What's New

May 17, 2013

Hungry for Justice at Guantanamo

May 16, 2013

Why the Disability Treaty Matters for A World Free of Nuclear Weapons

Last December, as senator after senator cast their vote on the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, advocates were stunned. What had gone wrong?

May 16, 2013

The Power of Strategic Lobbying: Lessons from the New START Treaty’s Ratification

At the beginning of 2010, FCNL didn’t expect to spend the year working to secure Senate ratification of the New START treaty, which reduces the number of deployed nuclear weapons in the U.S. and Russia and re-establishes a structure for mutual accountability.

May 16, 2013

3 Steps to a Treaty

Reaching agreement among many countries on how to address a global problem can take years—but international agreements are critical for making lasting change. Here are the steps a treaty goes through before it can take effect and how the U.S. can influence that process.

May 16, 2013

Talking About Treaties

Interdependence means that many of the problems facing our country today—climate change, illegal arms trafficking, the threat of nuclear terrorism, and more—cannot be solved by any one country acting alone. These problems can only be tackled by the international community acting together.

May 16, 2013

Working with the Rest of the World

Our country’s security is now tied more closely than ever to the security of the other nations. Political and economic power are at least as important as military power. Threats to common security come from transnational problems. In this context, the countries of the world need to work together.

May 16, 2013

Why Are We Still Paying For This?

Our country is preparing to spend more than $600 billion over the next decade to maintain and upgrade a nuclear weapons arsenal that was designed to fight the Cold War. It just doesn't make sense. Please urge your representative to support legislation to cut spending on nuclear weapons.

May 16, 2013

What's Going On with the Budget?

We have reason to celebrate, as Congress has accepted that Pentagon spending will be cut at least $500 billion in the next decade. But the debate still rages over whether to keep, reduce or entirely eliminate the other $500 billion in cuts. Read on to find out exactly what is going on and how we got here.

May 15, 2013

Promoting Military Spending Hurts Economy-Building Programs

Fox News

In prioritizing military spending, Congress is cutting the very programs that can actually strengthen our economy: Cutting federal assistance to the states, forcing them to lay off teachers, firefighters, and social workers; cutting opportunities for job creation, training, and placement programs; and eviscerating funding for children’s programs and assistance for seniors.

May 14, 2013

The Tipping Point? CO₂ Levels Pass 400 PPM

Atmospheric monitors announced that we now have a daily average of 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the air. This is significantly above anything scientists consider to be sustainable. Yes, this is depressing news, but let's use it as amplification for our loudest call yet to Congress to finally take action!

May 14, 2013

E-News: Momentum Is Building on Climate Change

Last week carbon dioxide concentrations in our atmosphere surpassed 400 parts per million—the highest levels found on our planet in more than 5 million years. This sobering news intensifies the need for Congress to take action on policies that will reduce carbon use.

May 14, 2013

Shaheen-Portman Advances!

May 13, 2013

Military Considers Nuclear Weapons Cuts

The Pentagon is looking at further reductions in deployed nuclear weapons and eliminating one leg of the triad.

May 13, 2013

HuffPo Covers Kate Gould on Iran Sanctions Draft

The Huffington Post

The Huffington Post's Matt Sledge covers FCNL's Kate Gould's analysis of an Iran sanctions bill draft being drafted by a bi-partisan group of senators, under the leadership of Sen. Mark Kirk (IL)

May 13, 2013

Troop Talks While Pakistan Votes

U.S. and Afghan officials met on Saturday to discuss issues surrounding the continued presence of American troops in the country after 2014, just days after President Hamid Karzai agreed to consider a Pentagon proposal to retain nine bases. To the east, Pakistan held its presidential elections over the weekend. Pakistan Muslim League –Nawaz’s Nawaz Sharif claims victory in the contest.

May 13, 2013

Taking human rights seriously in Nigeria

The Washington Post

Members of Congress and others should demand meaningful evaluations of U.S. security assistance’s efficacy and impact in all countries, before it’s too late.

May 13, 2013

Focus Afghan Policy on Politics & Economy

The Huffington Post

A long-term relationship with Afghanistan sits on the chopping block unless Congress has a change of heart. Investing in Afghanistan's political and economic future is not only in U.S. interests but can be done with significantly fewer resources than ongoing military operations.

May 10, 2013

Faith Leaders Call on Obama to Close Guantanamo

As the nation’s most visible and painful symbol of torture and indefinite detention, Guantanamo Bay is a constant reminder of a deep moral wound that will heal only when it is permanently closed.

May 10, 2013

Iran Leak Reveals Senate Push for Regime Change

The Huffington Post

Last month, Bloomberg reported that a bipartisan group of senators were drafting legislation that would impose Iran sanctions which could only be lifted if Iran moved toward "a free and democratically elected government." This dangerous push for regime change could set the stage for a costly and catastrophic war of choice against Iran.

May 9, 2013

E-News: Your Truth and Your Values

Just two months ago, FCNL’s new director of foreign policy, Michael Shank, was working as senior policy advisor and communications director in a congressional office, hearing daily from people like you about what is most important to them.

May 8, 2013

A Faith Reflection on the 2014 Federal Budget

The federal budget is a moral document that reflects and shapes our country’s priorities. Congress must craft the federal budget as a moral document to ensure that all are able to live in dignity and participate in the nation’s economy.

May 8, 2013

In Memoriam: Bob Edgar

May 8, 2013

Senators Question Pentagon Waste and Spending

This week, powerful senators from both major political parties suggested Pentagon cuts may stay in part because of the Pentagon's poor record of controlling spending.

May 8, 2013

Drones Researchers Uncover Serious Problems

Researchers from some of the United States' top legal programs have published in-depth analyses of the legal, strategic and ethical dimensions of the U.S. drones program.

May 8, 2013

Congressional Quarterly Notes Michael Shank's Arrival at FCNL

Congressional Quarterly

Congressional Quarterly notes Foreign Policy Director Michael Shank's arrival at the Friends Committee on National Legislation in their "CQ Weekly - On The Move" section on Monday, May 13, 2013.

May 6, 2013

Wallingford, PA - Young Adult Friends Conference

Annie Boggess, program assistant for strategic advocacy, will attend the Young Adult Friends Conference at Pendle Hill.

May 6, 2013

Smithfield, RI - New England Yearly Meeting

Matt Southworth, legislative associate on foreign policy, and Barbara Monahan, associate executive secretary for development, will attend New England Yearly Meeting.