As the Doomsday Clock, as analyzed by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, creeps closer to midnight, Village Voices will take a look at the background to and current state of control of nuclear arms. Susan J. Koch is a specialist in policy issues regarding arms reduction and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. From 1982 until 2007 she held a series of senior positions in the White House National Security Council Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Department of State and the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, focused on nonproliferation and arms reduction policy. Dr. Koch began her government career in the Directorate of Intelligence of the CIA, analyzing West European political issues. She has received numerous awards for her work on arms control issues, including the Presidential Distinguished Executive Award.