US and Russia Sign Historic Nuclear Reduction Treaty

The United States and Russia have signed the second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (Start II), agreeing to cut their nuclear warheads by 3,000 to 3,500, marking the most significant reduction in history. This treaty aims to eliminate all land-based multiple-warhead missiles and reduce sea-based weapons to 1,750 each by 2003, reflecting a desire for a future free from nuclear fear, as articulated by both President Bush and President Yeltsin. However, the treaty faces potential opposition in the Russian parliament and requires approval from the US Congress and other former Soviet states. In parallel, grassroots movements in Scotland, highlighted in Annie Jacobsen's book, advocate for nuclear disarmament, emphasizing the flaws of nuclear deterrence and the risks posed by the existence of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is urged to adapt its workforce to support the commercialization of new nuclear technologies, which promise economic and environmental benefits. Additionally, India reports that China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal, potentially reaching 1,000 warheads by 2030, amid broader military build-up concerns.