by Cheryl Rofer
I spent Thursday and Friday last week in a workshop on “What Role, If Any, For Nuclear Weapons? (And Just How Many, If Any, Are Needed?).” The workshop was generously sponsored by the University of New Mexico’s Center for Science, Technology and Policy. Andy Ross took up the directorship of that center about two years ago, and this is his first big splash.
And a highly successful one it was. He had the good taste to hold it at Santa Ana Pueblo’s Hyatt Regency Tamaya, which provided a delicious variety of New Mexico-themed foods, including an afternoon spread that far outshone the usual conference chocolate-chip cookies.
But I would judge it a success far beyond the food. The discussions were stimulating and raised new ways of looking at the problems. I will try to post on some of them: the nuclear taboo, including the non-use of nuclear weapons; what does deterrence mean; and how should the public be involved in policy discussions. I’ll link to those topics as I post them
The Chatham House rule was in force, so I will synthesize, liberally throwing in my own ideas. It won’t be straight reporting. But you should know that I’m also stealing from other participants. I’ll add the usual disclaimer that errors and missteps are my own.
Many thanks to Andy!