Testimony
Lessons Learned from Past Negotiations to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation
Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, distinguished members of the committee, it is an honor to speak with you on a matter of surpassing importance to U.S. national security.
Attempting to gain knowledge from experience in nonproliferation negotiations is a laudable goal, but one that is best approached with humility. Alan Simpson, a late and distinguished historian—not your wise former colleague from Wyoming—cautioned regarding historical analogy that, “our present state of knowledge is one of mitigated ignorance. In such situations, the honest enquirer always has one consolation—his blunders may be as instructive as his successes.”
Bearing this warning in mind, the history of negotiations to prevent nuclear proliferation suggests interrelated five lessons.
The full text of the testimony may be downloaded below.
For more information on this publication:
Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation:
Tobey, William. “Lessons Learned from Past Negotiations to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation.” Testimony to United States Senate, Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 114th Congress, 1st Session, Washington, D.C., June 24, 2015.
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Report
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Arctic Climate Science: A Way Forward for Cooperation through the Arctic Council and Beyond
Analysis & Opinions
- Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
To Enhance National Security, the Biden Administration Will Have to Trim an Exorbitant Defense Wish List
Analysis & Opinions
- MIT Technology Review
Let’s Not Make the Same Mistakes with AI That We Made with Social Media
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Report
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Arctic Climate Science: A Way Forward for Cooperation through the Arctic Council and Beyond
Journal Article
- Research Policy
The Relationship Between Science and Technology
Analysis & Opinions
- New Straits Times
Gorbachev and the End of the Cold War
Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, distinguished members of the committee, it is an honor to speak with you on a matter of surpassing importance to U.S. national security.
Attempting to gain knowledge from experience in nonproliferation negotiations is a laudable goal, but one that is best approached with humility. Alan Simpson, a late and distinguished historian—not your wise former colleague from Wyoming—cautioned regarding historical analogy that, “our present state of knowledge is one of mitigated ignorance. In such situations, the honest enquirer always has one consolation—his blunders may be as instructive as his successes.”
Bearing this warning in mind, the history of negotiations to prevent nuclear proliferation suggests interrelated five lessons.
The full text of the testimony may be downloaded below.
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Report - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Arctic Climate Science: A Way Forward for Cooperation through the Arctic Council and Beyond
Analysis & Opinions - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
To Enhance National Security, the Biden Administration Will Have to Trim an Exorbitant Defense Wish List
Analysis & Opinions - MIT Technology Review
Let’s Not Make the Same Mistakes with AI That We Made with Social Media
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Report - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Arctic Climate Science: A Way Forward for Cooperation through the Arctic Council and Beyond
Journal Article - Research Policy
The Relationship Between Science and Technology
Analysis & Opinions - New Straits Times
Gorbachev and the End of the Cold War