India's Prime Minister Supports Nuclear Disarmament
New Delhi, India

New Delhi, India -- The Prime Minister spoke at a conference, "Towards a World Free of Nuclear Weapons," called to mark the 20th anniversary of the Rajiv Gandhi Action Plan to eliminate nuclear weapons, presented to the United Nations in 1988 when Rajiv Gandhi was India's Prime Minister.

The conference was sponsored by two of India's most prestigious bodies, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and the Indian Council of World Affairs. Among the invited presenters were Hon. Douglas Roche, O.C., Chairman of the Middle Powers Initiative, and Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute.

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NATO and the Future Role of Nuclear Weapons: Seminar at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
German Parliament
Event Report
Berlin, Germany

On May 25, 2008, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation held a seminar at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Berlin on NATO and the Future Role of Nuclear Weapons with particular focus on steps that would support the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) leading up to its review in 2010.

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PM Gordon Brown and President Gorbachev Discuss Wide Range of Issues: Report from GSI President Jonathan Granoff, an IPB Representative to the Nobel Laureate Summit
February 29, 2008

On January 28, 2008, President Mikhail Gorbachev and I were hosted to breakfast and a private meeting with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown, at No. 10 Downing Street. The meeting was divided into two distinct parts. The first hour included Tom Fletcher, Private Secretary to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs, and myself. The second hour was only President Gorbachev and the Prime Minister.

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Amplifying the Moral and Practical Missions of the United Nations: Parliamentarians, diplomats and engaged citizens working to abolish nuclear weapons
Event Report
United Nations, New York
October 11, 2007

“What’s a model have to do with nuclear weapons?” asked Christie Brinkley, speaking at a panel event on the subject at the United Nations on October 11. 

Ms. Brinkley, however, is not just a model, or even a supermodel.  She was one of the engaged, informed, and empowered women speaking at a special panel event hosted by the Global Security Institute (GSI) and the Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament (PNND) entitled “Amplifying the Moral and Practical Missions of the United Nations: Parliamentarians, diplomats and engaged citizens working to abolish nuclear weapons.”

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Weapons in Space and the Disarmament/Non-Proliferation Regime
Event Report by Rhianna Tyson, Program Officer
Vienna, Austria
May 9, 2007

GSI, in collaboration with the Secure World Foundation and the Government of Sweden, hosted a panel on outer space security during the NPT PrepCom in Vienna, May 9, 2007. Panelists included Dr. Hans Blix, Chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, Dr. Patricia Lewis, Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research and Ambassador (Ret.) Robert Grey, Jr., Director of the Bipartisan Security Group.

Click here for the electronic PDF version of the report

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GSI and BSG Events in Washington, DC: Consultations with Members of Congress and a Showcase Panel at the American Bar Association
Washington, DC
May 3-4, 2007

On May 3 and 4, 2007, a delegation comprised of Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr., Chairman of the Bipartisan Security Group, Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute, and Dr. Hans Blix, Chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, advocated timely policies on international security in the US Congress and to the International Law Section of the American Bar Association.

Click here for the electronic PDF version of the report

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Advancing Cooperative Security in Space: A lunchtime consultation
Event Report by Rhianna Tyson, Program Officer
New York, NY
February 9, 2007

New York, New York - On February 9, 2007, the Global Security Institute (GSI) hosted a consultation in its New York office, entitled “Advancing Cooperative Security in Space.” Over 25 nations participated in this first of a series of such consultations, which facilitate discussion amongst interested governments and experts on advancing a cooperative regime in outer space and preventing a celestial arms race.

Moderated by GSI President Jonathan Granoff, this first consultation featured presentations by Ambassador Robert Grey, Jr., Director of the Bipartisan Security Group and former US ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, and Dr. Jürgen Scheffran, a Senior Research Scientist in the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and co-founder of the International Network of Engineers and Scientists Against Proliferation. Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, Mr. Nobuaki Tanaka, provided the opening remarks.

Click here for the electronic PDF version of the report

GSI Experts Testify Before Congress
Event Report by Adam Nester, GSI
Washington, DC
September 26, 2006

Washington, DC - On September 26, 2006 a hearing was held by the in House Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations entitled “Weapons of Mass Destruction: Current Nuclear Proliferation Challenges.”

Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr. and Jonathan Granoff, Global Security Institute testified as members of an expert panel on nuclear weapons proliferation, international law, and current nuclear crises. The panels brought internationally and nationally recognized figures in the fields of nuclear technology and nuclear weapons proliferation.

Click here for the electronic PDF version of the report

United Nations, NY - On October 11, 2006 a panel convened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York entitled The United Nations and Security. The purpose of the panel was to bring experts and practitioners in the fields of development, human rights, gender equity, disarmament, and the rule of law together legislators and representatives from UN member countries to discuss the core agenda of the UN and advance conceptions of an integrated security agenda.

United Nations, New York - On October 11, 2005, The Global Security Institute and the (Space Security Index (SSI)) co-hosted an event at the United Nations, entitled Space Security: Core Issues and Questions. Intended to explore core issues to the ongoing debate, the panel discussion examined both technical and policy relevant issues. The event was co-chaired by Ambassador Thomas Graham on behalf of the SSI, and Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute. Panelists included: Phil Coyle of the Center for Defense Information; former Canadian Ambassador on Disarmament and Chair of the Group of 78, Peggy Mason; Dr. Lucy Stojak of the Institute for Air and Space Law at McGill University; and Mr. Detlev Wolter, Vice-Chairman of the First Committee and Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations.

To watch the event, please click here

To watch the morning press conference, please click here

To view a United Nations report about the press conference, please click here

United Nations, New York – On May 24th, the Global Security Institute presented a panel of outstanding experts whose unique experiences at the center of the nuclear weapons crisis qualify them to offer insights for the future. Robert McNamara, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Ted Sorensen, former Special Counsel and Advisor to President Kennedy, and Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr., a senior U.S. diplomat and current Chairman of the Bipartisan Security Group, addressed several hundred people –including NPT delegates, NGO experts, and concerned citizens – on “Lessons for the Future from the Crucible of Experience.” Global Security Institute President, Jonathan Granoff, moderated the panel.

Read the UN Press Briefing

On May 9th, the Global Security Institute, in partnership with The Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission and the Simons Foundation, organized events at the United Nations featuring Dr. Hans Blix, Chairman of the WMD Commission, Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA), and Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA). Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute, served as moderator of the guest panel, which offered a substantive and lively discussion on the subject of “U.S. Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Goals: Honoring the Balance.”

From 10-13 November, twenty-three Nobel peace laureates and laureate organizations met in Rome, Italy for the 5th Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. As in previous years, their annual Summit was organized by the Gorbachev Foundation and co-hosted by former Soviet President and Peace Nobel Laureate, Mikhail Gorbachev, and the Mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni. Under the theme, “A United World or Divided World?,” the laureates focused on identifying core values and policies that would help political leaders and activists around the world promote human rights, strengthen multi-ethnicity, eradicate terrorism, and stop the new arms race.

From 10-13 November, twenty-five Nobel Peace Laureates and their organizations met in Rome, Italy to consider vital issues of multi-ethnicity, human rights and terrorism under the theme of a divided world or a united world.

This, the 5th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, was organized by the Gorbachev Foundation and hosted by the Mayor of Rome. It focused the wisdom and experience of Nobel Laureates on key issues of concern today, and sought to increase the communication and collaboration between Nobel Peace Laureates in order to strengthen their individual and collective contribution to world peace.

This has been a year of struggle, war and extraordinary efforts by those who yearn for a world at peace. Despite many set backs, especially the US government’s promotion of new nuclear weapons and doctrines that lower the threshold for use, world opinion is clearly converging on a consensus that abhors all weapons of mass destruction and confirms that war is not an answer to security concerns. Working to end the scourge of war and terrorism, eliminating nuclear weapons, and bringing leadership back onto a course that promises a sustainable future is our collective passion. Men and women with the capacity to inspire and lead are so valuable at this time. I am pleased to share a short report that centers on such people.

In these troubled times, it is good to announce something positive and uplifting. There are leaders who raise our vision. Many are gathering at the 4th World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in Rome November 27-30, 2003.

