On Friday, March 26, President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed to a pact which commits both countries to a new reduction of strategic missiles.
Obama said nuclear weapons are “the darkest days of the Cold War, and the most troubling threats of our time.” He said the new treaty’s purpose is to be the first step towards ridding the world of the threat.
The treaty must be ratified by the U.S. Senate and Russia’s legislature before it can replace the 19-year-old pact which required both countries to significantly reduce their long-range nuclear weapons.
In the U.S., the pact has received some criticism. It will needed 67 votes for ratification, requiring Republican support. But Several GOP senators have expressed concerns about the treaty’s affect on U.S. missile defense program.
Obama signed the treaty with Medvedev in Prague on April 8.
Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2010/03/27/MNR11CLR3F.DTL
lhsimage.com asked: What kind of impact do you think the new treaty with Russia will have on the U.S.?
I think President Obama’s recent initiative to curb nuclear proliferation is a step in the right direction. Nuclear weapons are a scourge, and as a world leader, the United States must commit itself to their eradication. –Christopher M. Lenz, 11
Personally, I don’t feel the treaty will make too big an impact on the U.S. – Marissa Passi, 11
I think the treaty will have a good impact on the image of the U.S. because we are often viewed by the world as too powerful and aggressive and a step in a more peaceful direction could possibly begin to change world opinions of the U.S. – Amy Bowen, 12
It will cause a better cooperation with Russia because we won’t have the fear that we will destroy each other. With less nuclear weapons, there is a less chance of ultimate destruction, so military use by the U.S. could become more common to help third world countries. – Timmy Kenny, 12
Not a great deal as far as Russia is concerned. Probably, conservatives will accuse Obama of endangering U.S. security. There is a greater threat from Iran, North Korea and the governmental chaos in Pakistan. All these countries have or will have nuclear weapons. – Mike Schraier, Hall Monitor
