The Global Citizen: nuclear disarmament

Mother's Day: The Origin Story

Amanda Bowen | May 10th, 2012
Topics: Women's Rights Treaty (CEDAW), Nuclear Disarmament, Arms Control, Become a Member, Prevent War

This Sunday, we honor the women in our lives that gave us life and shaped us into the people we are today. Daughters, mothers, and grandmothers, will receive flowers, candy, or breakfast in bed prepared by the kids.

But did you know that Mother’s Day was originally founded as a Women’s Day for peace and disarmament? In 1870, Julia Ward Howe, the author of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” advocated for the creation of Mother’s Day, dedicated to promoting “the amicable settlement of international questions, and the great and general interests of peace.”

We can cherish the women who nurtured, protected, and cared for us by sending a Mother’s Day card that honors the original spirit of the holiday. Click here to choose a free e-card that celebrates the special women in your life and commemorates women working for peace around the globe.

"Apocalypse Never" Author Tad Daley on C-SPAN

Don Kraus | October 6th, 2011
Topics: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Nuclear Disarmament, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Arms Control, Fellows, Prevent War, WFI

Longtime CGS activist Tad Daley will appear on C-SPAN BOOK TV at 3 AM, 8:30 AM, and 4 PM EDT Sunday, October 9th. He'll be talking about his book APOCALYPSE NEVER: Forging the Path to a Nuclear Weapon Free World, and laying out his plan for abolishing nuclear weapons before they abolish us. Tad spoke at Busboys and Poets in Washington DC on August 9th, 2011, the 66th anniversary of the atomic obliteration of Nagasaki, in an event sponsored by Citizens for Global Solutions, Peace Action, and Progressive Democrats of America.

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New START Treaty: a Win for the US and the World

Don Kraus | December 22nd, 2010
Topics: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Nuclear Disarmament, Prevent War

The United States Senate agreed to the New START Treaty today. The bilateral nuclear arms treaty passed with bipartisan support by a 71 to 26 margin. Today's rollcall vote came after months of highly partisan debate and despite a packed Senate schedule.

Adoption of this treaty demonstrates a commitment to responsible and cooperative U.S. global engagement. President Obama, Vice-President Biden, and Senators Kerry, Lugar, and Reid deserve special praise for their vision and leadership. New START's approval is also testament to the courageous 13 Republicans who placed national security above obstructive partisan politics.

It's New START -- and a small step -- Toward a World Without Nukes

Tad Daley | December 22nd, 2010
Topics: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Nuclear Disarmament, Chapters, Prevent War

If the people will lead, the leaders will follow. The ratification of the new START treaty, without question, was uncertain as recently as one week ago. But because of the indefatigable efforts of us, citizens who stand for global solutions to global challenges, we turned the tide. We moved the mountain. We carried the day.

Imagine what other mountains we're going to move in the months and years to come.

At the heart of the new START treaty stands a Big Idea that can be expressed in a single sentence. When both we and our potential adversaries agree to mutually limit our military muscle and to mutually open ourselves to external inspections, that's better for us, for American national security, than when we insist that we cannot allow our armaments or our sovereignty to be constrained in any way (as the right demagogically demands), and consequently our potential adversaries remain wholly unconstrained as well.

Now is the Time for New START!

Anu Joshi | December 14th, 2010
Topics: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Nuclear Disarmament, Prevent War

After 20+ hearings and over 900 questions submitted for the record, we are finally one step closer to a full Senate debate and vote on New START, maybe even starting tomorrow. As Politico told us today: "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to bring the START treaty to the floor as early as Tuesday evening, despite continued protests from senior Republican leadership that the treaty should wait until the next Congress." Senator Reid also threatened (promised) to bring the Senate back after Christmas if they don't get through everything that needs to be done. As a tax payer I have to say that I'm happy to finally see Harry Reid figure out that he needs to protect our national security and that we can't punt this important vote to the next session because we don't want to work late.

An Unhappy One-Year Anniversary: Why We Need New START Passed Now

Melissa Kaplan | December 6th, 2010
Topics: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Nuclear Disarmament, Prevent War

December 5^th, 2010 marked an unfortunate anniversary for U.S. national security. It has been one year since the previous arms control treaty between the United States and Russia expired, meaning that the U.S. has not been able to inspect the Russian nuclear arsenal since December 2009. We have no boots on the ground, no verification, no way of knowing what's happening with the nuclear weapons that still remain in Russia's possession.

Reid's Choice - Kyl's Folly

Don Kraus | November 22nd, 2010
Topics: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Nuclear Disarmament, Prevent War

The New START nukes treaty is at a critical make it or break it moment. The administration and Majority Leader Reid are determined to ratify this important disarmament agreement. Senator Reid is going to make the vote happen. Will the right number of Senators acknowledge their responsibilities to keep this country safer and vote for the treaty?

Pull 'em Together Harry

Don Kraus | November 10th, 2010
Topics: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Nuclear Disarmament, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Prevent War

As posted on the Huffington Post:

Harry, it looks like you defied the odds in Nevada and are going to be in D.C. for another six years. Amen. But winning elections is one thing. If you seriously want to prove that you still have the chops to remain Majority leader in the next Congress, it's time to get serious about finishing the current Congress on a winning consensus-building note.

While there are certainly many important issues on your plate that are far from guaranteed, why not show your true leadership skills? Pass the New START nuclear draw-down treaty. It has strong bipartisan support and is a security no-brainer.

Remarks from President Obama this Morning

Jessica Lippman | November 4th, 2010
Topics: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Election News & Analysis, Nuclear Disarmament, Prevent War, Capitol Hill

In a speech this morning, President Obama outlined his plans and goals for the next few weeks. He emphasizes the overarching need for non-partisan consensus in order to prevent legislative deadlock. Although the economy has obviously been a critical issue in Tuesday's past election, President Obama also spoke of the need to address foreign policy issues, specifically the Senate ratification of the New START treaty, during the upcoming lame-duck session. Please read the President's remarks below:

New START Bipartisan Victory in Foreign Relations Committee

Don Kraus | September 17th, 2010
Topics: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Nuclear Disarmament

Five months after being signed by the President, the New START treaty successfully made it out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC). Fourteen senators voted for it and four against after a long and heated debate over issues like missile defense and nuclear modernization. Three Republicans threw their chips in favor of New START.

This is a major win for the arms control advocacy community, given that until just a few days ago, it wasn't clear how some influential GOP senators on the treaty were going to vote. With a Democratic majority in the committee, the treaty would have been voted out regardless. But the treaty will need 67 votes on the floor (read: at least 8 Republicans) to be ratified, which is no easy task in this divided Senate.