A Hard Look at the Obama-Medvedev Summit
Ariel Cohen /
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will visit the United States from June 22 through 24 at the invitation of U.S. President Barack Obama. Topping the agenda will be the New START Treaty between the two countries, a treaty that is likely to arouse controversy in the Senate. The visit occurs after the United States was able to secure a vote by Russia on the United Nations Security Council to impose a fourth round of sanctions on Iran. The Obama Administration hails its “reset button” policy with Russia as an unqualified success. However, all aspects of the Russo-American relationship deserve an unflinching examination.
The New START treaty, signed by U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on April 8, clearly does not serve U.S. strategic interests. Problems include limitations on U.S. ballistic missile defense and conventionally armed ICBM capabilities, as well as ambiguities surrounding verification. Key U.S. Senators and national security experts have shown reservations, citing the treaty’s potential to limit U.S. missile defense options. According to several credible reports, the Obama Administration is involved in secret talks with the Russians to derail or limit deployment of a strategic missile defense.