Tag: nuclear weapons

US Nuclear Option on Iran Linked to Israeli Attack Threat

The Barack Obama administration’s declaration in its Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) that it is reserving the right to use nuclear weapons against Iran represents a new element in a strategy of persuading Tehran that an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites is a serious possibility if Iran does not bow to the demand that it … Continue reading “US Nuclear Option on Iran Linked to Israeli Attack Threat”

Israel Trapped in Nuclear Isolation

JERUSALEM — As the world grapples with controlling the spread of nuclear weapons, it’s a time of complex choices in a Middle East edging between possible confrontation with Iran and possible movement towards Israeli-Palestinian peace. It’s also a time of troubled relations between the United States and Israel. And yet at this critical moment, against … Continue reading “Israel Trapped in Nuclear Isolation”

Obama’s Nuclear Achievements: Less Than Meets the Eye

Despite all the hoopla about President Barack Obama’s summit on nuclear security and a new arms control deal, the eventual results of his laudable efforts will probably be modest and will likely be dwarfed by the damage to nuclear security done by George W. Bush’s prior administration. Although the possibility of nuclear terrorism probably has … Continue reading “Obama’s Nuclear Achievements: Less Than Meets the Eye”

UN Chief Doubts Mideast Nuke-Free Zone

UNITED NATIONS – Against the backdrop of a major summit meeting of world leaders on nuclear non-proliferation hosted by the United States, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed strong doubts about the long-standing proposal to create a nuclear-free zone in the militarily volatile Middle East. The proposal has not achieved any progress until now for various reasons, … Continue reading “UN Chief Doubts Mideast Nuke-Free Zone”

Obama’s Nuclear-Weapons Conference Fatally Flawed Before It Began

The meeting on nuclear security convoked by Barack Obama this week was meant to prevent nuclear proliferation. This is a worthy cause, but – while I am writing before the meeting closes – I would assume that it will at best produce empty promises, as the meeting itself is fatally flawed. Its conceptual basis is … Continue reading “Obama’s Nuclear-Weapons Conference Fatally Flawed Before It Began”

All Options, Still, on the Table

During the press conference at the Pentagon on Tuesday, April 6th, announcing the Obama Administration’s new "Nuclear Posture Review" (NPR), Secretary of Defense Robert Gates momentarily brandished America’s sharp nuclear teeth. In doing so, he caused the United States to violate the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). Live on C-SPAN. Three separate times.  Although Gates said … Continue reading “All Options, Still, on the Table”

Mixed Reviews for Obama’s Nuclear Strategy

U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday unveiled a new Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) that will significantly limit the circumstances under which Washington would use nuclear weapons as part of a strategy to bolster the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and other efforts to halt and reverse the spread of nuclear arms. Among other changes, the new strategy … Continue reading “Mixed Reviews for Obama’s Nuclear Strategy”

More Sanctions Against Iran Are Not the Answer

Because President Barack Obama’s attempt to entice Iran to give up its nuclear program has ended in unsurprising failure, he is now trying to ratchet up the pressure on the regime by leading the drive to increase international economic sanctions. However, even if he were to succeed in getting Russia and China to go along … Continue reading “More Sanctions Against Iran Are Not the Answer”