Sustaining U.S.-Russian Leadership on Nuclear Security

In the first five months of 2010, the United States and Russia signed the New START Treaty, cooperated at the April nuclear security summit on a plan to secure all fissile materials globally, and helped promote a successful Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference in May. In discussions over the summer, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) Director Alexander Dynkin, former Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Brookings President Strobe Talbott exchanged views on steps that Washington and Moscow could take, while awaiting ratification of New START, to build on the progress of early 2010.

On October 15, the Arms Control Initiative at Brookings hosted a discussion of how the U.S. and Russia can shape a more secure nuclear future and promote a stronger relationship between the two countries. Panelists included Brookings President Strobe Talbott, Ploughshares Fund President Joseph Cirincione and Senior Fellow Steven Pifer, director of the Arms Control Initiative. The event marked the release of the Brookings-Institute of World Economy and International Relations paper, “Next Steps on U.S.-Russian Nuclear Negotiations and Nuclear Non-Proliferation.”

Brookings Fellow Vanda-Felbab Brown provided introductory remarks and moderated the discussion.