Nuclear arms control expert talks Russia-Ukraine, global threats, nonproliferation
NMC’s International Affairs Forum concludes its 29th season on Thursday, June 8, 6:30 PM at the Hagerty Center with a timely discussion on nuclear weapons and nonproliferation. IAF will welcome Thomas Countryman and moderator Jack Segal for this in-person event with livestream available.
Thomas Countryman is Chairman of the Board of the Arms Control Association. The ACA, founded in 1972, is a nonpartisan NGO which analyzes key security issues and advises the executive branch, Congress and the public on choices to promote global security and reduce the risk that weapons of mass destruction will be used. Countryman retired from the Senior Foreign Service in January 2017 after 35 years of service. At that time, he served simultaneously as acting Undersecretary for Arms Control, and as Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation, a position he held since September 2011. The ISN Bureau leads the US effort to prevent the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. After serving in Belgrade, Washington and Cairo, he advised Ambassador Albright on Middle East affairs at the US Mission to the United Nations, and was Director for Near East affairs at the National Security Council.
Jack Segal, a former senior U.S. diplomat and former IAF Board co-chair, will moderate the discussion. Segal has had a long career in arms control and nonproliferation. He served at the NSC as Director for Nonproliferation and Export Controls from 1999-2000. Prior to that, in Moscow, he was responsible for implementing a variety of arms control agreements. From 1986-87, he served as a State Department representative to the strategic weapons talks of the START negotiations with the USSR in Geneva. While there, he drafted the Agreement on Nuclear Risk Reduction with the USSR which was signed in 1987 and which continues to be honored by the U.S. and Russia today despite the current state of our relationship.
The event at the Hagerty Center is open to the public and will be available to livestream, including public Q & A. The event includes a welcome reception with light appetizers and cash bar at 5:30 PM.
The International Affairs Forum is a member-supported program of Northwestern Michigan College. The IAF's mission is to advance the understanding of the world's critical issues through education and public dialogue. Learn more about IAF programming, educational outreach, membership, and sponsorship at TCIAF.com.
