Focus of the Nuclear Summit 2010 to Keep Weapons Out of Terrorists' Hands

Forty-seven world leaders meet in Washington DC at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for two days to discuss the securing of loose nuclear material around the world. This effort to gather to discuss a global threat is the largest delegation of world leaders to meet in 60 years. According to President Obama, the single biggest threat to U.S. security would be the possibility of a terrorist organization obtaining a nuclear weapon. President Obama looks for other world leaders to offer a commitment and act with a sense of urgency as they head down the path of non-proliferation.

Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security John Brennan revealed in the White House briefing with Robert Gibbs that the threat of nuclear terrorism is real and growing. Dozens of terrorist groups actively seek these nuclear materials and weapons of mass effect to wage biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear warfare. Mr. Brennan stated that for the past 15 years al Qaeda has been the most recognized and pro-active seekers of these weapons. For this reason the summit will focus on two major issues of nuclear terrorism and nuclear security. It's main goal according to Senator Hilary Clinton in her interview on CBS Face the Nation is to get an agreement and work plan on how each of the participating countries will control nuclear materials or otherwise prevent their spread.

Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary, announced that the Ukraine has committed to get rid of all of their stockpiles of highly enriched uranium by the time of the next nuclear security summit in 2012. The Ukraine will remove substantial amounts of their stockpiles this year. The Ukraine will also convert their civil nuclear research facilities to operate with low and minimal uranium fuel. The US has tried to make happen for the past 10 year. The Ukraine possesses a good deal of highly rich uranium to construct several nuclear weapons. They join the ranks with President Zuma of South Africa who President Obama addressed as a "Moral Leader" in the nuclear issue. As South African is to be hailed for beginning and then complete disarmament of their nuclear program during the years of apartheid.

President Obama showed concern for the stockpiles of older nuclear materials in Russia that need to be secured. Obama made clear that he wants to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to stop North Korea's nuclear agenda. Neither Iran nor North Korea was invited to the summit.

With these nations, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Vietnam in attendance and participating in the summit. Obama has experienced some measure of success thus far with his plan.

This summit is more than just a symbolic gesture. Individual meetings with these leaders thus far has paid off in bringing nations such as Russia and the Ukraine to make a commitment to reduce their stockpiles of nuclear weapons within the next four years. Although, it may be only a handful of countries taking a firm and active stand to reduce this global threat, it is the start of worldwide change. Other nations will follow suit as these initial world leaders comply with their sign declarations.