Working Toward a World Without Nuclear Weapons

In 2007, a who’s who of the national security establishment— former Secretary of State George Shultz, former Secretary of Defense Bill Perry, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former Senator Sam Nunn —announced their support of a world without nuclear weapons, describing a new world of ever-expanding nuclear appetites, in which traditional deterrence no longer works. The four leaders created the Nuclear Security Project to galvanize global action to reduce urgent nuclear dangers and build support for their vision and the steps to achieve them.
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About the Four

Documentary Tackles Nuclear Dangers, Features Shultz, Perry, Kissinger, and Nunn

Nuclear Tipping Point is a new documentary film that focuses on conversations with four men intimately involved in American diplomacy and national security over the last four decades. Former Secretary of State George Shultz, former Secretary of Defense Bill Perry, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former Senator Sam Nunn share the personal experiences that led them to write four Wall Street Journal op-eds in support of a world free of nuclear weapons and the steps needed to get there.

Spurring Global Action

When former Secretary of State George Shultz, former Secretary of Defense Bill Perry, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former Senator Sam Nunn announced in 2007 their support of a world without nuclear weapons and described the steps to get there, the impact was global. Government leaders worldwide expressed support. But one of the most intriguing responses to the op-ed series was a wave of like-minded opinion editorials from high-level, former officials around the world. By 2011, former officials from 13 countries had joined together across party lines to publicly endorse the vision and agenda by speaking out on the pages of the press.

Creating a Blueprint for Action

Important and difficult challenges need to be addressed, in order to forge a path to a world without nuclear weapons. The Nuclear Security Project is working to fill the gaps in understanding and develop the blueprint for action needed by government leaders to guide future policymaking and diplomacy to reduce nuclear dangers. Important work has been done over the years to define major mileposts on the path to a world without nuclear weapons, but there are still a number of key gaps in the conceptual framework and technical details. Studies sponsored by the Project address issues like verification, cooperation between the United States and Russia, NATO nuclear posture and more.

Highlights

Asia Pacific Leadership Network Inaugural Statement

Over 30 political, diplomatic, and military leaders from 14 Asia Pacific states signed on to the Asia Pacific Leadership Network for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament’s inaugural statement in support of a nuclear weapons-free world. The statement acknowledges the crucial role of policymakers in the Asia Pacific region in achieving the vision of a world without nuclear weapons. The statement’s signatories, including five former prime ministers and 10 former foreign and defense ministers, warn against stalled momentum and call for policymakers to “get serious” about nuclear risks.

Small Nuclear Forces: Five Perspectives

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a Nuclear Security Project partner, released a new report, "Small Nuclear Forces: Five Perspectives," which focuses on nuclear restraint and stability at low numbers. Authors from the United Kingdom, China, France, India, and Pakistan examine factors that have led these countries to maintain a posture of minimum deterrence. They also explore prospects for future multilateral arms reduction, an essential step proposed by NSP principals George Shultz, William Perry, Henry Kissinger, and Sam Nunn in their January 2007 Wall Street Journal op-ed.

Indonesia Ratifies the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

On December 6, Indonesia ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), bringing the treaty one step closer to entry into force. Ratification by the eight remaining Annex 2 states is required to bring the treaty into force. Full implementation of the CTBT is one of the original steps proposed by NSP principals George Shultz, Henry Kissinger, William Perry, and Sam Nunn in their January 2007 Wall Street Journal op-ed.

Read an op-ed from an Indonesian lawmaker describing the benefits of ratification and the statement from the White House in support of Indonesia's leadership.

Reducing Nuclear Risks in Europe: A Framework for Action

This new NTI report is designed to help develop an approach to reduce nuclear risks in Europe and contribute to NATO's Deterrence and Defense Posture Review. The collection of papers identifies policy and force structure options open to NATO members and aims to promote dialogue and new thinking on several key issues and questions, both within NATO and with Russia. Senator Nunn's essay outlines 10 specific steps for NATO to consider -- at the core of "10 for 2012" is a NATO commitment to deepening consultations with Russia, including a new dialogue designed to increase "warning and decision time" for leaders. In addition, NATO should plan for further reductions and consolidation of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons in Europe. The target of completing consolidation to the United States should be within five years, with the final timing and pace determined by broad developments with Russia.

London Deterrence Conference Expands Dialogue

NTI, the Hoover Institution, and the European Leadership Network co-hosted an international conference, Deterrence: Its Past and Future, in London. The two-day conference, in May, included George Shultz, Bill Perry, Henry Kissinger, Sam Nunn and former senior officials and subject matter experts from around the world. The meeting helped stimulate international dialogue on deterrence and identify near-term practical steps that can be applied regionally and globally to support the transition toward a new and more stable form of deterrence.

More Highlights

About the Nuclear Security Project

Former Secretary of State George P. Shultz, former Secretary of Defense William J. Perry, former Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger and former Senator Sam Nunn joined together to form the Nuclear Security Project—an effort to galvanize global action to reduce urgent nuclear dangers and build support for reducing reliance on nuclear weapons, ultimately ending them as a threat to the world. In four op-eds, published in The Wall Street Journal and linked at right, they describe their vision of a world without nuclear weapons and the steps to get there.

The Nuclear Threat Initiative works with Stanford University’s Hoover Institution to coordinate the work of the principals and manage the project.