Christopher ford is the assistant secretary of state for International Security and nonproliferation. He talked about Nuclear Security policy at the Stimson Center. Some other of the topics included Nuclear Terrorism prevention, efforts to denuclearize north korea, and chinas role in fostering Nuclear Security in the region. Well, ladies and gentlemen, a very good afternoon to all of you and welcome to the Stimson Center. My name is brian finlay. Im president and ceo here at the Stimson Center. For those attending this very event for the very second time, many apologies. It was not, as you may have assumed, our speakers agenda that caused the cancellation, but an exploding manhole. We started paying our bills yet the Stimson Center again and were back in business and very pleased to be welcoming dr. Christopher ford back to the stage. Chris, for those of you in the know, is of course the assistant secretary of state for International Student and nonproliferation. Chris previously has d
Christopher ford is a assistant secretary of state for International Security and nonproliferation. He talked about Nuclear Security policy at the Stimson Center. Some other of the topics included Nuclear Terrorism prevention, efforts to denuclearize north korea and chinas role in fostering Nuclear Security in the region. Ladies and gentlemen, a very good afternoon to all of you and welcome to the Stimson Center my name is brian finlay, im president and ceo here at the Stimson Center. For those attending this event for the very second time, many apologies, it was not as you may have assumed our speakers agenda that caused the cancellation, but an exploding we started paying our bills yet the Stimson Center again and were back in business and very pleased to be welcoming dr. Christopher ford back to the stage. Chris, for those of you in the know, is of course the assistant secretary of state for International Student and nonproliferation. Chris previously has done a tour on President Tr
Stints in. For those of you that are attending this very event for the second time. Many apologies and it was not as you may have assumed our speakers agenda i cause that cancellation but an exploding manhole but we are paying our bills at the Stanton Center and back at business and very pleased to be welcoming doctor chris ford back to the stage. Chris for those of you in the no and the assistant secretary of state for enough security for International Security and nonproliferation. He talked about Nuclear Security yes laughs chris is going to give a few remarks and will be time for us to ask some clarifying questions but with that chris, welcome back to stance in. Big applause thanks, brian. Its great to be back here. I applaud your persistence after last time, and rescheduling this after the explosion. It sounds so dark. Its i could not that bad. Those of you who been around washington that long i have remember there was a series of exploding manholes in georgetown back in the 90s.
On President Trumps nfc and worked previously on capitol hill at the hudson institute, Naval Reserve but most importantly is an allaround great guy and im sure this conversation will be fun but fun fact he is from cincinnati almost a finley market and not bad. No relation. [inaudible conversations] [laughter] we thought chris would give a few framing remarks and then leave time for us to ask clarifying questions but with that chris, welcome back. [applause] thank you, brian. Great to be back here. I applaud your persistence after last time and rescheduling this after the explosion that sounded so dire but its not that bad. Those whove been around washington will remember there is a series of exploding manholes in georgetown in the mid 1990s or so and that problem has not entirely gone away. Thanks for keeping at it and those were willing to come back. Its been nearly ten years since the last Nuclear Security summit was held here in washington dc and they have been three more after that
Has the white house engaged with your Advisory Panel and do you think, i shouldnt say that does it understand the major problems that exist in the Nuclear Security enterprise . And do you think the president understands it, the gravity of it . Gravity of it. That is difficult question, mr. Franks for us to answer. It is. Clearly the nation, not just this administration but over a period of years we gradually let our nuclear capability, degrade. The, i would come back to your initial remarks deterrence is in the eye of the beholder as you know. I do. When other nations come to the conclusion that our deterrent is not what we say it is then were in great danger and one of the worst things we could do of course is state we have plans that we dont provide the resources, the management capability to carry them out. If that, if we cant afford more, we need to change the plan but to have plans that dont much the resours is probably the worst of all worlds. Once again as we, weve visited in gr