This Week in DC: Events

Tuesday, March 4

Joint Subcommittee Hearing: Iran’s Support for Terrorism Worldwide
Date: March 4, 10:00am
Location: 2172 House Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC 20515

Chairman Ted Poe (R-TX) says, “Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism and a threat to peace and security not only in the Middle East, but around the globe. Using its Revolutionary Guard Corp, Iran funds, arms, trains, and commands terrorists worldwide. While it is most known for directing its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, Iran has also sponsored attacks in countries including India, Thailand, Georgia, Kenya, and even here at home in the United States. As the Administration negotiates with Iran over its nuclear program, we must not lose focus and forget Iran’s involvement in terrorism. This hearing will examine how to stop Iran’s proxy warfare.”

Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) says, “The Administration has asked the American people to put a lot of faith in it as it continues to negotiate with Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program, yet it continues to keep the details of the Joint Plan of Action shrouded in secrecy. To make matters worse, the Administration is asking the American public to trust that it can ensure that Iran plays by the rules, but we have 35 years of overwhelming evidence that tells us that Iran is simply untrustworthy.  And while all of the focus of these negotiations has been on Iran’s nuclear program, what has gone largely ignored is just how dangerous the Iranian regime truly is. Iran is the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism and it seeks to harm the U.S. and our allies at every turn, yet the Administration carries on as if Iran’s nuclear program exists in a vacuum – as if it is unrelated to Iran’s terror activities. This hearing will serve as an important reminder of the dangers of dealing with the rogue regime in Iran, and why it is absolutely critical that Congress continue to press for increased sanctions against Tehran until it completely dismantles its entire nuclear program.”

Witnesses for this committee hearing include:

• The Honorable Pete Hoekstra, Shillman Senior Fellow at The Investigative Project on Terrorism (Former Chairman of the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence)
• Matthew Levitt, Ph.D., Director and Fromer-Wexler Fellow Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
• Mr. J. Matthew McInnims, Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute

Nuclear Abolition and the Catholic Peace Tradition
Date: March 4, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Third Floor Conference Room, Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs at Georgetown University, 3307 M Street, Washington, DC 20007

At this welcome event, Fr. Drew Christiansen, S.J. will explain his work in the Berkley Center’s new Church and the World Program in light of his life as a Jesuit “on the boundary” between the Church and world. In particular, he will discuss Georgetown’s Catholic Nuclear Threat Initiative and its parallel sources in Catholic social teaching and in US policy. He will trace the roots of recent Catholic advocacy for abolition of nuclear weapons in Catholic theology, the Church’s commitment since Pacem in Terris to the promotion of human rights, and the Vatican’s “diplomacy of conscience.” RSVP required

Thursday, March 6

PONI Lunch with Brig. Gen. Jim Dawkins
Date: March 6, 12pm-1:30pm
Location: Room C-115, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 1616 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036

Please join the Project on Nuclear Issues for a lunch talk with Brigadier General Jim Dawkins, Jr. General Dawkins currently serves within the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Defense Programs as the Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application (PADAMA). He is responsible for maintaining global nuclear deterrence through effective planning, maintenance, and enforcement of a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear weapons stockpile and its associated materials, capabilities, and technologies. In his role as PADAMA, he serves as a bridge between the National Nuclear Security Administration and the DoD on joint nuclear operational and infrastructural matters, engaging in frequent dialogue with the various military services concerning weapons issues specific to each service and supporting related programming and budget matters pertinent to the NNSA and the DOD.

General Dawkins was commissioned in 1989 from Air Force Officer Training School. He has commanded at the wing, group and squadron level. Prior to his current position, he was the commander, 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, N.D.

General Dawkins will speak about his experiences across the nuclear enterprise and its challenges for the future at this off the record event. To attend, register here or contact Sarah Weiner at (202)741-3878 with questions.