In this April 5, 2009, file photo speaking in Prague, President Barack Obama calls for a world free of nuclear weapons. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

Key U.S. Policy Priorities

Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on April 12 and 13 2010

The U.S. National Statement
Key Facts about the Nuclear Security Summit
Highlights of the national commitments made at the Nuclear Security Summit
The Communique
The Work Plan
The Work Plan reference document

START TREATY

New START and implications for National Security Programs

June 17, 2010

Secretary Clinton appears before the Senate Armed Services
Committee hearing on the new START with Secretary of Defense
Robert Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike
Mullen and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.

"One year ago this week, I came to Prague and gave a speech outlining America’s comprehensive commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons, and seeking the ultimate goal of a world without them. I said then – and I will repeat now – that this is a long-term goal, one that may not even be reached in my lifetime. But I believed then – as I do now – that the pursuit of that goal will move us further beyond the Cold War, strengthen the global non-proliferation regime, and make the United States, and the world, safer and more secure." President Obama, April 8, 2010 more

The New START Treaty and Protocol

Nuclear Posture Review

“Today, my Administration is taking a significant step forward by fulfilling another pledge that I made in Prague — to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy and focus on reducing the nuclear dangers of the 21st century, while sustaining a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent for the United States and our allies and partners as long as nuclear weapons exist.” President Obama, April 6, 2010 more

NPR: FIVE KEY OBJECTIVES

1. Preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism;
2. Reducing the role of U.S. nuclear weapons in U.S. national security strategy;
3. Maintaining strategic deterrence and stability at reduced nuclear force levels;
4. Strengthening regional deterrence and reassuring U.S. allies and partners; and
5. Sustaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear arsenal. read Executive Summary

Four major nonproliferation events to watch for:

The release of the Nuclear Posture Review on April 6,

The New START Treaty signing in Prague on April 8,

The Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on April 12 and 13,

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations in May.

President Obama "But no alliance can afford to stand still… The existence of thousands of nuclear weapons is the most dangerous legacy of the Cold War… Some argue that the spread of these weapons cannot be stopped, cannot be checked – that we are destined to live in a world where more nations and more people possess the ultimate tools of destruction. Such fatalism is a deadly adversary, for if we believe that the spread of nuclear weapons is inevitable, then in some way we are admitting to ourselves that the use of nuclear weapons is inevitable. Just as we stood for freedom in the 20th century, we must stand together for the right of people everywhere to live free from fear in the 21st century. (Applause.) And as nuclear power – as a nuclear power, as the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear weapon, the United States has a moral responsibility to act. We cannot succeed in this endeavor alone, but we can lead it, we can start it. So today, I state clearly and with conviction America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons. (Applause.) I'm not naive. This goal will not be reached quickly – perhaps not in my lifetime. It will take patience and persistence. But now we, too, must ignore the voices who tell us that the world cannot change. We have to insist, "Yes, we can." (Applause.)" —President Barack Obama, April 5, 2009” read more

Major US Government Statements

A select list of major statements On the United States and Nonproliferation with policy value.

Latest US Government Statements

This is a list of the 25 most recent items in reverse chronological order.

Our Dossier

Other US Govt. Resources

Major Reports/Treaties

United States Nonproliferation Policy: a Dossier

Key U.S. Policy Priorities

New START and implications for National Security Programs

Major US Government Statements

Latest US Government Statements

US Government Fact Sheets