Three members of our Global Security Institute team -- former United Nations Under Secretary General Jayantha Dhanapala, Advisor to the Middle Powers Initiative (MPI), Senator Douglas Roche, O.C., Chairman of MPI, and myself -- will compose the delegation of an MPI member organization, the International Peace Bureau (IPB) at the Summit. The IPB is a Nobel Laureate organization and we are extremely honored to represent them at this important meeting.

Washington, DC—On October 2, the House of Representatives Bipartisan Task Force on Non-Proliferation, in cooperation with the Bipartisan Security Group (BSG), hosted a special session titled, “Limits of Unilateralism.”

Addressing an overflow crowd in the Committee on Government Reform room of the Rayburn House Office Building, keynote speakers Dr. Jane Goodall, Michael Douglas, and BSG Chairman Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr., stressed the need for collaboration in dealing with global security threats. Representatives Edward Markey (D-MA) and Christopher Shays (R-CT), co-chairs of the House Task Force, co-hosted the event, with Global Security Institute President Jonathan Granoff serving as moderator.

Photo: Grey, Graham, Granoff, Markey, Gottemoeller, Holum

WASHINGTON, DC--On June 18, the Bipartisan Security Group (BSG) held a Capitol Hill briefing on the central role of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and obtaining their ultimate elimination. Stressing the Treaty's successful track record over the past 30 years, the panel offered recommendations on how to pursue multilateral security post the Iraqi war.

SAN FRANCISCO—“Vision and Voice,” a new GSI short film, celebrated its debut at San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel during the April 12th Alan Cranston Peace Award Ceremony, which honored Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.

The 400 guests at the gala, including actors Pierce Brosnan and Peter Coyote, praised the video as one of the highlights of the evening. The fast paced and informative six minute film is now available to download and share from the Global Security Institute website (http://www.gsinstitute.org/gsi/about.html).

Photo: Amb. James Leonard, Suzanne Spaulding, Prof. Barry Kellman, Hon. Ed Markey, Jonathan Granoff. Photo by N. Kjellberg.

WASHINGTON, DC—The Bipartisan Security Group organized a Capitol Hill panel discussion on biological weapons dangers. It was hosted by the Congressional Bipartisan Task Force on Non-Proliferation on March 25. Congressmen Ed Markey (D-MA) and Chris Shays (R-CT) later sent letters to Administration officials including John Ashcroft, Condoleeza Rice, Tom Ridge and Tommy Thompson, calling for specific policies to strengthen the legal prohibitions related to biological weapons.

Photo: R. McNamara, K. Campbell, S. Spaulding, J. Granoff, R. Grey

On January 9, 2003, former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara joined Jonathan Granoff and a high-level panel of GSI senior advisors for an animated discussion of nuclear security issues before a group of eighty top bay area executives at the St. Francis Yacht Club. The successful event was organized by the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO). Panelists included former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell, who recently joined the steering committee of GSI's Middle Powers Initiative, as well as Ambassador Robert Grey and Suzanne Spaulding, who are members of the Washington-based Bipartisan Security Group, a program of the Global Security Institute.

Photo: Nassau Hall, Princeton University

On December 11, 2002 Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School hosted a
Community Forum: "What's Next in Iraq? Is War Inevitable?"

The Panel Discussion was moderated by Dean Anne-Marie Slaughter. Panelists included: Michael Doran, Assistant Professor of Near Eastern Studies; Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute; Frank N. von Hippel, Professor of Public and International Affairs; Co-Director, Program on Science and Global Security; Paul R. Krugman, Professor of Economics and International Affairs.

Download the full streaming video of the event (RealPlayer):
- Princeton Iraq Forum

From October 19-20, 2002, the City of Rome hosted the 3rd World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.

Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute, and Senator Douglas Roche, Chairman of the Middle Powers Initiative (a program of GSI) represented the International Peace Bureau, a Nobel Laureate organization. During the conference, Granoff and Roche convened and co-chaired an "Extraordinary Session" of Nobel Peace Laureates to discuss concrete responses that could be taken against the emerging doctrine characterized as Unilateral Militarism.

By Nadine M. Kjellberg

July 18, 2002—WASHINGTON, DC—Addressing a spill over crowd of congressional staffers and religious representatives in the Cannon House Office Building of the U.S. Congress, Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute, called on the United States to apply common sense to the security crises of South Asia.

