To START or Not To START? Should It Even Be a Question?
Ricky Trotman /
In an interview with National Journal (subscription necessary) Senator Richard Lugar (R–IN), responds to a series of objections to the new START Treaty and outlines why he believes ratification is necessary.
Sen. Lugar addresses the question of tactical nuclear weapons, yet gives a less than satisfactory response. He states, “A large percentage of Russia’s short-range tactical weapons are actually deployed along its border with China.” While he states a problem, he ultimately fails to connect the dots.
By not addressing Russia’s tactical arsenal, the START treaty allows Russia to continue relying on these weapons, which will foster greater instability in the region. China likely will respond by increasing the size of its program. This result is clearly undesirable. (more…)