by Ed Aguilar, PNA Director

So much of the mainstream media has focused on politics as a sport, especially until now on healthcare, etc., that a lot of real news has been discounted by many people. It is important that we focus on the substance of what’s happening, for example, on arms control and disarmament.

The “New START” or the Prague Treaty, is a real big deal. We need to discuss it in those terms, and also to express how one such victory can lead to others.

Here’s an article from our colleague Joe Cirincione that helps put things in perspective: The Start of a New Obama Narrative

After months of intense negotiations, Russian and US officials confirmed that the follow-on  treaty to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) was completed this week.

According to the Joint Understanding on the START Follow On Treaty, President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have agreed to reduce the number of delivery vehicles to 800 and the number of accompanying warheads to 1550 over the next seven years. Unlike the Moscow Treaty negotiated by President Bush and President Putin, this treaty, like START before it, includes legally binding verification and monitoring procedures to assure both sides that the parties are complying with the provisions of the treaty.

The treaty will be signed in April 8th, in Prague. After American-Russian relations cooled at the end of the Bush Administration, the new administrations on both sides of the Atlantic worked to end the military posturing—which included missile defense plans in the Czech Republic and Poland—and the so-called “Cold War” political rhetoric.
Thus, this Treaty promises to be about more than arms reduction – it is a continuation of the spirit of goodwill that has always been the linchpin in establishing an environment of greater trust between Russia and the US. This treaty is also an opportunity for the two new presidents of the United States and Russia to forge a strong relationship.

On April 12, we will watch the Nuclear Security Summit hosted by President Obama. Then the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference, May 3 – 15, will unfold on the world stage. At the end of this time the world’s nuclear weapons superpowers will be signing a binding treaty to reduce nuclear weapons. This will set the stage for future treaties, including the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty ratification in the US Senate, and the Fissile Materials Cutoff Treaty. We hope that these steps will increase the potential for a multilateral START treaty, which could—and should—include China.

Spring is a season of renewal and rebirth. What better time for a fresh START on international cooperation and leadership?

White House Fact Sheet on the New START

In other news, check out this article at Nukes of Hazard on the Air Force and nuclear weapons reductions–we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what a few bright minds in the Air Force think!

Photo Credit: VLADIMIR RODIONOV/AFP/Getty Images

Tell President Obama and Secretary Clinton: Now is the time for concrete action on nuclear disarmament!  Not only will your signature express support to the White House, but also to your Senator, throughout the United States.

Sign the petition online.

As an outgrowth of their commitment to eliminate the epidemic of youth violence in Philadelphia, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) is hosting Legs Against Arms IV, a 5K Run/Walk, to strengthen legs while opposing illegal handguns in our city.  Individuals, families, and teams are encouraged to participate as activists and advocates for a future filled with hope, not harm.

Register with the Project for Nuclear Awareness Team today!

Where: St. Joseph’s University, 5600 City Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19131
7:00am Race Registration Opens – FREE for youth 14 & under (15 & over pay registration fee)
8:30am Race Start Time *All runners/walkers under 18 require parent/guardian signature
10:00am to 12:30pm Celebration of Youth – Educational venues for participants, family and friends; Music, dance and poetry- FREE for everyone

This past weekend, the New York Times published an Op-Ed entitled “New Think and Old Weapons.” The piece asks four important questions that it believes the Obama Administration’s upcoming Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) must address. First, what is the purpose of the United States’ current nuclear arsenal? Second, how many nuclear weapons should be reduced? Third, does the United States need new nuclear weapons? And fourth, should the United States take weapons off alert?

PNA agrees—the NPR must address these questions.  To be consistent with the Administration’s declared policy, the purpose of the arsenal should be limited to deterring use by other nuclear weapons states.

CLICK HERE to access the New York Times Op-Ed.

The Project for Nuclear Awareness appreciates your opinions on this article. Please reply below, and start a dialogue about the upcoming nuclear posture review.