Top national security experts offer fresh insight on topics from nuclear terrorism to U.S.-Russia relations.

The following experts are available for interviews on the immediate challenges President-elect Obama will face, and the prospects for transforming national security policies in an Obama presidency – in particular, his commitment to establishing the U.S. as a leader in building a nuclear weapon-free world.

Calls Ballistic Missile Defense “The Longest Running Scam in the History of the Department of Defense”

WASHINGTON, DC: In his first day as president of Ploughshares Fund, Joseph Cirincione warned Congress of inflated threats, inflated capabilities and inflated budgets in the $12.3 billion administration request this year for anti-ballistic missile weapons. In testimony before the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, Cirincione presented a detailed analysis showing that the record-breaking budget request comes at a time of steady decline in the threat posed by ballistic missiles.

Defense expert becomes president of global security foundation.

SAN FRANCISCO (2/20/2008) – Ploughshares Fund today named Joseph Cirincione, a highly-regarded policy expert and Capitol Hill veteran, as its new president. “At a moment of unprecedented opportunity to foster fundamental changes in the direction of U.S. nuclear weapons policy,” said board chairman Roger Hale, “we are fortunate and delighted to welcome someone of Joe’s stature and intellect into the leadership of this organization.”

Ploughshares Fund is a public grantmaking foundation that supports initiatives to prevent the spread and use of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, and to prevent conflicts that could lead to the use of these weapons.