(Original photo credits to MoonBattery.com and Grand Rapids Press. Photos altered by Kim-Thao Nguyen)
President Obama will arrive at the United Nations on September 24, ready to play ball. Despite domestic policy crises, the President is moving full steam ahead on foreign affairs, and he continues to follow the course he set in his Inaugural Address, when he announced to adversaries that “we will extend a hand if you … unclench your fist.”
On that day, President Obama will be chairing the UN Security Council meeting on nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, and international security issues. In preparation for this historic, unprecedented and critically important event, Obama dealt with a few obstacles between him and the end-zone of moving the ball forward on nuclear disarmament.
In other developments:
1) The United States and other nations have agreed to meet with Iran on October 1st to discuss the Iranian negotiation proposal, which included topics of international security, nuclear nonproliferation, and the Palestinian question, but did not specifically include Iran’s nuclear program.
2) On Thursday, September 17, 2009, Obama and his national security advisors unveiled a positive change in the US missile defense system plans for Europe, citing changing intelligence reports regarding Iranian nuclear weapons program and the ability to use advanced technology on a more comprehensive and mobile system. The previous plan was a major roadblock to improved US-Russian relations, including in the area of nuclear disarmament and cooperation on Iran. The new system will use the Aegis system, mounted on ships, with the idea of deploying three to four ships in each area requiring anti-ballistic missile system coverage (Mediterranean, North Sea, and on the Pacific side). However, we cannot be sure this system will work effectively, or deter Iran and other nations from pursuing a weapons program. Still, this proposal has been well received by most US analysts and overseas. Russia’s reaction has been reserved, but approving of the adjustment.
3) President Obama’s April 5th Prague speech and May 10th Cairo speech both reaffirmed his foreign policy goals on international security: a world free of nuclear weapons, the option of an international fuel bank to address concerns about dual use nuclear reactors, and a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli crisis. By laying these positions out before his United Nations visit, President Obama has made his immediate foreign policy goals very clear.
Happening simultaneously, on September 24-25, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization meeting will discuss ways to encourage countries to ratify the CTBT into force. The United States is one of those countries whose ratification is necessary, and Obama has said that he wants to have the U.S. ratify the Treaty soon. The administration is sending Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the US representative to the CTBTO meeting, a strong sign that Obama is serious about moving the treaty through the Senate. Politically, it may be difficult for the Senate to ratify the treaty. Republican hawks are upset at Obama’s handling of the missile defense system and the START follow-on negotiations. The forthcoming Nuclear Posture Review will also play a major role in domestic support for the CTBT. We will be examining that Review in our next update, and in our visits to Congress and area districts.
It is a difficult time for the U.S., with economic and health care debates at home. But it can also be a very fruitful time to advance international framework for peace and security. If we keep our eye on the ball, we can move forward toward the advancing goal line—the two most immediate goals are a START follow-on treaty and ratification of the CTBT. Intermediate goals: the fuel bank and other safeguards on fissile materials. Finally, deep cuts worldwide, the denuclearization of the Middle East, and the long-term final score: a world free of nukes, as the President and a majority of world leaders, including the entire European Parliament in a vote this spring, have avowed.