Russian Nuclear Diplomacy

In February 2010,The Global Zero Summit convened. Two hundred of the world's most eminent leaders, in politics, business, religion and miltiary, including American President Obama and Russian President Medvedev, took part, and these leaders met to address concerns about nuclear armament and world peace. Presidents Obama and Medvedev sent offered words of support for the new Global Zero initiative and as such a new stage in Russia's nuclear diplomacy has begun.

Russia's Nuclear History and the Cold War

While many remember that the first fission weapons, or atomic bombs, were developed by the United States, Canada and Great Britain during World War II, the Soviet Union, which included Russia, by 1945, had its own nuclear program underway.

From the years during and following World War II, the United States and its former Axis ally were taking part in a passive aggressive diplomatic struggle which is historically known as the Cold War. Atomic weapons and their control became a major international issue. The Soviet Union, which had not been invited to participate in Los Alamos, was moving forward with their program and the United States had worked to secure a nuclear monopoly.

The first attempt toward a nuclear policy came in the form of a United Nations plan drafted by Bernard Baruch, which appeared to many as an attempt to limit Soviet nuclear capabilities. The Soviets did not approve the plan, and by August 1949, the Soviet Union tested its first fission bomb, and on this date, the United States monopoly on atomic weapons ended.

Politically, the age of McCarthyism grew and the historical Cold War was underway. Through the 1950s and 1960s, the United States and the Soviet Union attempted to sway the balance of nuclear might through politics and technology. By the 1990s, the talks at evolved from the actually weaponry to capabilities. In January 1967, more than 60 nations signed the Outer Space Treaty banning nuclear weapons in space. There were many more treaties and discussions as America and Soviet leaders fought to create a balance of nuclear power.

In 1991, following many Soviet reforms under Gorbachev, the Cold War officially ended. The United States and the Soviet Union signed the bilateral treaty known as the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I). Also in 1991, the Soviet Block split and Russia, although the successor state of the Soviet Union, emerged as a reformed republic. As the successor of the former Soviet Union, Russia also has the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world and is second to the United States in regards to the size of its ballistic missile submarine fleet. The START I, and subsequent START II, continued in force between the United States and the newly reformed Russian republic.

Boris Yeltsin took over as the first Russian President. After almost 9 years as the leader of one of the world's largest countries, Yeltsin was succeeded by Vladmir Putin in 2000. By 2008, Putin reclaim the post of Prime Minister, and Dmitry Medvedev was elected President of Russia.

Even following the end of the Cold War, there were residual issues, political and economic, between the United States and Russia. The shaky relationship was possibly born of decades of mistrust and military posturing; however, the newer focus on the relationship could not overlook the significance of nuclear armament.

In December 2009, START I had expired. United States and Russia began negotiating a new accord. Even before these negotiations had begun, Russia began plans to rebuild some of its nuclear arsenals. By the beginning of 2010, a new START treaty, Global Zero, was devised and signed by Presidents Obama and Medvedev on April 8, 2010.

Global Zero

Global Zero is a term that implies the eliminate of nuclear arsenals, but specifically is an agreement between the United States and Russia to reduce a specific class of nuclear weapon, intermediate range delivery system related weapons. Under Global Zero, Russia and the United States have also agreed to either reduce or cap the number of launchers, armed missiles, or bombers.

In addition to a reduction in the number of warheads and weapons delivery systems, Global Zero also reestablishes an inspection protocol and body. These inspectors, similar to those under START I, will monitor compliance with the accord.

Many nations are encouraged by the new treaty and are taking part in grassroots movements to educate its citizens about the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons. The Global Zero Plan has various stages, the first of which requires Russia and the United States to cut its arsenals to 1000 total warheads. Sister nations are asked to freeze their arsenals.

Other thoughts

Nine countries have nuclear weapons. Forty more countries have infrastructures in place to support the manufacturer of nuclear weapons. The world is more chaotic with rising terrorist factions and agendas. Nonetheless, many world leaders are encouraged by the signing of the Global Zero accord. Time will tell if the movement and treaty will bring about radical changes in Russia's, and the United States', nuclear diplomacy.

For more information on Global Zero, you can check out the following websites:

http://www.globalzero.org/en/2010-paris-summit

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-zero-leaders-applaud-new-start-treaty-urge-ratification-90219342.html

http://www.globalzero.org/en/faq