The committee will identify options for strengthening and expanding the Department of Defense (DOD) Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program. The study will include an assessment of new CTR initiatives and options and recommendations for strengthening and expanding the CTR program. The legislation calling for the study contains the following objectives for the program, which also define the scope of the study:(1) the Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program should be strengthened and expanded, in part by developing new CTR initiatives;(2) such new initiatives should--(A) be well-coordinated with the Department of Energy, the Department of State, and any other relevant United States Government agency or department;(B) include appropriate transparency and accountability mechanisms, and legal frameworks and agreements between the United States and CTR partner countries;(C) reflect engagement with non-governmental experts on possible new options for the CTR Program;(D) include work with the Russian Federation and other countries to establish strong CTR partnerships that, among other things-- (i) increase the role of scientists and government officials of CTR partner countries in designing CTR programs and projects; and (ii) increase financial contributions and additional commitments to CTR programs and projects from Russia and other partner countries, as appropriate, as evidence that the programs and projects reflect national priorities and will be sustainable;(E) include broader international cooperation and partnerships, and increased international contributions;(F) incorporate a strong focus on national programs and sustainability, which includes actions to address concerns raised and recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office, in its report of February 2007 titled `Progress Made in Improving Security at Russian Nuclear Sites, but the Long-Term Sustainability of U.S. Funded Security Upgrades is Uncertain', which pertain to the Department of Defense;(G) continue to focus on the development of CTR programs and projects that secure nuclear weapons; secure and eliminate chemical and biological weapons and weapons-related materials; and eliminate nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons-related delivery vehicles and infrastructure at the source; and(H) include efforts to develop new CTR programs and projects in Russia and the former Soviet Union, and in countries and regions outside the former Soviet Union, as appropriate and in the interest of United States national security; and(3) such new initiatives could include--(A) programs and projects in Asia and the Middle East; and(B) activities relating to the denuclearization of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.The project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense.The approximate start date for the project is March 28, 2008.The target date for the release of the committee's report is January 2009.