Combating Nuclear Terrorism: Overcoming the Senate Impasse

Politicians on both sides of the aisle can agree that nuclear terrorism is one of the greatest threats to U.S. national security. In June, the House of Representatives passed the Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act of 2012 in that spirit.

This bipartisan legislation would implement key requirements of the 2005 International Convention on the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ISCANT) and the essential 2005 amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM). However, the legislation has stalled in the Senate.

How would these two treaties strengthen America's ability to combat nuclear terrorism? How would U.S. ratification of the treaties impact the ratification processes in other countries? Why is U.S. leadership and diplomatic engagement on nuclear security essential to sustaining international support for securing vulnerable nuclear materials and preventing nuclear smuggling?

The Hudson Institute's Center for Political-Military Analysis—in conjunction with The Connect U.S. Fund—welcomed a distinguished panel to discuss the nuclear terrorism conventions, their importance, and the prospects for Senate approval.

For questions please contact Richard Weitz