Barak Obama and his speech at the University of Purdue

Barak Obama followed the McCain's path to address nonproliferation in a broader context.
It is critical that both candidates take stronger positions on the issue of nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament.

Full text:
http://www.cfr.org/publication/16807/barack_obamas_speech_at_the_university_of_purdue.html

16 July 2008

Author:	Barack Obama

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama

Summit on Confronting New Threats

Purdue University

July 16, 2008

"Throughout our history, America has confronted constantly evolving danger. From the oppression of an empire to the lawlessness of the frontier; from the bombs that fell on Pearl Harbor to the threat of nuclear annihilation – Americans have adapted to the threats posed by an ever-changing world."

"For most of our history, the most significant danger to our security came from states. The physical safety of our people was protected by oceans. The national security of the United States was buttressed by our economic strength, and a powerful military that answered every call. Today, the dangers extend beyond states alone to transnational security threats that respect no borders. These are threats that can arise from any part of the globe and spread anywhere, including to our own shores – dangers like pandemic disease, nuclear weapons proliferation, environmental degradation, international criminal networks, and terrorism."

"Today, we will focus on nuclear, biological, and cyber threats – three 21st century threats that have been neglected for the last eight years. It’s time to break out of Washington’s conventional thinking that has failed to keep pace with unconventional threats. In doing so, we’ll better ensure the safety of the American people, while building our capacity to deal with other challenges – from public health to privacy."

"It starts with the gravest danger we face – nuclear terrorism. One of the terrible ironies of the Iraq War is that President Bush used concern over this threat to invade a country that had no nuclear weapons program. In the meantime, Pakistani scientist AQ Khan was spreading to hostile nations the technology to produce nuclear weapons and the warheads to deliver them. But the fact that the President misled us into a misguided war doesn’t diminish the threat of a terrorist with a weapon of mass destruction – in fact, it has only increased it."