Washington, DC – Foreign Policy for America urges the swift confirmation of Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, following her confirmation hearing tomorrow, Wednesday, April 28. As a valued member of our board from 2018 through 2021, we believe she will advance U.S. national security interests through diplomacy and effectively promote nuclear non-proliferation and arms control efforts, while capably stewarding the next generation of State Department leaders.
We’ve gathered brief statements of support from others in our community to bolster our recommendation that the Senate quickly confirm Ambassador Jenkins so that she can get straight to work:
“Ambassador Jenkins is one of the most respected experts in the field and a prudent selection for this critically important role. Foreign Policy for America has been proud — and very fortunate — to have had her serve on our board of directors over the past two years. I’m looking forward to seeing all the good she will do for our country in her new role.” – Andrew Albertson, Executive Director, Foreign Policy for America
“In our five years of working together at State, Ambassador Jenkins showed me that she has a deep understanding of America’s national security interests, creativity in establishing cooperative programs for threat reduction with our partners, and a readiness to stand tough in interactions with less cooperative partners. Her confirmation will allow the United States to move forward in reducing the risk posed to our national security by the nuclear weapons of our adversaries.” – Thomas Countryman, Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation (2011-2017)
“Ambassador Jenkins is a trailblazer who will bring deep expertise and experience to her new role at the State Department. She is exactly the kind of leader we need at this critical juncture for the United States.” – Michèle Flournoy, Co-founder and Managing Partner of WestExec Advisors and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
“I’ve known and worked with Bonnie for over two decades, and I’ve always admired her strong moral center and her focus on action. When I led the U.S. preparations for hosting and participating in all four Nuclear Security Summits under President Obama, Bonnie was right there with me at all the internal and international meetings, making sure the State Department’s contributions were effectively represented. She was also a key partner in leading the U.S. presence at the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction and in designing and promoting the Global Health Security Agenda. Bonnie has an extensive international network and a deep knowledge of how the U.S. Government should and can work, and she will make an outstanding Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs.” – Laura S. H. Holgate, Ambassador (ret.); former U.S. Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international organizations in Vienna, Austria; former Special Assistant to the President for WMD Terrorism and Threat Reduction, National Security Council
“Bonnie Jenkins represents a new generation of nonproliferation experts that will bring fresh ideas to both the problems we can see and those that we cannot. She is an exceptionally qualified diplomat and practitioner who will develop sound policy, implement it effectively, and explain it coherently to the American people.” – Lionel C. Johnson, Chairman, Foreign Policy for America
“With the U.S. set to initiate a strategic stability dialogue with Russia and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty due imminently for a major review, we need to get Ambassador Jenkins confirmed immediately. As Undersecretary, Bonnie Jenkins will also turn her talents to the challenges posed by engaging China, Weapons of Mass Destruction, bio security, emerging technologies, space, and much more. I have worked with Bonnie Jenkins in and out of government for more than a decade on disarmament, nonproliferation, and other issues. She has a career’s worth of experience in national security. Most importantly, she has the leadership, judgment, and character to step seamlessly into this key job.” – Amb. Laura Kennedy, former U.S. Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and FP4A Board member
“Over her extensive career inside and outside of government, including as a member of our Board of Directors, Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins has demonstrated a mastery of the skills of diplomacy, acquired a deep knowledge of the weapons-related security issues, and she has shown a remarkable ability to motivate and inspire others to work effectively together toward a common purpose. Her prompt confirmation as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs is essential to our nation’s ability to effectively address today’s complex array of global security challenges.” – Daryl G. Kimball, Executive Director, Arms Control Association
“I’ve had the distinct pleasure of serving on Foreign Policy for America’s Board of Directors with Ambassador Jenkins, and I know her vast experience and steadfast belief in the hard work of diplomacy will be a major asset for the State Department and for U.S. security policy at large.” – Amb. Dana Shell Smith, former Ambassador to Qatar, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, and FP4A Board member
“Ambassador Jenkins is one of the foremost experts in the field of nuclear security and couldn’t be more qualified to hold this role. I’ve been honored and have truly enjoyed serving on the FP4A Board alongside her. What really sets Ambassador Jenkins apart is her multi-year effort to amplify the voices of women of color in foreign policy discussions. Our field is stronger because of her leadership and those she’s mentored.” – Alex Toma, Executive Director of the Peace and Security Funders Group and FP4A Board member
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