Resetting U.S.-Russian Leadership on Nuclear Arms Reduction and Non-proliferation

The first order of U.S.-Russian business in 2010 is to conclude the follow-on agreement to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expired last December. Aside from completing that treaty, negotiating further cuts in the two countries’ nuclear arsenals, combating the proliferation of nuclear weapons and managing the growing interest in civil nuclear energy with its attendant proliferation risks pose key challenges for Washington and Moscow. However, they also create opportunities for the United States and Russia to deepen their bilateral cooperation and jointly take a global leadership role in shaping a safer and more secure world.

On January 25, the Arms Control Initiative at Brookings hosted a discussion featuring Brookings President Strobe Talbott and Senior Fellows Steven Pifer and Clifford Gaddy exploring how the United States and Russia can work together to meet these challenges. Fiona Hill, director of the Center on the United States and Europe, moderated the discussion. The event also marked the release of the new Brookings Arms Control Series paper, “Resetting U.S.-Russian Leadership on Nuclear Arms Reductions and Non-Proliferation.”

After the program, panelists took audience questions.