Yet Another Negotiating “Achievement” of the U.S. Department of State

Baker Spring / June 03, 2011

New START, a strategic arms control treaty with the Russian Federation that entered into force in February, is disadvantageous for the United States and advantageous for Russia. The treaty actually allows the Russians to build up their nuclear strategic forces. This raises the question: What did the U.S. negotiators actually achieve for the advancement of the U.S. national security?

According to the factsheet released on June 1, by the State Department’s Bureau of Verification, Compliance, and Implementation, the U.S. will have to remove 182 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and heavy bombers from their operational status. Russia can add 179. Regarding deployed accountable warheads, the U.S. will have to remove 250 accountable nuclear warheads from its operational arsenal; Russia can actually add 23. (more…)