I have long felt that there is a false dichotomy between national security and nuclear arms reduction.  If a reduction in our nuclear stockpile prompts other nations to do the same, then we have made our nation more secure.  That is why I have been a long-time supporter of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).  Reducing proliferation, both from build-up within the U.S. and acquisition by foreign nations, is an important task, and U.S. leadership is required.

However, past policies of disengagement from global efforts and tough rhetoric towards other nations proved to be completely ineffective and have only hurt our national security.  That is why I am pleased that President Obama has taken true leadership in counter-proliferation efforts.  He has gained commitments from Russia for a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).  His recent decision to cancel the deployment of unproven ballistic missile interceptors to Eastern Europe has prompted the Russians to remove their own interceptors from Eastern Europe and has focused international counter-proliferation efforts on Iran instead of Eastern Europe.  Finally, the President presided over the United Nations Security Council when it passed a resolution that significantly bolstered the NPT to head-off Iranian and North Korean efforts to build nuclear arsenals.

After so many years of unchecked global nuclear proliferation, renewed U.S. leadership has already paid dividends.  I have long dreamed of the day when the world would be free of these horrific weapons.  While there is still a long way to go, it now looks like we are finally on the right path and I will work in the Senate to make sure we stay on that path.