Events Detail

The Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) recently held a Roundtable on Interagency Reform discussing a case study on "U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement," by Patrick Mendis, PhD, and Leah Green

Click Here to view Dr. Mendis' presentation

Wednesday, July 16, 2008; 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

For more information please contact Richard Weitz at Weitz@hudson.org.

Location: Hudson Institute, Betsy and Walter Stern Conference Center, 1015 15th Street, N.W., 6th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005

The proposed U.S.-Indian civil nuclear cooperation accord represents a transformation in American nuclear nonproliferation policy.  By examining the policy shift and the security implications of the proposal, this case study illustrates the challenges of adjusting long-standing policy guidelines to conform with new strategic frameworks.  It also provides insight for future interactions in which broader strategic ties and policy goals transcend traditional security concerns.  The key concern of the proposed U.S.-India nuclear deal—balancing nonproliferation goals with other foreign policy objectives—is one that will remain relevant with respect to India even if the nuclear agreement falls through. 

Patrick Mendis is vice president for academic affairs at the Osgood Center for International Studies and a visiting scholar at the Johns Hopkins Foreign Policy Institute at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies.  Dr. Mendis is also an adjunct professor of diplomacy at Norwich University.  Leah Green is a graduate student at Norwich University's Masters of Arts in Diplomacy program. 

The Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) is a non-partisan initiative sponsored by the non-profit Center for the Study of the Presidency (CSP).  PNSR seeks to improve the U.S. Government's ability to integrate all elements of national power and more effectively respond to the strategic challenges of the 21st century.  Modeled on the historic effort that led to the Goldwater-Nichols legislation, PNSR has established nine working groups that are undertaking a rigorous study of the national security system.  Historical case studies constitute the first element of the study methodology.  These case studies will inform the analytic work of PNSR's other working groups by highlighting recurring trends in the way the U.S. national security system addresses complex national security problems.  Ultimately, PNSR will recommend changes to the National Security Act of 1947, presidential directives to implement other reforms, and new Congressional committee structures and practices.

Attendees at PNSR workshops may use the information as background, but may not identify the speaker, the other attendees, or PNSR itself or quote anything said at the event.

Richard Weitz, Ph.D., Leader

Case Studies Working Group

Project on National Security Reform