Stepping Back from the Edge of Darkness: Developing Sustainable Cooperative Threat Reduction Programs with Russia

Analysis of CTR programs remains incredibly pertinent today because these programs form the basis of development for new and emerging threat reduction activities. Nunn-Lugar’s reach has already spread beyond the former Soviet Union (FSU), so understanding the pitfalls in sustainability and how to avoid them has implications for future financial concerns and partner relationships. This analysis hopes to discover the key factors defining success or failure when considering the sustainability of Cooperative Threat Reduction programs. Furthermore, analysis of individual programs should reveal which aspects of those programs have proven successful or unsuccessful in reaching or closely approaching sustainability goals. Finally, based on the lessons of these past programs, how might the implementers of CTR programs develop new and future programs so as to ensure their sustainability from the start? Policy changes to implementation based on such analysis may help the U.S. step back from the edge of darkness and achieve sustainable programs that do not indefinitely draw on limited U.S. resources.