shifting values

Today all eyes are on statement exchanges between Obama and Medvedev administrations. The two leaders of the two countries with the largest nuclear arsenals met at the G20 summit and surprised the international community with their statements on the prospects of disarmament negotiations between the two nations. Not only Obama and Medvedev committed to work on a new treaty to reduce strategic arsenals, but Obama confirmed his intentions to ratify CTBT.

Sudden and unbelievable progress in the U.S. thinking and commitment to a new system of values, including progress towards nuclear weapon free world - is something to be excited about!

In his speech in Prague, Obama confirmed "America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons." Such a commitment may seem unrealistic, but the higher the goals in disarmament the better the progress!

U.S. - Russia cooperation in disarmament and arms reduction is crucial for making progress in other related areas, including nuclear status of North Korea and tensions in the Middle East.

There are some people in the United States who still think in terms of "Cold War". Moreover, and this thinking is based on the belief that nuclear weapons can help protect the country from another 9/11. Some high level U.S. officials sincerely believe that giving up nuclear weapons means giving up U.S. power and leadership.
For example, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich criticized Obama's foreign policy for his "unrealistic" nuclear weapons policies. UPI.com reports that Gingrich referred to Obama's policies as fantasy policies and said: "And one morning, just like 9/11, there's going to be a disaster, and people are going to look around and say, 'Gosh, why didn't anyone think of that?' Well, I'm telling you the time to think about it's before the disaster, not afterward."


I think there is a great need in changing the U.S. thinking and values system regarding nuclear weapons.