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U.S. and Russia: A Window of Opportunity

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The U.S. and Russia share a wide range of critical interests, from preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, to addressing global energy concerns, to combating international terrorism and the illegal drug trade. Russia’s heavy hand at home and with its neighbors is troubling, but these concerns must be addressed through effective U.S.-Russian dialogue, not an escalating war of words. Two decades after the end of the Cold War, it is time to strengthen and renew U.S.-Russian cooperation. We, the undersigned, agree that to repair the U.S.-Russia relationship, both sides must take steps to restore mutual confidence and trust. The Obama Administration can begin by:

  • Emphasizing the importance of the NATO-Russia Council and inviting Russia to participate fully in a collective security strategy, beginning with peace and stability for Afghanistan;
  • Engaging in discussions aimed at securing Russian cooperation to establish effective defenses against missile attacks for Europe while providing Russia with security assurances;
  • Encouraging Russia to take a leadership role in multilateral negotiations with Iran to stop uranium enrichment;
  • Advancing the US-Russia dialogue on arms control and non-proliferation, and working to extend or replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which could be followed by another stage of verified nuclear disarmament;
  • Reiterating U.S. support for Russia’s WTO candidacy, calling on Congress to repeal the “Jackson-Vanik” trade sanctions, and encouraging other member states to offer Russia a clear path to membership based on its commitment to the WTO Charter; and
  • Expanding the US-Russia dialogue on energy and climate change, to include seeking common ground on environmental concerns and new oil and gas pipelines to guarantee reliable energy supplies for the entire North Atlantic region.

If these steps are met by Russia with similar good faith and pragmatism, Presidents Medvedev and Obama, as new leaders, can seize a unique opportunity to renew cooperation based on mutual trust and shared interests.

 

Signatories

Howard Baker, US Senator (R-TN) 1967-85
Samuel Berger, National Security Advisor 1997-2001
Harold Brown, Secretary of Defense 1977-81
Frank Carlucci, Secretary of Defense 1987-89
James F. Collins, US Ambassador to Russia 1997-2001
John C. Danforth, US Senator (R-MO) 1977-95
Kenneth M. Duberstein, White House Chief of Staff 1988-89
Susan Eisenhower, President, Eisenhower Group, Inc.
Slade Gorton, US Senator (R-WA) 1981-87, 1989-2001
Lee Hamilton, US Congressman (D-IN) 1965-99, PSA Co-Chair
Gary Hart, US Senator (D-CO) 1975-87
Arthur Hartman, Ambassador to Soviet Union 1981-87
Rita E. Hauser, Chair, International Peace Institute
Carla Hills, US Trade Representative 1989-93
E. Neville Isdell, Chairman, US-Russia Business Council
Nancy Kassebaum Baker, US Senator (R-KS) 1978-97
Thomas Kean, Governor, New Jersey 1982-90
Donald M. Kendall, former Chairman and CEO, Pepsico
Eugene K. Lawson, Vice Chairman, U.S. Export-Import Bank 1989-93
John Lehman, Secretary of the Navy 1981-87
Richard Leone, President, The Century Foundation
Jack Matlock, Ambassador to Soviet Union 1987-91
Robert McFarlane, National Security Advisor 1983-85
Donald McHenry, Ambassador to UN 1979-81
Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of Defense 1961-68
Sam Nunn, US Senator (D-GA) 1972-96
William Perry, Secretary of Defense 1994-97
Thomas Pickering, Undersecretary of State 1997-2000
Warren Rudman, US Senator (R-NH) 1980-92, PSA Co-Chair
Alan Simpson, US Senator (R-WY) 1979-97
Theodore Sorensen, White House Special Counsel 1961-63
James Symington, US Congressman (D-MO) 1969-77
Edward Verona, President, US-Russia Business Council
John Whitehead, Deputy Secretary of State 1985-88
Timothy E. Wirth, US Senator (D-CO) 1987-93
Frank Wisner, Undersecretary of State 1992-93

View the Statement

Renewing the U.S.-UN Relationship

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We Agree: Renew the U.S.-UN Relationship

An Opportunity and Priority for the New Administration

In today’s rapidly changing world of interdependence, globalization, and transnational threats, the United States must balance a strong military with creative diplomacy to secure America’s interests. We must recognize that the United Nations is a critical platform and partner for advancing international cooperation on today’s global threats and challenges, such as poverty and disease, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and climate change.
The UN cannot succeed without strong U.S. leadership and support. The next President has a unique opportunity to revitalize the U.S.-UN relationship as a symbol of America’s commitment to constructive international cooperation. This investment will pay off substantially by helping to enhance our standing internationally and strengthen our ability to keep America safe and strong.

