By Douglas V. Gibbs
The Republicans that voted to ratify the nuclear arms control treaty with Russia have sold out America. Not only does it place our security at risk, but shows how naive much of Washington is when it comes to the enemies we face in the big bad world.
The treaty is dangerously flawed, does not take into account Russia's history of dishonesty, and fails to address other nuclear powers, such as China.
Nonetheless, the U.S. Senate has ratified the treaty, making it a part of the law of the land. The Democrats consider the treaty a major foreign policy victory, but the language in the treaty, and the misguided expectations of Russia (and other nuclear nations and groups), undermine America’s national security by restricting our missile defense capabilities, limiting our non-nuclear offensive arsenal, ignoring China's capabilities, disregarding the importance of our missile defense technology, and ignoring the threat posed by Russia’s tactical nuclear arsenal.
The Obama administration assured Senators, and the American people, that the new START treaty has been written in such a way that it will not harm our national security.
If the Russian government attempts to use the treaty to limit missile defense, fails to reduce its own armament, refuses to negotiate in good faith regarding tactical nuclear weapons or continues to aid and abet Iran, the United States should immediately withdraw from the treaty.
One must ask, if this treaty is so important, why was it rammed through the Senate during a lame duck session? Many of the Senators who voted for it are on their way out. One must consider that among the American people, and many of the Republicans, this is the most significant opposition to a ratified treaty in more than three decades. This treaty, the way it is written, places America at a disadvantage, and seriously places America’s interest squarely behind those of the Russians.
Besides, who truly expects Russia to abide by the rules of the treaty? Russia has a history of cheating. They are always dishonest, so it would have been in our best interest to place more significant language in the treaty in regards to giving us the ability to check if they are abiding by the provisions, with an easier way out of the treaty should they not abide by the provisions. We must also understand that if we were to reduce our armament by a third, as the treaty calls for, even if the Russians are honest and reduce their arms too, where does that place us in regards to China? China doesn't plan to reduce her arms anytime soon. The reduction places us at a significant disadvantage when it comes to China's growing nuclear arsenal. The reduction also sends a message to Islamic nations, and North Korea, that we are weak. It doesn't matter what our intentions are when it comes to those nations. What is reality is "their" interpretation of our actions. If they think we are acting in a manner that is weak, it will embolden them to make a move.
The new Congress, which will include the conservatives that will be taking the helm in January, and the ones that will enter Washington after the next election in 2012, must maintain the same fire the Tea Party movement exhibited to get these people in. This damage by the Democrats, and the moderate establishment Republicans, must be repaired. This treaty must be closely monitored, and at the first sign of violations by Russia, we must pull out of it. Any less places our nation in a position of dangerous circumstances that may include a breach in our national security.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
Senate Passes Arms Control Treaty With Russia, 71-26 - New York Times
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