The President of the US Barack Obama during his
final six months in the office is planning to develop new initiatives to
advance the nuclear agenda, including the extension of the Treaty on
Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive
Arms. Among other suggestions are a "no first use” policy for the US
nuclear arsenal and draft of the UN Security Council resolution
affirming a ban on the testing of nuclear weapons.
Obama announced his plans to review the options on the US nuclear
policy, which may include removal of deployed nuclear weapons,
restrictions on the modernisation of the US "nuclear triad” and delay in
development of a new nuclear cruise missile. The Obama’s administration
is also considering the extension of the Treaty between the US and
Russia on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic
Offensive Arms also known as the New Start Treaty, even though it
expires only in 2021.
According to the Washington Post,
the decision on the extension of the New Start Treaty, which entered
into force in 2011, and is considered as a part of the Obama’s foreign
policy achievements can be taken soon since it does not require formal
congressional approval.
Opponents of the Obama’s initiatives argue that changes in the US
nuclear policy will have negative influence on its allies in Europe and
Asia, considering the present geopolitical situation. However advocates
of the new plans examine the proposed initiatives as the Obama’s last
chance to keep his promises given during the first tenure, which also
include the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, albeit with no
specific deadline attached.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/us-plans-review-options-nuclear-policy/