Accordingly, we, the undersigned, believe that the incoming Obama Administration should:

  • Make an early and visible statement on the United Nations that expresses American commitment to international cooperation through the UN;
  • Lead on UN efforts on nuclear proliferation, counterterrorism, climate change and the Millennium Development Goals;
  • Play a constructive role in UN reform efforts and updating the UN’s management and budgetary systems;
  • Pay our debts on time, work to remove Congressional caps, and alter the schedule of U.S. payments so that we are in a position to honor our treaty obligations;
  • Engage with the UN on the shared interests of stabilizing Iraq and Afghanistan and supporting effective democratic governments in those countries;
  • Obtain a seat on the faltering Human Rights Council and work to influence it from within;
  • Underscore our commitment to the system of international agreements and treaties by seeking Senate consent for key treaties signed but not ratified;
  • Place well-qualified Americans in open positions at the UN;
  • Help manage the growing workload assigned to UN peacekeeping by providing logistical and management expertise and other support needed to enhance UN capacities.

 

Signatories

Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State 1997-2001
Gen. Brent Scowcroft, National Security Advisor 1974-77, 1989-93
Lee Hamilton, US Congressman (D-IN) 1965-99
Warren Rudman, US Senator (R-NH) 1980-92
Howard Baker, US Senator (R-TN) 1967-85
Samuel Berger, National Security Advisor, 1997-2001
Gen. Charles G. Boyd, Pres., Business Executives for National Security
Harold Brown, Secretary of Defense 1977-81
Zbigniew Brzezinski, National Security Advisor 1977-81
Warren Christopher, Secretary of State 1993-97
John Danforth, US Senator (R-MO) 1976-95
Kenneth M. Duberstein, White House Chief of Staff 1988-89
Slade Gorton, US Senator (R-WA) 1981-87, 1989-2001
Gary Hart, US Senator (D-CO) 1975-87
Rita Hauser, Chair, International Peace Academy 1992-present
Carla Hills, US Trade Representative 1989-93
Karl F. Inderfurth, Assistant Secretary of State 1997-2001
Nancy Kassebaum Baker, US Senator (R-KS) 1978-97
Thomas Kean, Governor (R-NJ), 1982-90
Richard Leone, President, The Century Foundation
Amb. William Luers, President, UN Association of the USA
Donald McHenry, Ambassador to UN 1979-81
Joseph Nye, University Distinguished Service Professor, Harvard University
Edward Perkins, Ambassador to UN 1992-93
William Perry, Secretary of Defense 1994-97
Thomas Pickering, Undersecretary of State, 1997-2000
Alan Simpson, US Senator (R-WY) 1979-97
Nancy Soderbergh, Representative for Special Political Affairs at the UN 1997-2001
Theodore Sorensen, White House Special Counsel 1961-63
Strobe Talbott, Deputy Secretary of State 1994-2001
Ted Turner, Founder and Chairman, UN Foundation
John Whitehead, Deputy Secretary of State 1985-88
Christine Todd Whitman, Governor (R-NJ) 1994-2001
Timothy E. Wirth, US Senator (D-CO) 1987-93
Frank Wisner, Undersecretary of State 1992-93
James D. Wolfensohn, World Bank President, 1995-2005
Gen. Anthony C. Zinni, USMC (Ret.)

View the Statement

WMD Report Card

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On the sixth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Partner- ship for a Secure America (PSA) announced an initiative to monitor and evaluate implementation of key unfulfilled recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. One of the top priorities of this effort was to follow up on the Commission’s recommendation that the US government apply maximum effort to preventing a WMD terror attack on the United States by combating proliferation of weapons and materials around the world.

In 2004, the 9/11 Commission concluded that Al Qaeda still sought to commit major terrorist attacks against the United States, and that in the future they and other terrorists would try to acquire and use weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. To that end, the Commissioners advised the President and Congress that “preventing the proliferation of these weapons warrants a maximum effort.”

In 2005, the 9/11 Public Discourse Project found that the US government had made “insufficient progress” in implementing that recommendation, giving implementation efforts a “D” on its final report card. That same report concluded that “prevent- ing terrorists from gaining access to weap- ons of mass destruction must be elevated above all other problems of national security because it represents the greatest threat to the American people.” In 2006, the Partnership for a Secure America echoed this conclusion in a statement signed by twenty-two former senior officials from both parties.

Today, almost seven years after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the threat of a new, major terrorist attack on the United States is still very real. A nuclear, chemical or biological weapon in the hands of terrorists remains the single greatest threat to our nation. While progress has been made in securing these weapons and materials, we are still dangerously vulner- able. That is why our next President, in close cooperation with the US Congress, must elevate to the highest priority our efforts to secure these weapons and materials at their source, and prevent their transit into the United States.

