Latest in arms control
In our second “Better Know a State Department Bureau” series, Fault Lines welcomes Dr. Chris Ford, Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation. How should America respond to Russian non-compliance with arms control treaties? How can the U.S. work with China to control nuclear proliferation?
In a statement withdrawing from the treaty, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Russia of flagrantly violating its provisions. Were those allegations justified? If so, on what grounds?
The treaty is one of the keystones of nuclear trust and confidence-building, and there is no clear explanation for why the Trump administration believes withdrawal serves U.S. interests.
Congress has set limits on U.S. withdrawal from a major arms control treaty. But President Trump may not feel that he has to abide by them.
Increased tension between the United States and Russia, coupled with policy uncertainty in Washington, has thrown the nuclear arms agreement’s extension into doubt.
A five-year extension will preserve the treaty's benefits and provide more time for negotiations regarding Russia's new weapons systems.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on Order from Chaos.
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