Over a year ago I joined the State Department’s International Security Advisory Board (ISAB), which provides the Department with independent insight and advice on all aspects of arms control, disarmament, international security, and related aspects of public diplomacy.
It conducts detailed research and study into some of the big issues facing our country. One such issue is our relationship with Russia and the Russian people.
If you want an honest, up-to-date report on this issue, I encourage you to read one of ISAB’s latest publications: U.S.-Russia Relations
After over a year’s worth of work by a very distinguished board, you’ll find a report that doesn’t whitewash anything – be it Putin, Ukraine, or nuclear weapons. I found it refreshing and professional, and encourage you to read it in its entirety.
Recommendations include responding to the correct Russian actions in Ukraine, strategic stability and nuclear weapons, and how to take forward official and non-official engagement.
Key for me were three recommendations:
Ensure the reliability and will of NATO are not called into question and that Russia does not doubt that the United States would live up to its North Atlantic Treaty Article 5 responsibilities in case of aggression
When it is once again appropriate to seek expanded cooperation and engagement with the Russian Federation consider the following areas: expanded space cooperation, bilateral cooperation in the Arctic, expanded cooperation in science, enhanced commercial cooperation, cooperation with respect to climate change; joint research to develop U.S.-Russian cooperation in strategic stability and security, altered and expanded nuclear security cooperation, expanded cooperation in counter-terrorism and revitalized cooperation under the NATO- Russia Founding Act.
And:
Ensure some form of strategic arms control remains in effect after the expiration of New START. At a minimum seek to extend New START in order to retain the important transparency it provides.
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