Reviving U.S.-Russian Nuclear Arms Control

On Wednesday, May 6, the Brookings Institute held a discussion on U.S.-Russia relations and the challenges posed by nuclear arms control. Panelists included Brookings President Strobe Talbot, Steven Pifer, Visiting Fellow and author of “Beyond START: Negotiating the Next Step in U.S. and Russian Strategic Nuclear Arms Reductions,” and Brookings vice president and director of Foreign Policy Carlos Pascual.

There are currently 9 countries with nuclear weapons now and 56 conducting research into nuclear enrichment programs. Of those 56 countries, 12 have the capacity to begin such programs. Additionally, 30 have indicated they will develop new programs; 14 of these nations are located in the Middle East and North Africa. If Iran acquires a weapon, it is a matter of time before other nations will do the same.

Following their meeting in London, President Obama and President Medvedev began negotiations on a new strategic arms reduction scheme. The panelists at Brookings explained that nuclear proliferation is one of the greatest threats to the global community today, and that both the United States and Russia must agree to reduce and control their stockpiles if other nations are expected to follow suit.

The success of the Non-Proliferation Treaty [NPT] is vital to the realization of weapons reduction and is dependent upon three conditions. First, the nuclear weapons states should disarm; the United States and Russia should agree to reduce their strategic nuclear arsenals, while holding discussions on how to address non-deployed strategic warheads and tactical weapons. Second, non-nuclear weapons states should be given access to civil nuclear technology after agreeing to forgo it for military use. Lastly, all nations should commit to prevent nuclear proliferation.

Such a regime would be beneficial for both parties by reducing nuclear stockpiles, providing an incentive for nonproliferation to those nations seeking nuclear capabilities, and protecting such materials from acquisition by malevolent groups.  Finally, such a scheme would make the world a safer place and eliminate one of the deadliest threats to the human race.