William J. Perry

About the Author

William J. Perry is a distinguished statesman, engineer, and author whose career has spanned pivotal moments in American history, particularly in the realms of defense and national security. Serving as the 19th United States Secretary of Defense from 1994 to 1997 under President Bill Clinton, Perry played a crucial role in navigating the post-Cold War landscape, overseeing the downsizing of nuclear arsenals and fostering technological advancements in military strategy. A Stanford University professor emeritus and co-founder of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, he has dedicated his life to preventing nuclear catastrophe through diplomacy and innovation. In his acclaimed memoir 'My Journey at the Nuclear Brink,' Perry offers an insider's perspective on the harrowing decisions that brought the world to the edge of nuclear war during the Cold War and beyond, underscoring the urgent need for renewed commitment to arms control in an era of proliferating threats. His insights continue to influence global policy discussions on peace and security.