As dangerous as terrorism is, the only real threat to America’s existence is nuclear weapons. The U.S. has always lead the world in controlling the spread of these devastating weapons ever since the Cold War, but under Bush’s leadership this leadership has been abandoned.
Since he has taken office, we have pulled out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, blocked progress on the Biological Weapons Convention, refused to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, given up enforcing the START I and II nuclear weapons reductions agreements, and ignored the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Worse, the neoconservative administration has cut funding for programs aimed at securing Russia’s loose nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons material. Nothing could be more important to our security than making sure nuclear weapons do not get into the hands of terrorists. Yet despite the lip service, Republicans have done little on this front.
Moreover, Clinton had almost reached with an agreement with North Korea on its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs when he left office. Bush could have picked up that baton and run with it, but chose to take a tough stance and now North Korea has tested some rudimentary nuclear weapons.
The conservative stance of not negotiating with disliked countries also backfired with Iran, and now its is flaunting the international non-proliferation regime with its secretive ‘civilian’ nuclear program. Had the Republicans engaged both those countries, chances are we would have or be close to having an agreement curtailing their nuclear ambitions.
As the world’s empire, countries expect us to lead, not bully. But by pulling out of treaties that constrain everyone’s worst impulses, it sends a signal that we only see military solutions to problems. That is why North Korea and possibly Iran are pursuing nuclear weapons. After the unilateral invasion of Iraq simply because we did not like Hussein, any responsible country on the U.S.’ bad side would pursue nuclear weapons to guarantee their security.
We simply cannot go down this path. Arms control agreements have kept nuclear weapons out of the hands of most countries, and have been far more successful than anyone ever imagined. They give us a basis for working constructively with other nations and unparalleled international stability. Bush has damaged that stability and we need to get it back. Uncontrolled chaos in a might makes right atmosphere is not a reality that makes us secure.
Policy
1) Renegotiate strict verification measures on our current nuclear weapons reduction treaty with Russia, The Moscow Treaty.
2) Ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
3) Take our Son of Star Wars system offline. Cut funding for this boondoggle program to just elementary R&D.
4) Negotiate a tough treaty banning weapons in space.
5) Triple our efforts to eliminate loose nuclear weapons and material in Russia and negotiate a treaty controlling nuclear material worldwide.
6) Take nuclear weapons off hair trigger alert status.
Messaging
Everyone hates nukes, including the American public. Emphasize that Bush has made the spread of nuclear weapons worse. Start with programs like Nunn-Lugar and how terrorists can get their hands on weapons and uranium and how the Republicans have cut funding for those programs. Also mention how North Korea and Iran have gotten closer to the bomb because of Bush’s arrogant and inept policies. This undercuts the notion that the conservatives are competent at national security.
1) Arms control treaties have protected our status as the most powerful nation on Earth.
2) Republicans have cut funding for programs aimed at keeping nuclear weapons out of terrorists’ hands.
3) Nuclear weapons and technology have spread due to Bush’s conservative policies. Exhibit A: North Korea. Exhibit B: Iran.
4) If we want a world of stability and cooperation, rather than chaos and conflict, we need strong arms control agreements.