The deal with Iran is truly historic; and questionable as to whether it will be kept, whether it will modify Iran’s foreign policy in any way, whether released funds will abet an expansionist policy pointing toward Iran becoming a regional hegemon, whether it will lead to a long-term U.S.-Iran accommodation and to the United States abandoning its present relationships in the region, and whether it may transform national relationships toward a more cooperative and peaceful order.  These and other elemental questions of politics and policies are lodged within the discussion of the Iran deal.  We are extraordinarily fortunate to be joined by a highly regarded authority who, over the past half dozen years, has been immersed in consideration of the process, policies and theoretical aspects of the extraordinary diplomatic effort.

Mr. Cirincione holds a B.A. degree from Boston College and a M.S. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.  He has worked on the professional staff of the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Government Operations, has held positions at the Henry L. Stimson Center, the U.S. Information Agency, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies; has served as Vice President for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress and Director for Non-Proliferation and International Security at the  Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.  He has been President of Ploughshares Fund since 2008; and teaches at the graduate school of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.  He also is a member of Secretary of State John Kerry’s International Security Advisory Board.

His most recent of several books is Nuclear Nightmares: Securing the World Before It Is Too Late.  He is the author of numerous articles on the control of nuclear weapons and disarmament. His commentaries have been featured in the most important print and electronic news avenues.

It is a very great pleasure to welcome Mr. Joseph Cirincione to the Council.