Inside the Arms Control Association

We’re still modest in size and resources, but our dedicated professional staff and high-caliber board members continue to work hard to make a difference. This month has been no exception.

As with other critical arms control agreements, the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is under threat due to inattention, diplomatic sclerosis, and worsening relations between nuclear-armed adversaries.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's announcement June 2 on the United States engaging Russia “now to manage nuclear risks and develop a post-2026 arms control framework” and “without preconditions" was an encouraging sign, but three months later, this important dialogue has not yet begun.

At a time of increasing global tensions and growing risk of nuclear war, Christopher Nolan's mesmerizing, expertly-crafted, and sometimes disturbing feature-length film, Oppenheimer, provides a jolting, timely reminder for millions of moviegoers that nuclear weapons are anything but normal because they give the leaders of a few nations to power to destroy us all.

In this issue, we highlight how ACA continues its steadfast work to build domestic and international pressure for Washington and Moscow to re-engage on nuclear risk reduction and to encourage the other nuclear-armed NPT States to join the nuclear disarmament enterprise. Also, members have an opportunity to tell Congress to oppose funding for new nuclear weapons.