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Guest Commentary June 14, 2002
We Must Adapt Policies to Reflect New Threats
The Honorable Chuck Hagel
The world has changed dramatically since the 1972 ABM Treaty formed the cornerstone of our nuclear deterrent policy. These new challenges present new threats and dangers to the U.S. and the world. September 11th made that brutally clear. We must place a greater emphasis on defense -- all forms of defense.
Thirty years ago there were only a handful of countries that possessed nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. Currently 12 nations have nuclear weapons programs, 28 nations have ballistic missiles, 13 nations have biological weapons, and 16 nations have chemical weapons. We must adapt our policies to reflect this new strategic reality and these new threats.
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The President and his Administration have done an excellent job of transforming our relationship with Russia from one of confrontation to one of cooperation. On May 24, President Bush and President Putin signed a joint agreement to reduce the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals.
In addition to this treaty, they signed a joint declaration that engages both countries to examine areas for missile defense cooperation and work within the framework of NATO-Russian Council to expand opportunities for broadened cooperation of missile defense for Europe.
The U.S. will continue to work with our allies and partners, including Russia, to ensure our own security and that of our allies. By withdrawing from the ABM Treaty, the President is moving forward with the necessary steps to protect the long-term security interests of the U.S. and our allies.
Chuck Hagel, a Republican, is a U.S. Senator from Nebraska. The above commentary has been adapted from a statement Sen. Hagel released, June 13, 2002. To contact him, Click Here.
The above column has been distributed by PoliticsOL.com.
