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US-Russia nuclear arms pact
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Expert available for comment –
President Barack Obama’s attempts to move the world towards the abolition of
nuclear weapons will gain momentum from reports that the US and Russia are on
the verge of signing their first nuclear arms control agreement in almost 20 years.
The Wall Street Journal reports today that long-standing differences between the
US and Russian negotiating teams for a new strategic nuclear arms limitation
agreement appear to have been overcome.
Professor Richard Tanter, Director of the Nautilus Institute at RMIT University,
comments:
“This news is particularly welcome on the day the Global Zero conference of 200
high-profile international political, military, business, and faith leaders opens in
Paris.
“The US-Russia treaty will give momentum in the build up to the Nuclear Non-
Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May.
“The NPT Review Conference is widely viewed as a make-or-break momentum in
slowing the spread of nuclear weapons.”
What exactly will this new US-Russia treaty involve?
Why has it taken so long since the end of the Cold War almost twenty years ago?
Will it fundamentally change anything, given that both countries – as well as China,
Britain, France, Israel, India and Pakistan – will still have large numbers of strategic
nuclear weapons?
In the Defence White Paper last year, the Australian government renewed its
reliance on the US nuclear umbrella as part of the country’s defence. What are the
implications for Australia of the Obama administration’s moves towards
disarmament?
Professor Tanter, a Professorial Fellow in International Relations, is an expert on
regional security
He is available for interview on the new US-Russia nuclear arms pact.
For interviews: RMIT University’s Professor Richard Tanter, (03) 9925 3170 or
0407 824 336.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Communications, Gosia
Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417 510 735.
3 February, 2010
NEWS 
