Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
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Established by the Council for a Livable World in 1980, The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation (CACNP) is a Washington, D.C. based 501(c)3 non-profit policy organization that seeks the reduction and eventual elimination of nuclear weapons as a significant tool of U.S. national security policy.
The Center covers numerous peace and security issues affected by proliferation of weapons of mass destruction including U.S. non-proliferation programs, national missile defense, failed and post-conflict states and irresponsible defense spending.
The Center provides concise and usable material to Members of Congress and their staff, and provides them with access to policy experts. These materials and expertise views are also available to the media and the public through our website and consultations.
Current topics of interest include the U.S.-India nuclear deal, and the confrontations of Iran and North Korea.
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[edit] Issues
[edit] The US-India nuclear deal
On July 18, 2005 President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared a civil nuclear energy agreement between the two countries in hopes of improving bilateral ties while also meeting India's rising energy demands. The agreement can become effective only if Congress agrees to modifying restrictive laws put in place in response to the Indian nuclear weapons tests in 1974 and 1998, in an effort to prevent transfers of nuclear technology to states outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Following Congressional approval, the Nuclear Suppliers Group must also sign off on the deal. The International Atomic Energy Agency has come out in favor of the proposed agreement.
[edit] Nuclear confrontation with Iran
This past June, the United States joined Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany in an attempt to halt the nuclear ambitions of Iran. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims that his country's nuclear program is only intended for peaceful civilian use, but his statements have done little to mitigate global fears that Iran is pressing for nuclear weapons. The six allies presented Iran with an incentive package to halt its expansion, and Iran has promised to offer a formal reply in early August.
[edit] The North Korean dilemma
On July 5, 2006 the North Korean military surprised the world by test-firing seven missiles, including a Taepodong-2 which reportedly could strike the continental United States. Though the tests were laregely unsuccessful, near universal condemnation rained down on Pyongyang and the government of Kim Jong-Il, including even from traditional allies Russia and China. The U.N. Security Council repsonded with U.N. Resolution 1695 which condemned the tests and called for limited sanctions. The current crisis has renewed calls for the Six-party talks to be rekindled. The recent missile tests also demonstrated the danger a rogue state like North Korea can cause to the rest of the world by being isolated from the international system, and why it must be an important component of U.S. diplomatic efforts in the future.
[edit] See also
- Nuclear Weapons
- Weapons of Mass Destruction
- International Atomic Energy Agency
- Nuclear Suppliers Group
- Chemical Warfare
- Biological Warfare
