Would New START bolster U.S. nuclear nonproliferation efforts?
Yes. New START helps to demonstrate that the United States and Russia are keeping up their end of the bargain under the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). New START would increase Washington’s leverage in seeking stronger non-proliferation measures, such as more effective nuclear inspections, tougher penalties for states that do not comply with nonproliferation obligations, and faster action to secure the most vulnerable nuclear weapons materials. Improving the NPT system is essential to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons to terrorists and additional nations. “The U.S. and the Russians are still the custodians of the nuclear age,” former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft said July 23. “We own 95 percent of all the nuclear weapons. If we are unable between the two of us to make any progress in stability what [does] this do to our urging others not to proliferate, not to go to nuclear weapons because they’re a danger to the world, while we sit there and fiddle while Rome
