Report Urges U.S. and Allies to Recommit to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation

“In the absence of U.S. leadership over the past four years, our allies are asking questions about the credibility of the American nuclear guarantee,” said project director Ivo Daalder, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. “A change in administration alone is unlikely to suffice in reestablishing U.S. credibility. The United States must do everything in its power to work with its allies to rebuild confidence in their joint framework for...

CHICAGO, 10/02/2021 (informazione.news - comunicati stampa - editoria e media)

“In the absence of U.S. leadership over the past four years, our allies are asking questions about the credibility of the American nuclear guarantee,” said project director Ivo Daalder, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. “A change in administration alone is unlikely to suffice in reestablishing U.S. credibility. The United States must do everything in its power to work with its allies to rebuild confidence in their joint framework for collective defense.”

“Recommitting to America's allies requires recommitting to nuclear deterrence,” said Hagel, former U.S. Secretary of Defense. “President Biden must reaffirm America's security commitments, reverse decisions that have harmed our relationships, and negotiate fair agreements that will ensure the U.S. can maintain troops in Europe and Asia.”

The report, “Preventing Nuclear Proliferation and Reassuring America's Allies,” is the product of the Task Force on U.S. Allies and Nuclear Weapons Proliferation, a group of 16 former U.S., European, and Asian foreign and defense ministers and other national security and defense advisers who have been working together for 12 months to develop specific recommendations.

Task force recommendations include:

“While Chinese ambitions are a threat to the security climate, China is an essential part of the conversation,” said Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia. “These first steps could make a significant difference in quelling allies' fears and coordinating deterrence efforts.”

“Britain and France have a critical role to play in helping Europe build up the nuclear dimension of its defense and security efforts,” said Rifkind, former U.K. Foreign Secretary and Secretary of Defense. “By recognizing European security and vital interests are inextricably linked, the two countries can begin to develop a strong, European-oriented nuclear deterrent capability.”

In addition to the cochairs, the task force membership consisted of:

Task Force Members

The task force cochairs and project director are available for interviews upon request. To coordinate, contact media@thechicagocouncil.org.