Trump Wants to Kill Russia Nuclear Treaty as He Arms Saudi Arabia

RUSSIA US NUCLEAR
In this Tuesday, May 9, 2017 file photo, Russian Topol M intercontinental ballistic missile launcher rolls along Red Square during the Victory Day military parade to celebrate 72 years since the end of WWII and the defeat of Nazi Germany, in Moscow, Russia. Russia says it has met the nuclear arsenal limits of a key arms control treaty but has some issues with U.S. compliance. Monday, Feb. 5, 2018 was the deadline to verify compliance by both the United States and Russia with the New START treaty signed in 2010. Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP Photo
RUSSIA US NUCLEAR
In this Tuesday, May 9, 2017 file photo, Russian Topol M intercontinental ballistic missile launcher rolls along Red Square during the Victory Day military parade to celebrate 72 years since the end of WWII and the defeat of Nazi Germany, in Moscow, Russia. Russia says it has met the nuclear arsenal limits of a key arms control treaty but has some issues with U.S. compliance. Monday, Feb. 5, 2018 was the deadline to verify compliance by both the United States and Russia with the New START treaty signed in 2010. Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP Photo

Trump Wants to Kill Russia Nuclear Treaty as He Arms Saudi Arabia

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President 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.