Thursday, January 13, 2011

Russians, unlike Obama, in no hurry to reduce their nuclear arsenal

From Reuters:
Russia said on Thursday the United States had to allay its concerns about conventional warheads and weapons in space if it wanted further cuts in the two countries' nuclear arsenals... Obama has set out a vision of a world without nuclear weapons...

When the U.S. Senate approved the New START treaty last month, it ordered Obama to seek talks with Moscow within a year on reductions of tactical nuclear stockpiles.

But Lavrov said discussions of future nuclear arms cuts "must take into account other factors that increasingly influence strategic stability".

"Let's imagine that everyone abandons nuclear weapons, but that in parallel non-nuclear strategic weapons are developed ... that may be even more effective in military terms -- what then?"...

In addition to long-range missiles with conventional warheads, Lavrov expressed particular concern about the possibility of "the militarization of space".

In 2006, U.S. President George W. Bush signed an order opposing Washington's participation in treaties that would restrict its right to develop space-based weapons. In July, a U.S. arms control official said the United States could consider proposals to limit or ban weapons in space.
Mr. Lavrov also said that a new round of talks aimed at slashing Russia's large arsenal of short-range tactical nuclear weapons must also involve other nuclear powers, the Wall Street Journal reported. Additionally, Mr. Lavrov said that, "Before talking about any further steps in the sphere of nuclear disarmament, it's necessary to fulfill the New Start agreement."
That process could take years, as the former Cold War enemies shrink their long-range nuclear warheads to a limit of 1,550 each, down from the current ceiling of 2,200.

"Then it will become clear what further steps must be taken to strengthen global security and strategic stability," Mr. Lavrov said.

When those steps are considered, he added, other nuclear-armed nations must take part and the agenda must include weapons in space, strategic missiles equipped with conventional explosives and other non-nuclear conventional weapons. Russia opposes U.S. plans for space-based weapons.
Truth be told, if we're already going down the path of appeasement, I see no reason why we shouldn't ban space weapons. It seems only logical, considering Obama's ultimate goal is to end America's military superiority, so that Russia, the US and the entire world can be on equal footing. It's all about Global equality, right?

What's more, US Military officials have expressed concern over China's advances in space weapons. "In 2007, China demonstrated that it could shoot a satellite out of low Earth orbit. And for years, corporate and government computer systems in the U.S. and elsewhere, including those of American defense contractors, have been hit by cyberattacks traced back to China." Hence, if the US were to ban space weapons, it would give the Chinese a decisive edge in that department, which, in turn, would foster good will between China and the US, and ultimately assist President Obama in his goal of creating a global alliance, one, in which the US is no longer the domineering, snobby Superpower it once was.

Appeasement, acquiescence and pacification are the cornerstones of Obama's foreign policy and his new world order. And, quite frankly, I'm satisfied with that approach; We don't need to ruffle anyone's feathers, not now, not in today's dangerous world.

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