10th Anniversary of the Proliferation Security Initiative

The Bush administration created the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) ten years ago to improve global efforts to interdict shipments of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their dual-use components. This voluntary arrangement has primarily relied on bilateral shipboarding agreements and exercises to help improve responses to suspect shipments. Beginning with 11 "core” states, PSI now has 102 member states. Despite this, there are still gaps in the system. 

Recently, the Obama administration has declared its intention to turn PSI into a “durable international effort.” Please join our distinguished panel of speakers as we discuss how PSI has developed, and how it might move forward into the future. 

His Excellency Ryszard Schnepf
Ambassador of Poland to the United States of America

Rebecca K.C. Hersman
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction 

Vann H. Van Diepen
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation

Susan J. Koch
Distinguished Research Fellow of the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at the National Defense University

Moderated:

Sharon Squassoni
Director and Senior Fellow of the Proliferation Prevention Program at CSIS.

AGENDA

3:00-3:15 p.m. Welcome and Introduction Sharon Squassoni, Director and Senior Fellow, Proliferation Prevention Program at CSIS

3:15-3:30 p.m. Opening Statement by H.E. Ryszard Schnepf, Ambassador of Poland to the United States

3:30-3:45 p.m. Statement by Rebecca K.C. Hersman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction

3:45-4:00 p.m. Statement by Vann H. Van Diepen, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation

4:00-4:15 p.m. Statement by Susan J. Koch, Distinguished Research Fellow of the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at the National Defense University

4:15-4:35 p.m. Panel discussion moderated by Sharon Squassoni, Director and Senior Fellow, Proliferation Prevention Program at CSIS

4:35-5:00 p.m. Audience Question and Answer Session