This special report contains the results of analysis by independ- ent experts who examined US government programs to prevent nuclear, chemical, and biological terrorism. These expert analyses focused on the time period following the 9/11 Public Discourse Project’s 2005 assessment through the present, to determine in particular whether and what additional progress has been made against the threat of WMD terrorism. Based on the experts’ conclusions, additional research and interviews, and the assessments of our bipartisan Advisory Board, PSA has assembled this Report Card on US government efforts to prevent WMD terrorism.

 

View the Full Report

 

 

View the Nuclear Report
View the Biological Report
View the Chemical Report

Chemical Terrorism

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September 2008

US Policies to Reduce the Chemical Terror Threat

Margaret E. Kosal

This report, part of the WMD Report Card Initiative, analyzes current US government policies and programs to prevent chemical terrorism, giving these efforts a grade of “B-.”

 

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Biological Terrorism

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September 2008

US Policies to Reduce Global Biothreats
Barry Kellman
This report, part of the WMD Report Card Initiative, analyzes current US government policies and programs to prevent biological terrorism, giving these efforts a grade of “C-.”

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Nuclear Terrorism

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September 2008

US Policies to Reduce the Threat of Nuclear Terror
Brian D. Finlay
This report, part of the WMD Report Card Initiative, analyzes current US government policies and programs to prevent nuclear terrorism, giving these efforts a grade of “C.”

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Uniform Interrogation Standards

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Cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners under American control makes us less safe, violates our nation’s values, and damages America’s reputation in the world.

That is why in 2004 the bipartisan 9/11 Commission called for humane treatment of those captured by the US government and our allies in the struggle against terrorism.
Congress and the Pentagon responded with clear and comprehensive new rules for the military, so that interrogation techniques practiced by the military today are both humane and effective.
But not all US government agencies are following these rules.
Congress should require the entire US government and those acting on its behalf to follow the Army Field Manual on Human Intelligence Collector Operations. Doing so will make us safer, while safeguarding our cherished values and our vital national interests.

 

 

Signatories

Zbigniew Brzezinski, National Security Advisor 1977-81
Warren Cristopher, Secretary of State 1993-97
Lawrence Eagleburger,  Secretary of State 1992-1993
Slade Gorton, US Senator (R-WA) 1981-87, 1989-2001
Lee Hamilton,  US Congressman (D-IN) 1965-99
Gary Hart, US Senator (D-CO) 1975-87
Rita Hauser, Chair, International Peace Academy 1992-present
Carla Hills, US Trade Representative 1989-93
Thomas Kean, Governor New Jersey 1982-1990
Anthony Lake, National Security Advisor 1993-97
John Lehman, Secretary of the Navy 1981-87
Richard C. Leone, President, The Century Foundation 1989-present
Robert McFarlane, National Security Advisor 1983-85
Donald McHenry, Ambassador to UN 1979-81
Sam Nunn, US Senator (D-GA) 1972-96
Thomas Pickering, Undersecretary of State 1997-2000
Ted Sorensen, White House Special Counsel 1961-63
John C. Whitehead, Deputy Secretary of State 1985-88

View the Statement

Energy Independence

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America’s Achilles Heel…

…Is Our Dangerous Dependence on Oil

America’s overdependence on foreign oil is costing American lives, bankrolling many of our worst enemies, and polluting our air.

The time has come for dramatic bipartisan action to address our nation’s Achilles heel — our dangerous dependency on oil. We must reduce our vulnerability to high oil prices and supply disruptions, and address the dangers of climate change resulting from energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.

The President’s plan outlined in the State of the Union address was a step in the right direction, but far more needs to be done by the President and Congress to set and achieve new targets for our energy security. We call on members of Congress from both parties and the President to work together to launch a new “Manhattan Project” to deploy and promote cleaner alternative energy sources and increase energy efficiency. Our efforts must match the magnitude of the challenge we face. Specifically, we must:

Set ambitious goals. Commit to a national oil consumption reduction target of 10% by 2015 and 20% by 2025.

Reinvent our Vehicles. Promote the development and implementation of fuel saving technologies.

  • Provide substantial incentives to help automakers retool factories to build more efficient vehicles.
  • Provide $1.4 billion over six years for research, development, deployment, testing, and certification that would speed commercialization of advanced technologies such as plug-in hybrids and stronger lightweight materials.
  • Expand the consumer tax credit for the purchase of vehicles that use fuel saving technology.
  • Your browser may not support display of this image. Significantly strengthen vehicle fuel efficiency standards and establish standards for heavy duty trucks. Allow manufacturers to trade fuel economy credits.

Increase Fuel Choice. Ramp up commercialization of alternative fuels.

  • Invest an additional $1 billion over the next five years in research and production incentives for cellulosic biofuels.
  • Your browser may not support display of this image. Create a program that would provide tax credits, low interest loans, and grants to support the installation of alternative fuel pumps.
  • Require that most new vehicles be flex fuel capable by 2012.
  • Provide substantial funding for efforts that expand electric drive technologies for automobiles.

