Friday, April 30, 2010
By Alec Lautanen
Contributing Writer
President Barack Obama enacted a landmark change in the United States’ nuclear weapons policy on April 6. This new proposal follows a changing world and creates a peaceful role for the United States.
President Obama’s plan embraces multilateral agreement and pushes for tougher sanctions on rogue nations such as Iran.
The plans to employ standard military action first and use nuclear weapons as a last resort is an innovative, yet simple, plan.
As with most of President Obama’s changes, this policy succeeds because it is a far cry from George W. Bush’s military policies. Instead of muscling up on warheads and using military action, as the U.S. did under Bush, President Obama’s policy strives to eradicate nuclear weapons all together and to only pursue military action if such a policy is approved by the public.
Critics may denounce this as no more than another way for President Obama to distance himself from Bush, but his plan goes deeper. It restricts the acquisition of weapons in the first place, instead of just preventing an actual strike. Also, it directs attention away from a less-dangerous Russia and toward rogue states like North Korea and terrorist groups like Hamas.
Opponents criticize President Obama’s promise to not use nuclear weapons, even if an attacking country strikes first. However, he made a valid compromise by saying he would strike a belligerent Iran or agents of terrorism.
This policy succeeds in deterring attacks through arms reduction. Nations were hostile during the Bush years because America was widely considered to be a bully. This new policy counteracts the negative stigma, instead casting a light of cooperation and reform on the U.S., a stark difference from previous years.
Some may argue that President Obama’s policy fails as a defensive measure, but these arguments are negated by the concept of collective action. The allies of the U.S. are now more likely to come to America’s aid if needed. This policy also lessens the U.S.’s appearance as a worldwide threat, simultaneously working toward creating many liberal European allies, such as France.
Although Obama’s policy serves as a model for nuclear arms management, it still has room for improvement. The 80 percent reduction from 9,400 nuclear weapons to 1,550 is admirable but excessive. The destruction of arms is vital to create a more peaceful image, but such expenditures could hurt already-lacking U.S. funds on nuclear power that may be needed.
Although Russia may be an invaluable ally, China can still be classified as a threat. China possesses a small number of warheads, but these bombs are still weapons of mass destruction.
President Obama’s improved nuclear arms policy will definitely benefit the United States. It presents the nation as a country striving for peace, a significant departure from previous Bush policy, while still preserving America’s international status as a world power.
Leave a Reply