INSIDE THE ARMS CONTROL ASSOCIATION
December 2022

Moving the World Back from the Nuclear Brink

Dear Friends:

This past year, we have been reminded that the nuclear weapons threat still hangs over all of us. Nuclear competition is accelerating. The risk of military confrontation between the nuclear-armed states is rising. Nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament diplomacy is currently stalled. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats in the context of Russia’s illegal and brutal war on Ukraine underscore the growing dangers of nuclear war, the risks of nuclear deterrence-based strategies, and the unfinished business that lies ahead.

Our collective actions today, as citizens, organizations, and government leaders, to move the world back from the nuclear brink and jumpstart effective disarmament diplomacy will affect international peace and security for years to come.

Because ACA's work depends on the support of people like you, please consider making a generous end-of-the-year contribution of $25, $50, $100, or--if you can--$500, $1,000, or more.

In 2023, our team of 13 hardworking, professional staff and our high-level Board will be at the forefront of efforts to:

• Head off a new arms race and advance nuclear disarmament diplomacy, including building support for negotiations to conclude a new U.S.-Russian nuclear arms control framework agreement to supersede New START, which will expire in less than 1100 days. 
• Counter threats of nuclear use and dangerous nuclear deterrence policies by continuing to pressure governments and thought leaders to reinforce the taboos against nuclear use, nuclear testing, and nuclear war-fighting weapons.
• Advance effective nuclear nonproliferation diplomacy to curb Iran's sensitive nuclear activities and engage North Korea in a step-by-step process toward peace and denuclearization on the Korean peninsula.

We’re also pursuing research on the challenging arms control issues of the future: how to manage the risks posed by emerging and disruptive military technologies such as hypersonic missiles, new space weapons, cyberattacks, and lethal autonomous weapons.

And we continue to strengthen civil society engagement in support of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) through the CWC Coalition, which is based at ACA and is  a recipient of the 2022 Hague Award for its pioneering work in the field.

Our Board and staff are very grateful for the generous support from so many of you in this past year as ACA marked its 50th anniversary. We have certainly accomplished a great deal together, but there is so much more to do. And your support is essential to success in the years ahead.

As President Joe Biden wrote in his message to the Arms Control Association in June: “In this time of intense geopolitical tension, arms control and nonproliferation diplomacy continues to be an essential part of … global stability. And we continue to count on the valuable contributions of the Arms Control Association.”

You have our commitment to do everything we can to help walk the world back from the nuclear brink and toward a more peaceful and secure future.

Onward,
Daryl G. Kimball
Executive Director

P.S. Please consider making a recurring monthly contribution to sustain ACA's work through the course of the year.
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Polls Open for 2022 Arms Control Person(s) of the Year

Since 2007, the independent, nongovernmental Arms Control Association has nominated individuals and institutions that have advanced effective arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament solutions in the previous 12 months and raised awareness of the threats posed by mass casualty weapons.

This year's nominees have, each in their own way, provided important leadership that helped reduce weapons-related security dangers during the past year.

Cast Your Vote at ARMSCONTROL.org/ACPOY

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ACA in the News

• The Washington Post cited board member Amb. Laura Kennedy's response in ACA’s press release following "Russia postpones talks on New START pact, imperiling major nuclear accord," Nov. 30
• Executive director Daryl Kimball told The Wall Street Journal that "it was disappointing and unprofessional that Russia has suddenly canceled a [New START] meeting it said it wanted," Nov. 28
• Nonproliferation policy director Kelsey Davenport told NBC that "Enrichment to near-weapons grade levels … is a serious escalation and raises the risk of a nuclear-armed Iran,” Nov. 22
• Research associate Gabriela Rosa told Newsweek that Russia's retreat from Kherson in Ukraine may allow it "to substantially reinforce its hold on the other occupied territories," Nov. 10.
• Senior policy analyst Shannon Bugos authored an op/ed for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, noting that "Despite challenges, US-Russian nuclear arms control has its benefits," Nov. 9

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Arms Control Association
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