Opportunity

We occupy a unique moment in history. Congress has recently called for two blue-ribbon commissions—one from the House/Senate, and another from the next presidential administration—to evaluate the future of America’s nuclear weapons. From now until 2010, therefore, our country will be asking the big questions to which we have answers.

A world without nuclear weapons is an idea whose time has come.

Because of the nature of the present nuclear danger, the only way that we can ever come out from under the shadow of self-induced annihilation is to do what leading experts recommend—partner with other nations to ensure verifiable, multi-lateral disarmament.

This is no liberal fantasy. On January 4, 2007, Republicans George Shultz and Henry Kissinger joined conservative Democrats William Perry and Sam Nunn in calling for “a world free of nuclear weapons,” and listed the steps to get there.

The “gang of four” or “the four horsemen,” as they are affectionately known, are now among the leading champions of getting to zero. Their second joint publication, on January 15, 2008, listed the overwhelming, non-partisan support their proposals have received—from seventy percent of the former secretaries of state and defense, and national security advisors, and from more than a dozen of President Ronald Reagan’s top foreign policy officials.

This means that the question to any nuclear weapons advocates ought to be: “On what basis do you disagree with the consensus of America’s top foreign policy experts from both parties?” In a fair debate, the abolitionist argument wins.

Former senator Sam Nunn rightly refers to the move toward disarmament as the climb to the top of a very tall mountain. It will take time, money, commitment, and verification. Serious questions must be addressed: what about cheaters? How will we verify? What about nuclear power?

But we have the know-how to solve these problems. They are not intractable. What we need now is the commitment.