Trump Wants to Kill Russia Nuclear Treaty as He Arms Saudi Arabia
By Steve BynumTrump Wants to Kill Russia Nuclear Treaty as He Arms Saudi Arabia
By Steve BynumPresident Donald Trump informed reporters on Saturday of his plan to pull the US out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. He blamed Russian treaty violations and China’s weapons proliferation as the cause. “Russia has violated the agreement. They’ve been violating it for many years,” Trump said. The treaty, viewed as a seminal moment towards ending the Cold War, would eliminate thousands of land-based missiles, with strike ranges between 300- 3,400 miles. Critics fear Trump’s decision could start another global arms race. President Donald Trump’s armament policies with Russia, and also with Saudi Arabia, have increased global anxiety over weapons proliferation. As recently as last Month, U.S. Energy Secretary, Rick Perry, was continuing talks with the Saudis to possibly waive restrictions that would allow Saudi Arabia to reprocess and enrich uranium. Reportedly, the U.S. could also agree to build several nuclear power reactors in the Saudi Kingdom. It’s unclear how the recent diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia over journalist’s Jamal Khashoggi’s murder might impact the talks. To discuss with us the implications of Trump’s moves with Russia and Saudi Arabia is Joseph Cirincione, president of the Ploughshares Fund, a non-proliferation NGO.