U.S. Foreign Policy

  • Experts call for direct U.S.-North Korea talks

    According to a group of U.S. experts, the United States should conduct direct talks with North Korea, alongside the current six-nation negotiations.  The group of 10 former senior U.S.

    April 3, 2009 - By Sarah Brown

  • What to do about Pyongyang

    by Henry Sokolski

    The Obama administration just lost Round 1 in its diplomatic engagement with North Korea. Despite White House pleas for Pyongyang not to violate United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSC) 1718, which bans North Korea from launching ballistic missiles, Pyongyang has finished its preparations to launch a “peaceful” space-launch vehicle, a system that is indistinguishable from an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Aggravating the insult, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a delegation of 15 senior Iranian launch experts from the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group to help out. Pyongyang announced it will fire the rocket sometime between April 4 and 8.

    April 2, 2009 - By Anonymous

  • New space security database released

    The United States spends billions on military space programs each year, spread out over the military services as well as myriad offices and agencies, yet there is no central authority for tracking defense-related space spending.

    April 2, 2009 - By Sarah Brown

  • CNN: Pending North Korea missile launch

    April 2, 2009 - By Ploughshares Fund

  • A New Start for US-Russian Relations

    By Joseph Cirincione

    The US and Russian presidents released in London today a remarkable statement that breaks from the stale mumbo jumbo of the past and details an ambitious work plan for a new relationship between the two countries--starting with the goal of a nuclear-free world.

    April 1, 2009 - By Joe Cirincione

  • Activists paint grim picture of U.S. in Afghanistan

    Zia Mian, a Pakistani physicist and professor at the Ploughshares-funded Program on Science and Global Security at Princeton University, spoke at a public forum called &ldqu

    March 30, 2009 - By Sarah Brown

  • U.S. takes small steps in ties with Iran

    The U.S. Administration is taking steps to engage Iran, though no one expects the path to be easy.

    March 30, 2009 - By Joe Cirincione

  • Bumpy Diplomacy with Iran

    Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will join Iran at an international conference on Afghanistan in The Hague, following through on a promise by President Obama to deal with Tehran on issues of mutual concern. Joe Cirincione told Reuters, “This is not a Nixon goes to China moment. You will have a series of incremental steps — small pieces that put together the mosaic of a new relationship.”

    March 27, 2009 - By Joe Cirincione

  • Did Tehran really rebuff Obama?

    President Obama's Norooz message "initiated a much needed direct conversation between Iran and the U.S," writes  Dr.

    March 24, 2009 - By Sarah Brown

  • Obama makes special overture to Iran

    In a significant departure from the previous administration’s tone, President Obama welcomed "new beginnings" with Iran in a surprise video message marking Nowruz, the Iranian new year. The video does not specifically address the nuclear standoff, but instead recognizes the contribution of Iran's historical culture and calls on Tehran's leaders to turn a new page. "These challenges are interconnected and Obama gets that," said Ploughshares Fund President Joe Cirincione.

    March 20, 2009 - By Sarah Brown