The nuclear winds have shifted, in America and for America. By expressing the most definitive stance on American nuclear policy since Harry S. Truman, President Obama has cemented his place in martial history even as conservatives lambaste his policies at home.
The Department of Defense’s new policy, mandated personally by Obama, deliberately removes most of the ambiguity in America’s existing nuclear procedures. Known as the Nuclear Posture Review, the policy pledges that the United States will not use nuclear weapons on non-nuclear countries that are in compliance with the established Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, or NPT, encompasses 189 parties, including the five recognized nuclear powers: the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France and China. Three other countries, India, Israel and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, but have refused to sign the treaty. The treaty, while forming the basis for nuclear weapons reduction since its establishment in 1970, is clearly flawed. The simple fact that Iran, a party to the treaty for decades, has repeatedly been found in violation of the agreement and has steadily progressed towards construction of a nuclear weapon is testament enough.
Obama’s new clarification of the United States’ nuclear policy is a valuable defense against accusations like those made May 3 by the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. World leaders have gathered in New York for a month-long summit at the United Nations to attempt to strengthen the NPT.
“Regrettably, the government of the United States has not only used nuclear weapons, but also continues to threaten to use such weapons against other countries, including Iran,” Ahmadinejad said.
By clearing up the circumstances that would lead the United States to make use of nuclear weapons, Obama is presenting a strong counterpoint to the increasingly raving claims of some of the more militant, nuclear-minded countries like Iran and North Korea. By refuting these dogmatic claims, America can see its international relationships strengthen in the face of shifting political aspirations.
According to The New York Times, the United States is concentrating on enticing Middle Eastern countries and those seeking nuclear power to partner with an established nuclear power to both obtain and dispose of their fissile material. This way, militant countries won’t have access to spent nuclear material to use as a stockpile for weapons.
However, prospective nuclear powers, especially in the Middle East, are pushing a different agenda. They want the long-standing ambiguity surrounding Israel’s nuclear weapons to be confirmed and for Israel to not only admit its nuclear capabilities, but also to sign the NPT. This, according to claimants like Egypt, would help pave the way towards a future nuclear-free zone in the Middle East.
By encouraging the existence of the Nuclear Posture Review, Obama has in effect strengthened the NPT against the agendas who would see it dismantled. In an interview with The New York Times, Obama clarified his goals.
“All countries—whether they’re nuclear weapons states, nonnuclear [sic] weapons states or aspiring nuclear weapons states—I think they should be very clear about what our approach and strategy is,” said Obama.
America’s approach is to fight fire with fire, but not blindly. The new policies will strengthen the resolve of opponents to nuclear proliferation, not encourage the increased development of rogue weapons programs. It’s the right decision, in America and for America.
