Missile security is usually something enemies fight over. However, missile defense is getting used as a political football by senators within the GOP to frustrate the Obama administration at the expense of their own country’s best interests. The GOP’s target is the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty Obama and Russian President Dimitri Medvedev signed last spring that awaits U.S. Senate ratification.
Russia/U.S. relations affected by NewSTART
Missile defense as it relates to the NewSTART treaty, which had bipartisan support until this week, is getting used by certain Republicans as an opportunity for political posturing. The Obama administration trying to improve national security and U.S./Russia relations has relied on NewSTART treaty for this. Last summer's Russian spy scandal and the extradition of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout haven't affected the U.S./Russia relationships at all since the NewSTART treaty is so important. Next year, the democrats will lose six senate seats. This is why Arizona Republican senator Job Kyl and 10 GOP senators try to delay the vote.
GOP wants to START again
In 2009, the old START treaty expired which is why the NewSTART treaty is essential for making sure United States of America and Russian arsenals of nuclear missiles and on-the ground inspections continue. Starting over is exactly what Kyl and others following him suggested the U.S. Senate needs to do. The arsenal that remains after reductions needs to be modernized with more money. $4.1 billion was already added for this purpose though since it was already brought up before. Other conservatives say the language of the treaty is really broadly defined that it will restrict United States of America missile security possibilities.
The NewSTART
In fact, the NewSTART treaty contains no provisions limiting the number of missile security systems the United States can build. It also doesn’t require the United States of America to cut any already existing systems. The NewSTART treaty reduces restrictions on missile security based on Military Defense Agency chief General Patrick O'Reilly who said this in front of the Senate Armed Services committee in April. The old START treaty produced it impossible for the United States of America to test missiles which were to take out oncoming missiles. Now that is gone.
Information from
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/18/AR2010111800507_2.html
Media Matters
mediamatters.org/research/201011180003
The Hill
thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/129739-new-start-a-missile-defense-friendly-treaty
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