These common sense measures will grow our economy, protect our environment, and enhance our security.

Our children’s lives and the future of our country depend on our making wise choices today about our energy security for tomorrow. The time to act is now.

 

Signatories

Howard Baker, US Senator (R-TN) 1967-85
Warren Christopher, Secretary of State 1993-1997
Lee Hamilton, US Congressman (D-IN) 1965-99
Gary Hart, US Senator (D-CO) 1975-87
Rita Hauser, Chair, International Peace Academy
Anthony Lake, National Security Advisor 1993-97
John Lehman, Secretary of the Navy 1981-87
Richard C. Leone, President, The Century Foundation
Robert McFarlane, National Security Advisor 1983-85
Donald McHenry, Ambassador to UN 1979-81
Warren Rudman, US Senator (R-NH) 1980-92
Ted Sorenson, White House Special Counsel 1961-63
John C. Whitehead, Deputy Secretary of State 1985-88

Frank Wisner, Undersecretary of State 1992-93

View the Statement

 

Darfur Action Now

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Now is the time for our President, our country, and the international community to match strong words with decisive action.

Now is the time for the President to work with Russia, China, and members of the Arab League to compel Sudan to accept a UN peacekeeping force.

Now is the time to impose a NATO-led no-fly zone over the Darfur region, expand sanctions on Sudanese government officials, freeze Sudan’s assets abroad, and block its oil exports.

If these measures do not make it possible to quickly deploy a UN force and halt the genocide, a NATO-led intervention must be seriously considered.

Now is the time for leadership and bold action.

The world can no longer stand idly by

 

Signatories

Warren Rudman, US Senator (R-NH) 1980-92
Lee Hamilton, US Congressman (D-IN) 1965-99, Vice Chair, 9/11 Commission
Howard Baker, US Senator (R-TN) 1967-85
Samuel Berger, National Security Advisor 1997-2000
Zbigniew Brzezinksi, National Security Advisor 1977-81
Warren Christopher Secretary of State 1993-97
Slade Gorton, US Senator (R-WA) 1981-87, 1989-2001, Commissioner, 9/11 Commission
Gary Hart, US Senator (D-CO) 1975-87
Carla Hills, US Trade Representative 1989-93
Nancy Kassebaum Baker, US Senator (R-KS) 1978-97
Thomas Kean, Governor New Jersey 1982-1990, Chairman, 9/11 Commission
Anthony Lake, National Security Advisor 1993-97
John Lehman, Secretary of the Navy 1981-87, Commissioner, 9/11 Commission
Richard C. Leone, President, The Century Foundation 1989-present
Robert McFarlane, National Security Advisor 1983-85
Sam Nunn, US Senator (D-GA) 1972-96
Thomas Pickering, Undersecretary of State 1997-2000
John C. Whitehead, Deputy Secretary of State 1985-88
Frank Wisner, Undersecretary of State 1992-93

View the Statement

U.S. Dues and UN Reform

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These bipartisan leaders agree that cutting funding won’t promote much needed change
America needs the United Nations to help make our world more secure and peaceful.  To realize its full potential, the United Nations badly needs reform and constructive American leadership.  We support the call for major reforms of the United Nations system, and urge America’s leaders to work even harder to build international support for its critical agenda.  But America cannot afford to to cut off funding for the United Nations at a time when our nation and the world need it more than ever.

Signatories

Warren Rudman, US Senator (R-NH) 1980-92
Lee Hamilton, US Congressman (D-IN) 1965-99, Vice Chair, 9/11 Commission
Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State 1997-2000
Howard Baker, US Senator (R-TN) 1967-85
Samuel Berger, National Security Advisor 1997-2000
Zbigniew Brzezinski, National Security Advisor 1977-81
Warren Christopher, Secretary of State 1993-97
Gary Hart, US Senator (D-CO) 1975-87
Rita Hauer, Chair, International Peace Academy 1992-present
Carla Hills, US Trade Representative 1989-93
Nancy Kassebaum Baker, US Senator 1978-97
Thomas Kean, Governor New Jersey 1982-90, Chairman, 9/11 Commission
Anthony Lake, National Security Advisory 1993-97
John Lehman, Secretary of the Navy 1981-87, Commissioner, 9/11 Commission
Richard C. Leone, President, The Century Foundation
Sam Nunn, US Senator (D-GA) 1972-96
William Perry, Secretary of Defense 1994-97
Thomas Pickering, Undersecretary of State 1997-2000
Ted Sorensen, White House Special Counsel 1961-63
John C. Whitehead, Deputy Secretary of State 1985-88
Frank Wisner, Undersecretary of State 1992-93

View the Statement

PARTNERSHIP FOR A SECURE AMERICA

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