The Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Light Weapons was adopted on October 31, 1998.
Economic Community of Western African States Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons was adopted on June 14, 2006 and entered into force on November 20, 2009.
Kim Jong-il's death has prompted discussion about the future of the isolated country and its nuclear weapons program. Experts cited in this CFR Backgrounder believe a post-Kim regime in North Korea would remain a tough nuclear negotiator.
Authors: Frank G. Klotz, Susan J. Koch, and Franklin C. Miller International Herald Tribune
Frank G. Klotz, Susan J. Koch,and Franklin C. Miller argue that as the United States and Russia continue to reduce long-range, strategic nuclear weapons to increasingly lower levels, a disparity in tactical nuclear weapons has serious implications for the overall nuclear balance between the two countries and the continued efficacy of the U.S. nuclear umbrella for its allies.
Stephen Sestanovich testifies before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee that, though the U.S. and Russia restored broadly cooperative ties after 2008, the relationship is marked by lingering frustration and even friction.
Jonathan Pearl says that with the New START treaty entering into force, next steps must begin now for the U.S. to achieve further bilateral nuclear reductions with Russia.
CFR Senior Fellow Michael Levi reviews possible states of the Iranian nuclear program, evaluating the range of policy outcomes in order to better guide decisions on strategy.
Speakers: Rose E. Gottemoeller, Steven Pifer, and Micah Zenko Presider: Clifford A. Kupchan
Following U.S. ratification of the New START arms control treaty with Russia, join Rose E. Gottemoeller, Steven Pifer, and Micah Zenko for a discussion of the next steps in U.S. and Russian nuclear cooperation.
Speakers: Rose E. Gottemoeller, Steven Pifer, and Micah Zenko Presider: Clifford A. Kupchan
Following U.S. ratification of the New START arms control treaty with Russia, Rose E. Gottemoeller, Steven Pifer, and Micah Zenko discuss the next steps in U.S. and Russian nuclear cooperation, in particular with regard to missile defense cooperation and the new "123 Agreement."
Speakers: Rose E. Gottemoeller, Steven Pifer, and Micah Zenko Presider: Clifford A. Kupchan
Following U.S. ratification of the New START arms control treaty with Russia, Rose E. Gottemoeller, Steven Pifer, and Micah Zenko discuss the next steps in U.S. and Russian nuclear cooperation, in particular with regard to missile defense cooperation and the new "123 Agreement."
All previous attempts at total nuclear disarmament have failed, as strategic logic and state interest have prevailed over wishful thinking. A similar fate awaits Global Zero, the newest disarmament movement, for similar reasons.
Jonathan Pearl cautions that the Obama administration should be careful not to place too much weight on the new START treaty as a stepping stone toward deep nuclear force reductions and global nuclear disarmament.
Micah Zenko argues that controlling U.S. and Russian supplies of tactical nuclear weapons would reduce the potential for nuclear terrorism, decrease the perceived threat to U.S. allies, and maintain momentum toward President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons.
The independent Arms Control Association (ACA) today released the 2009-2010 report card on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament, concluding that the current global institutions are "neither on the verge of crumbling nor on the cusp of success."
What comes after the New START treaty? A follow-on treaty should limit the U.S. and Russia to 1,000 strategic and tactical nuclear weapons, says this CFR report.
The Council on Foreign Relations' David Rockefeller Studies Program—CFR's "think tank"—is home to more than seventy full-time, adjunct, and visiting scholars and practitioners (called "fellows"). Their expertise covers the world's major regions as well as the critical issues shaping today's global agenda. Download the printable CFR Experts Guide.
Special operations play a critical role in how the United States confronts irregular threats, but to have long-term strategic impact, the author argues, numerous shortfalls must be addressed.
The author analyzes the potentially serious consequences, both at home and abroad, of a lightly overseen drone program and makes recommendations for improving its governance.
Two experts argue that despite myriad development strategies, only one can succeed in alleviating poverty in India: the overall growth of the country's economy. More