Carnegie Moscow Center
While nuclear arms control is enjoying a renaissance of late, whether that momentum dissipates or leads to further agreements will require a painstaking effort by U.S. and Russian diplomats and experts to move past Cold War prejudices and the mistakes and misunderstandings of the post-Cold War era.
The 2011 conference focused on new actors and new agendas, reflecting the need to develop cooperative responses to challenges being posed by changing technology, distributions of political power, interest in nuclear energy, and security conditions in key regions.
As U.S. policy seeks to create the conditions that would allow for deep reductions in nuclear arsenals, the United States and Russia can undertake a practical approach to their stockpiles to 500 nuclear warheads each and those of other nuclear-armed states to no more than about half that number.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, but the nature of the organization and its role remain somewhat unclear.
Russia’s choice to abstain on the UN Security Council resolution on Libya demonstrates that Moscow’s new foreign policy is shaped by its vital interests and its desire to maintain good relations with both the EU and the United States.
Nuclear disarmament faded from media attention after the New START agreement was signed, but it remains a challenge for the world.
Although Russia, the United States, and American allies have been loath to downsize their nuclear arsenals, deep reductions would not undermine a nation’s security since arsenal size has little bearing on effectiveness of deterrence.
The U.S.-Russia "reset" will face significant challenges as it matures. Both sides must show sensitivity and flexibility in recognizing each other’s political and security constraints, and think creatively to find possible common ground.
The U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission established by Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev opened a new chapter in bilateral relations between the United States and Russia, with a focus on institutions, specific deliverables, and long-term perspective.
Recently, NATO and the European Union have made significant efforts to engage with Russia as an important partner for both France and the wider EU.