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By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., is Senior Research...
Vladimir Putin upped the ante, linking U.S. missile defenses with the treaty signature. Speaking in Vladivostok later that week, Mr. Putin warned against U.S. “aggressiveness” and disruption of the nuclear balance in case the Obama administration deploys missile defenses.The officials on both sides savor their “hardship post” in Geneva, negotiating the treaty. But there are concerns about where the negotiations are going, especially in they key venue: the U.S. Senate. Senators worry that the Obama administration may be making concessions to Russia that are detrimental to U.S. national security.
On Dec. 16, 41 senators signed a letter to President Obama, saying that they will oppose the new treaty if the United States gives up nuclear modernization. Thus, the 67 vote supermajority necessary for ratification is far from secure. The senators’ concern is real. Nuclear weapons and national security are not to be trifled with.