Alexander Pikayev, Pavel Podvig, and Nikolai Sokov wrote commentaries on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). Nikolai Sokov, “START Follow-On Talks Successfully Concluded: What’s Next?” James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), March 25, 2010
“The talks proved to be more challenging than some had anticipated—if someone thought that negotiators would simply have to review START I and decide which provisions will have to be kept, they were mistaken….The next stage, which promises to be equally, if not more, challenging is ratification. Yet, both capitals should probably start thinking about the next stage of nuclear arms reduction as early as possible.”
Pavel Podvig, “Assessing START Follow-On,” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, March 29, 2010
“If anything, the new treaty has offered both Washington and Moscow an opportunity to discuss their disagreements. The solutions might not be perfect, but the very fact that they were originated from a dialogue is an incredible step forward….[M]y answer is yes–the effort that went into formulating the new treaty was definitely worth it. With the caveat, of course, that it is only the first step of many.”
Alexander A. Pikayev, “New START: Preliminary Thoughts in Moscow,” James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), April 7, 2010
“The change in the U.S. position toward a new agreement represents a symbolic victory for Russia. Moscow is no longer treated as a second-rate power, and Washington has had to accept the need to maintain a cooperative and “equal” relationship with it in strategic nuclear field. The new treaty also helps Moscow to save money on nuclear modernization….As in the United States, it will be important for Russia to ratify New-START this year.”
