George Ignatieff: A feisty disarmament diplomat in the Cold War era

Abstract

George Ignatieff had a long and distinguished diplomatic career, but only his last posting to the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament in Geneva (1969–1972) enabled him to focus on the existential threat posed by weapons of mass destruction and what could be done through arms control and disarmament to avoid a nuclear Armageddon. He was adept at maneuvering within the limits available to middle powers during the Cold War. Ignatieff was ahead of his time in proposing a professionalization of the policy development process for Canada, and in suggesting means to bridge the gap between bureaucratic and political institutions in defining security policy. Several of his ideas would be realized only years afterwards. Throughout his life he was “indefatigable in his work for peace and international security,” and his contribution to disarmament diplomacy merits renewed attention as the world enters another period of nuclear threats.