Tag: new start

Obama Pushes START Treaty to Top of Legislative Agenda

With time running out before he faces a much more hostile and Republican Congress, President Barack Obama appears to have made Senate ratification of the pending New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with Russia his top legislative priority. Not only has he bowed to Republican demands to allocate more money for Washington’s nuclear arms program, … Continue reading “Obama Pushes START Treaty to Top of Legislative Agenda”

New START Is Worthy, but Let’s Not Violate the Constitution to Save It

Since the Cold War ended, arms control treaties don’t get much attention – unless they get into trouble. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) appears to fall into that category. Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), designated as the Republican point man for the treaty, is blocking it. Kyl, conservative on such issues but usually responsible, … Continue reading “New START Is Worthy, but Let’s Not Violate the Constitution to Save It”

Is GOP Risking a New Cold War?

Before Republican senators vote down the strategic arms reduction treaty negotiated by the Obama administration, they should think long and hard about the consequences. In substance, New START has none of the historic significance of Richard Nixon’s SALT I or ABM treaty, or Jimmy Carter’s SALT II, or Ronald Reagan’s INF treaty removing all intermediate-range … Continue reading “Is GOP Risking a New Cold War?”

Looming Partisan Shift Adds Urgency to Nuke Treaty

When U.S. President Barack Obama capped a flurry of activity on nuclear non-proliferation this spring by welcoming the largest gathering of world leaders ever in Washington for a Nuclear Security Summit, many experts hoped to see cascading effects that would lead to even further elimination of nuclear weapons. But progress has stalled since then, with … Continue reading “Looming Partisan Shift Adds Urgency to Nuke Treaty”

New START: Arms Affirmation Treaty

The New START treaty should at best be called an “arms affirmation treaty,” confirming that expensive weapons systems, which include the nation’s nuclear arsenal, remain a national priority. Like the earlier Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, New START insulates nuclear weapons spending, as well as large budgets for other weapons systems. Thus far, the ratification debate … Continue reading “New START: Arms Affirmation Treaty”

New START’s Big Winners: US Nuke Complex, Pentagon, and Contractors

The passage of New START in a 14-4 vote out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is already being hailed by Democrats and arms-control NGOs as a substantial victory. A floor vote for ratification is now apparently set to occur after the elections. While ratification is by no means guaranteed, there are several clear winners … Continue reading “New START’s Big Winners: US Nuke Complex, Pentagon, and Contractors”