Remembering Michael Krepon
Our community is deeply saddened at the passing of Michael Krepon, co-founder of the Stimson Center and a tireless advocate for international peace and security.
Michael was an internationally renowned leader in the fight to prevent nuclear war and an eloquent advocate for pragmatic ways to reduce the threat that nuclear weapons pose to our civilization. For those who had the benefit of knowing him, he was a friend and mentor, a voice of conscience and kindness, and a stalwart advocate for the organization that has continued his legacy of leadership.
As one of the original Stimson board members, I was present at the creation and retain indelible memories of Michael's entrepreneurial vision, unwavering persistence and genuine commitment to furthering the Stimson mission. Along with Barry, he played an indispensable role in building and sustaining the institution. All this, of course, in addition to his own prolific research and writing that have influenced so many policy makers and thought leaders over these many years. Michael's legacy is timeless, and he is owed an incalculable debt of gratitude.
Roger Leeds
Michael has a unique way of seeing people and building their confidence. He brings a sense of mission to the people working with or around him. He is always eager to hear what younger scholars have to say and sees the value in what others might consider untraditional analysis. For us younger scholars, who are usually awed and daunted by the depth of the knowledge from veterans like Michael, his encouragement comes not only as a push of support, but also as a sense of mandate by responsibility.
Yun Sun
It is hard to overstate the impact Michael Krepon has had on a whole generation of nuclear scholars — particularly those, like me, who came of age with India and Pakistan's 1998 nuclear tests and the birth of a delicate nuclear subsystem in Southern Asia that few in the United States were equipped to understand, let alone manage.
Vipin Narang
Michael Krepon's contribution to preventing nuclear conflict is immense and legendary. So too are his contributions to offering a vision, building community, and inspiring others to join the effort to prevent conflicts. I know because I have experienced and seen his impact for more than 30 years. And my hunch is that there are hundreds of people like me who are deeply affected by all he has offered.
Victoria Holt
As one of the original Stimson board members, I was present at the creation and retain indelible memories of Michael's entrepreneurial vision, unwavering persistence and genuine commitment to furthering the Stimson mission. Along with Barry, he played an indispensable role in building and sustaining the institution. All this, of course, in addition to his own prolific research and writing that have influenced so many policy makers and thought leaders over these many years. Michael's legacy is timeless, and he is owed an incalculable debt of gratitude.
Roger Leeds
Michael has a unique way of seeing people and building their confidence. He brings a sense of mission to the people working with or around him. He is always eager to hear what younger scholars have to say and sees the value in what others might consider untraditional analysis. For us younger scholars, who are usually awed and daunted by the depth of the knowledge from veterans like Michael, his encouragement comes not only as a push of support, but also as a sense of mandate by responsibility.
Yun Sun
A Legacy of Achievement
It was in service to others that Michael found his calling, dedicating himself to protecting humankind from our worst impulses. He was an early and influential post-Cold War advocate for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, helping to bring that idea into the mainstream. As President of the Stimson Center, with co-founder Barry Blechman, he played essential roles in the creation of the Open Skies Treaty, the permanent extension of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention, each landmark achievements in their own right. Michael's impact was also especially felt in South Asia, where he worked with a generation of leaders in both India and Pakistan to apply the lessons of the Cold War, build confidence between adversaries, and reduce the chance of nuclear war on the subcontinent. He was the author of 23 books, most recently Winning and Losing the Nuclear Peace: The Rise, Demise, and Revival of Arms Control, and countless papers and essays.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
