System combat for wmd. They sponsor strategic dialogues. And the grant was awarded for the fiscal year 2014, right. So in about october 2013 things were a lot different than they are today in terms of the u. S. Russia relationship. The objectives initially were to explore really verification modalities. If you were actually able to sit down, officially with the russians and negotiate an armed control agreement to limit Nonstrategic Nuclear weapons, how would you go about it and what verification would you think about. Of course, this changed over time. And initially the First Agreement was to sort of set the groundwork and the second meeting was supposed to look at very hardcore issues of an agreement. Instead, what we had was russias annexation of crimea, the u. S. State Department Verification Compliance Report where the First Official alleviations of russian violations of the treaty and we had sanctions as well know and implementation was moving along. Maybe a little bit more slowly
Hi would guess that we were the tweet Baltic States that were not Member States you wouldnt have little green men. Creating mischief in those countries. You also have russian boot on the ground. Let me stop on that one point that you raised. I would network to get aaron says, when we took seven to countries in november of 2002, the russians were very unhappy but we had lots of conversations with president putin and his staff and we created the Russia Councils subsequent to that and we began to work with russia, the ambassador at brussels and we tried to work with him on big security issues. We did not try to exclude russia. We tried to bring them in. I want to ask another question. You mentioned it. Do you think president putin may intend to confront nato in the Baltic States . You mentioned the theoretical possibility. Would he try to would he try any initiative that would weaken natos article 5 commitment in the next year or two . Is it possible . It would depend on his calculation,
Israel or in afghanistan. I think its important to understand the extent to which common interest between societies can be explored. President of palm has clearly invested a lot of Political Capital in his talks i think the opposite is true that president rouhani has invested even more in the negotiations. Is this a make or break moment for him . What are the implications if there is or isnt a deal for the future of the rest of his term and what are the effects of the other issues like human rights . I think for mr. Rouhani it is not what i would call a break or make but if this were to fail in a very negative way it clearly would undermine his decision. His agenda on these other issues on advancing social development and rights would really have to be put on the back burner. Its unclear what would happen to the foreign minister who is the public face of the negotiations whether or not he could survive a failure in talks. But beyond that i think it wouldnt spell the end to mr. Rouhani
Each other come it is easier to save note has come to a test so to signal the willingness to sending a letter had that calculation to prove but now it is time for iran to also be serious. Three or four letters sent what about on syria . But iran has not participated in the geneva conferences with the information in with that background and then including iran and the process . With that background noise with that will tie Lateral Group and i can understand the political difficulties include the area and at that point but i do think most of come to the conclusion that a political settlement cannot be reached without participation and in some way but the geneva process is the right forum for the u. S. To be engaging on the subject and it could actually happen before the new deal is completed. But signals from iran on this issue, to put forward the 4. Plan and it closely matches will we have been hearing what they said about what needed to be done to reach us settlement. In there is a lot
The findings of her most recent research delivering on the u. S. Climate commitment a 10point plan toward a lowcarbon future you can download the complete Research Report that wri. Org publication. About us wr i is a global nonprofit Nongovernmental Organization that works closely with World Leaders to address urban global challenges at the intersection of Economic Development and the natural environment. At the u. S. Climate Initiative Program within wri we use vigorous independent research and Strategic Partnerships to help advance the United States transition to a strong, low Carbon Economy. And up front i want to thank the Research Team of the u. S. Climate initiative i completed a study that we are here to discuss today. And if i could have them stand. Karl hausker lead authors of this Research Study and the author and michael eric thank you very much for your work. [applause] we are focused on this issue because of the need to address Climate Change, and urgent need to address Cl