The son of START 1

Today I bring news of progress on the US/Russian nuclear talks. As I have stated in previous post the United States and Russia have been on shaky grounds in terms of political relations, but both sides have shown signs of wanted to reestablish good relations. A new nuclear treaty, to replace START 1 which expires in December, is a set forward in this regards. The two sides had stated early in April that they wanted to start talking on this issue and that has finally happen. Negotiators from both sides have begun preliminary talks in Rome on the new nuclear arms reduction treaty. In a joint statement given in front of the US embassy in Rome the representatives from both sides said that the talks had gotten off to a fast start. These are just preliminary talks; the real negations are scheduled to start in May when the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will come to Washington to meet with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. The biggest problem that will be faced during these negotiations is the planned missile defense system in Europe that the US has planned. Russia feels that these missiles need to be taking in to consideration when the time comes, since once the number of nuclear missiles are reduced it will return conventional missile back to their former glory in the power balance. Russia also wants a reduction in the delivery systems for the warheads too. Despite these issues both sides hope to have a new draft of the treaty by the end of this year, even though that might be kind of difficult. America hoping to use this new arms treaty as a way to bring back some of its creditability in the world that has be lost of the last few years; especially in the morality department. They also hope that it will strengthen their ability to pressure other countries with nuclear ambitions, like North Korea and Iran.