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Containing Russia’s Nuclear Firebirds: Harmony and Change at the International Science and Technology Center

In Containing Russia’s Nuclear Firebirds, Glenn E. Schweitzer explores the life and legacy of the International Science and Technology Center in Moscow. He makes the case that the center’s unique programs can serve as models for promoting responsible science in many countries of the world. Andrew Weber, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs, U.S. Department of Defense,Andrew Hood, Special Assistant/Senior Advisor to the Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), U.S. Department of Energy, and Sergey Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States provided discussion. Please note: Assistant Secretary Weber and Senior Advisor Hood spoke in their personal capacities at this event.

Date & Time

Thursday
Mar. 14, 2013
4:00pm – 5:30pm ET

Location

6th Floor, Woodrow Wilson Center
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Overview

Cosponsored by Los Alamos National Laboratory

In Containing Russia’s Nuclear Firebirds, Glenn E. Schweitzer explores the life and legacy of the International Science and Technology Center in Moscow. He makes the case that the center’s unique programs can serve as models for promoting responsible science in many countries of the world.

Never before have scientists encountered technology with the potential for such huge impacts on the global community, both positive and negative. For nearly two decades following the Soviet Union’s breakup into independent states, the ISTC has provided opportunities for underemployed Russian weapon scientists to redirect their talents toward civilian research. The center has championed the role of science in determining the future of civilization and has influenced nonproliferation policies of Russia and other states in the region. Most important, the center has demonstrated that modest investments can encourage scientists of many backgrounds to shun greed and violence and to take leading roles in steering the planet toward prosperity and peace.

Schweitzer contends that the United States and other western and Asian countries failed to recognize the importance, over time, of modifying their donor-recipient approach to dealing with Russia. In April 2010 the Russian government announced that it would withdraw from the ISTC agreement. After expenditures exceeding one billion dollars, the ISTC’s Moscow Science Center will soon close its doors, leaving a legacy that has benefited Russian society as well as partners from thirty-eight countries. Schweitzer argues that a broader and more sustained movement is now needed to help prevent irresponsible behavior by dissatisfied or misguided scientists and their patrons.

Andrew Weber, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs, U.S. Department of Defense; Andrew Hood, Special Assistant/Senior Advisor to the Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), U.S. Department of Energy; and Sergey Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States provided discussion. Please note: Assistant Secretary Weber and Senior Advisor Hood spoke in their personal capacities at this event.

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Kennan Institute

The Kennan Institute is the premier US center for advanced research on Russia and Eurasia and the oldest and largest regional program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Kennan Institute is committed to improving American understanding of Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the surrounding region though research and exchange.  Read more

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