CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION?

According to the media, the US and Russian leaders have scored a wonderful step forward for world peace. "US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have agreed a new nuclear arms reduction treaty after months of negotiations. The treaty limits both sides to 1,550 warheads, about 30% less than currently allowed, the White House said. The deal replaces the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. .... President Obama hailed the treaty as the most comprehensive weapons control agreement in nearly two decades. "With this agreement, the United States and Russia - the two largest nuclear powers in the world - also send a clear signal that we intend to lead," he said at the White House." (BBC News, 26 March)
Before we crack open the champagne and engage in dancing in the street it would be worthwhile reflecting on what this really means. 1,550 nuclear warheads is sufficient to destroy the whole world! A more sober analysis of the US/Russia agreement would be an attempt to limit arms expenditure and to discourage non-US/Russia opponents from entering the nuclear arms race. Our champagne remains uncorked. RD