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KA) and Jonathan Granoff, President, GSI

During the two weeks of the Preparatory Committee (April 8-19, 2002) for the upcoming 2005 Review of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty*, the Global Security Institute held several events at the United Nations for delegates, non-governmental organizations and the public.

HAVERFORD, PA: In a two-day event, organized by the Global Security Institute, convened by primatologist and GSI Advisor Jane Goodall, and chaired by GSI President Jonathan Granoff, more than 800 people gathered at Haverford College, near Philadelphia, to focus on how awakening a sense of global responsibility can help us to address the challenges we face as a global community.

PHILADELPHIA: On the eve of the Bush Administration's December 3 test of an anti-ballistic missile interceptor, a group of experts gathered in Philadelphia's Friends Conference Center for a conference addressing the implications of missile defense on the development and deployment of offensive weapons in space.

UNITED NATIONS -- Delivering a clarion call for nuclear disarmament, former US Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara was the focal point of back-to-back sessions at the United Nations on October 17, 2001, including a high level luncheon for key ambassadors and a public presentation before an overflow crowd at the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--From June 10-13, 2001, Project Abolition, a coalition of non-profit organizations promoting security through nuclear disarmament, worked with the Nuclear Disarmament Partnership to organize a press conference, Congressional education program, and rally attended by several hundred activists from across the nation. The Project Abolition coalition includes the Fourth Freedom Forum, Global Security Institute, The Nation Institute, Peace Action, Peace Links, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Women's Action for New Directions, and is a project of the Global Security Institute.

In order to stimulate discussion of past nuclear crises and current nuclear risks, the Global Security Institute hosted a screening of Thirteen Days, the critically acclaimed film about the Cuban Missile Crisis, on March 7 at the United Nations. Participants included over 225 ambassadors and mission representatives from dozens of countries and many NGO representatives.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: On February 6th, the GSI hosted an exclusive screening of Thirteen Days for the U.S. Congress. The screening of the critically acclaimed drama about the Cuban Missile Crisis was held in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress, and arranged in cooperation with the film’s producers, Lawyers Alliance for World Security, and Representatives Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Christopher Shays (R-CT), co-chairs of the House of Representatives Bipartisan Task Force on Non-proliferation.

The Global Security Institute had a smooth transition of leadership in the wake of founder Senator Alan Cranston’s death on New Year’s Eve. The Board of Directors elected Jonathan Granoff as GSI President, and Kim Cranston, Senator Cranston’s son, as Chairman of the Board. Pat Patterson now serves as the new President of the Board, and Colette Penne Cranston has joined the Board of Directors. In the absence of Senator Cranston’s physical presence, the Board and Staff of GSI are rededicated to his legacy of effective action.

Without first increasing public awareness of nuclear dangers, progress in eliminating them is unlikely. For several years, Senator Cranston and Jonathan Granoff have worked extensively with veteran Sixty Minutes II producer George Crile, whose documentary segments reflect expertise on and sensitivity to nuclear affairs. In the spring of 1999, Sixty Minutes II aired Crile’s segment, "The Hidden City," which told the story of a secret Russian city which had produced plutonium throughout the Cold War, and was unable to stop without causing its citizens freeze to death in the Siberian winter. Meanwhile, security systems were weakening and the danger of plutonium theft increased. The segment aired several times throughout the year.

On June 21, 2000, religious and military leaders issued a call through Washington National Cathedral for the elimination of nuclear weapons. The Call by Military and Religious Leaders, endorsed by 18 retired flag-rank military officials and 21 heads of America’s pre-eminent religious denominations and organizations, states: “National security imperatives and ethical demands have converged to bring us to the necessity of outlawing and prohibiting nuclear weapons worldwide.”

On January 26-27, 2000, the Middle Powers Initiative and The Carter Center co-sponsored the Atlanta Consultation on the Future of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The purpose was to serve as a forum for groups to share thoughts on the challenges facing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and, as David Krieger of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Jim Wurst of MPI reported, "to seek common ground for... policies and programs that will preserve and strengthen the regime and further the goal of nuclear arms control and the reduction and eventual elimination of nuclear dangers."