The prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)—is one of the few areas where U.S. and Russian vital interests coincide. Both states consider WMD proliferation as a major national security threats it faces.
The events of September 11 and the subsequent establishment of the antiterrorist coalition may create a new U. S.-Russia strategic partnership. After a short (but deplorable) delay, Russia has joined the international antiterrorist coalition. President Vladimir Putin has thus made an important choice to support U.S. efforts to destroy terrorists on the territory of Afghanistan.
The strategic rapprochement with the United States has become a critical component of Putin’s foreign strategy. He strongly confirmed that position on the eve of and during his visit to Washington, D.C., and Crawford, Texas, in November 2001. Cooperation in counterproliferation and counterterrorism and particularly in such sensitive areas as WMD, their components, their technologies, and their delivery systems may become a key issue on the bilateral strategic agenda. […]
