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Ploughshares Blog: U.S. Foreign Policy

A Promise Kept, A New Beginning
As a candidate, Barack Obama distinguished himself by his anti-war stance. It was a popular move in a nation that was fatigued by a multi-year conflict with no clear end in sight. Today, President Obama has annouced the end to the war he campaigned against, keeping a major promise and opening up a new opportunity for new beginnings in both nations.  Read more »
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Posted by Margaret Swink on October 21, 2011
Middle East, Conflict, Iraq, Joe Cirincione, Joel Rubin, U.S. Foreign Policy, Obama
How the Debt Deal Creates an Opportunity to Cut Nuclear Weapons
As the dust settles on the debt ceiling deal, it’s become clear that major cuts to defense spending have not only been approved in a bipartisan manner by Congress, but that even more are on the way. This means that the days of unlimited defense spending increases, where all systems can be purchased, are over. Read more »
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Posted by Joel Rubin on August 3, 2011
bloated weapons systems, Nuclear Budget, Nuclear Weapons, Pentagon, U.S. Foreign Policy, Defense Budget, United States
The Nuclear Cut at the Deficit
This week, Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) released "Back in Black," a $9 trillion plan to reduce the U.S. national debt over ten years. In it, he proposed saving $79 billion by cutting the nuclear arsenal to roughly 1,220 deployed nuclear warheads (from the current level of 1,968). Read more »
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Posted by Ben Loehrke on July 19, 2011
Nuclear Budget, Nuclear Weapons, U.S. Foreign Policy, U.S. Nuclear Policy, Other, United States
Finding the Balance: Effective Solutions for a Nuclear-Hungry Iran
“The genie’s out of the bottle, but it’s not yet wandering around”. The genie, in the words of Olli Heinonen, former Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, describes Iran’s nuclear program. Read more »
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Posted by Megan Murphy on July 18, 2011
foofoo, Nuclear Weapons, U.S. Foreign Policy, U.S. Nuclear Policy, Iran
How to Shave a Bundle Off the Deficit: Spend Less on Nukes
Congress is in the midst of an intense debate over a massive defense spending bill, and budget negotiations between the Administration and congressional leaders are at a pivotal stage. One key part of our nation's budget must be on the table: nuclear weapons. Read more »
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Posted by Joe Cirincione on July 15, 2011
Nuclear Budget, Nuclear Weapons, U.S. Foreign Policy, Defense Budget, U.S. Nuclear Policy, Other, United States
Joe Cirincione joins the Secretary of State's International Security Advisory Board
Today, the State Department annouced the new members of the International Security Advisory Board (ISAB). Among them was our own Joe Cirincione.  Read more »
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Posted by Margaret Swink on July 12, 2011
U.S. Foreign Policy, United States
Time For a New Conversation With Pakistan
Pakistan often makes rhetorical statements that are contradictory to its actions – which is not the way to make long-term, sustainable progress on the security issues of most concern to Pakistan, its neighbors and its partners. The problem is that the rest of us are not doing enough to put an end to that duplicity. It’s time to change course. Read more »
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Posted by Rizwan Ladha on July 12, 2011
South Asia, Conflict Prevention, Nuclear Weapons, U.S. Foreign Policy, Nuclear Terrorism, Conflict & Regional Security, United States
Dealing With Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons During the Afghanistan Withdrawal
Now that President Obama has decided to end the surge in Afghanistan by late next year, and to bring the troops home by 2014, a clear vision about the American military presence in the region has begun to emerge. Yet paradoxically, the most stunning success of our operations in the region – the killing of Osama bin Laden – has exposed an even more serious potential menace: the insecurity of Pakistan’s nuclear program. Read more »
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Posted by Joel Rubin on July 7, 2011
India,Pakistan & Afghanistan, Nuclear Weapons, U.S. Foreign Policy, Iran, Conflict & Regional Security, United States
Doing the Nuclear Math: North Dakota
According to the most reliable estimates the U.S. still has over 8,000 nuclear weapons. Read more »
Posted by Peter Fedewa on July 6, 2011
Nuclear Weapons, U.S. Foreign Policy, Proliferation, U.S. Nuclear Policy, Other, United States
A Policy Victory Offers a Blueprint for Grant Makers and Advocacy
In todayʼs bitter and polarized political environment, many nonprofits and grant makers may conclude that it is impossible to get things done—and not worth investing in advocacy. But a major bipartisan victory our foundation and grantees achieved in the Senate is perhaps illustrative of what it takes to succeed, and how grant makers need to think differently about their approach, no matter how daunting the economic downturn or political obstacles. Read more »
Posted by Naila Bolus on June 27, 2011
Board of Trustees, Carnegie Corporation, Colombe Foundation, D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Nuclear Weapons, Partners, Russia, U.S. Foreign Policy, United States