Policy moments like this don’t come along often, and don’t last long. This is our window of opportunity.
The intensification of nuclear threats, the failure of previous regime-change policies, the developing bipartisan, transnational consensus for deep reductions in nuclear arsenals and the emergence of new leadership in most major powers -- all have created a unique convergent moment for President Barack Obama to "set a goal of world without nuclear weapons and pursue it."
The following factors are shaping our efforts to do more and act now:
- A new administration: President Obama has publicly committed to set a new direction for America’s nuclear weapons policy to ultimately eliminate all nuclear weapons.
- Economic relevance: Reducing the U.S. nuclear arsenal can save $20 billion a year without sacrificing our national security.
- Historic support: 70% of former Secretaries of State and Defense and National Security Advisors are calling for the U.S. to take the lead in eliminating nuclear weapons.
- Unprecedented leadership: A growing movement of civil society from all political persuasions is providing the leadership that is required to realize a new vision of a world without nuclear weapons.
- Environmental impact: The rush to address global warming with an increased reliance on nuclear power increases the danger of unchecked proliferation by providing states with the means to produce nuclear weapons. Existing safeguards are inadequate.
- Immediate threats: Despite progress in securing and reducing global nuclear stockpiles, the risk of nuclear terrorism remains unacceptably high.The most dangerous regions are not always those that aspire to go nuclear, but states in decline that can become staging areas or sanctuaries for illicit activities.
