The Next Arms Race – A Conversation with Tom Countryman
December 4th, 2023 12:00PM -1:00PM
Join the World Affairs Council for a luncheon program as we welcome Tom Countryman, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, for a conversation on the new arms race, the persistent risk of a nuclear exchange, and the future of arms control and nonproliferation.
About the Speaker
Tom Countryman is an expert on nuclear security and a distinguished diplomat currently holding a position on the board of the internationally recognized NGO the Arms Control Association. Mr. Countryman was the acting undersecretary of state for arms control and international security. He served for 35 years as a member of the U.S. Foreign Service until January 2017, achieving the rank of minister-counselor, and was appointed in October 2016 to the position of acting undersecretary of state. He simultaneously served as assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation, a position he had held since September 2011.
After 34 years in foreign service with tours in Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Athens, Rome, and the Balkans, Mr. Countryman was relieved of service in 2017 and joined the Arms Control Association. He has since been elected as chairman of the ACA and continues to serve, “promoting public understanding of and support for effective arms control policies”.