal Gazette.
View story [Image: Cover of Occasional Paper #14] Nuclear Challenges and Policy Options for the Next U.S. Administration [PDF]
A new Occasional Paper presents papers by participants of the Monterey Nonproliferation Strategy Group meeting on August 20-21, 2008.
Thomas L. Sanders, The Global Nuclear Future, Realities and Opportunities Video: The Global Nuclear Future, Realities and Opportunities
[44 min, YouTube]
Thomas L. Sanders, Vice President/President Elect of the American Nuclear Society discusses energy future from an American perspective.
[More Videos]
The Costs of U.S. Nuclear Weapons
an Issue Brief by Stephen Schwartz for the Nuclear Threat Initiative.
Congressional Oversight of U.S. Nuclear Weapons
an Issue Brief by Stephen Schwartz for the Nuclear Threat Initiative.
Barack Obama and John McCain on Nuclear Security Issues
Examining the similarities and some important differences in the policies of Obama and McCain.
A CNS Feature Story by Stephen I. Schwartz.
Edging Ever Closer to a Nuclear Death Row
An op-ed by Steve Andreasen and Dennis Gormley for the Star Tribune.
The Second Last Chance: American Power and Nuclear Nonproliferation
An article by William C. Potter for The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Overcoming Impediments to U.S.-Russian Cooperation on Nuclear Non-Proliferation: Report of a Joint Workshop
A joint product of the U.S. National Academies (of which Dr. William Potter is a member) and the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Congressional Debate on Nuclear Weapons Policy: From the Nuclear Brink to the Slippery Slope
While this year's congressional debates touched on major issues affecting U.S. nuclear policy, members of Congress have yet to delve into a debate that really articulates what this policy should be. If such a debate occurred, it would probably not reach consensus.
Feature Story by Charles D. Ferguson.
New Nuclear Weapons?
Will the United States produce newly designed nuclear weapons under the Bush Administration? Over the next couple of years, the answer will likely be "no." Recent activity, however, in Congress and the Administration has raised concern that the prospect of new U.S. nuclear weapons has increased.
Feature Story by Charles D. Ferguson and Peter D. Zimmerman.
U.S. Efforts to Halt WMD Proliferation: Past Experience, Current Programs, and Future Priorities
Testimony by Clay Moltz
Subcommittees on Europe and on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights of the Committee on International Relations of the U.S. House of Representatives
Study Details Steps To Reduce Dirty Bomb Threat
The interest of al Qaeda and other terrorist groups in radiological dispersal devices (RDDs) has caused policymakers to seek new measures to ensure these materials do not fall into the wrong hands.
Feature Story by Charles D. Ferguson.
Cuba's Accession to the NPT: A Step Toward Strengthening the Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime
On September 14, the Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque announced to the United Nations General Assembly that his government will accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and will ratify the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco).
Feature Story by Jean Du Preez.
Plutonium Disposition
The United States and Russia pledged to eliminate excess weapons-grade plutonium in order to prevent its theft or diversion for illegal nuclear programs and to prevent its reincorporation into their weapons programs. Plutonium is of the greatest concern because only 8 kilograms are needed to make a nuclear bomb. An issue brief by Elena Sokova for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).
Renewed U.S. - Russian Controversy Over Nuclear Testing
The uncertainty over the nature of activities at the Novaya Zemlya nuclear test site in northern Russia has frequently been a factor in U.S. government decisions on stockpile stewardship and participation in international treaties. The lack of transparency at the two countries' test sites has contributed to mutual suspicions and calls by some parties in both countries for the resumption of testing.
Feature Story by Michael Jasinski, Cristina Chuen, and Charles Ferguson.
"START III": An End Or Beginning of Negotiations
"During their meeting on May 23-25, Presidents George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin will sign a new agreement on the reduction of strategic offensive weapons, often referred to -- especially in the Russian press -- as 'START III.'"
Feature Story by Nikolai Sokov.
The So-Called Proliferator that Wasn't: The Story of Argentina's Nuclear Policy [PDF format]
An article for the Nonproliferation Review, CNS, Vol. 6.4.
by Julio C. Carasales.
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