oscumbo's new nuclear posture means a more dangerous world.
We can now expect an innovative surge in global production of chemical and bioweapons--which have effectively just become a cheaper way to attack the U.S. (and its allies). But there's no reason to expect a reversal in the spread of nukes. Obama's hope seems to be that if America disarms, other countries will feel safer, and out of this some communal effort will arise, fueled by gatherings such as next week's 47-nation nuclear summit in Washington, to scrap the bombs, end the wars and usher in a new era of peace.
In the real world, unfortunately, the calculus runs all the other way. Far from being a major threat, America, nuclear arsenal and all, has long been the world's greatest safeguard: a deterrent, not an accelerant to war. It is precisely the waning of American resolve that is emboldening the likes of Iran, whose leaders have been sniggering at Obama since he first took office, held out a hand and wished them happy New Year. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad greeted this latest U.S. move by mocking Obama as a cowboy, a newcomer, and addressing to him such remarks as "Wait until your sweat dries and you get some experience." Small wonder Ahmadinejad feels free to be so cavalier. All he's had to worry about on Obama's watch is endless talk, nestled in a policy of meaningless deadlines and ever-receding threats of stronger sanctions.
forbes.com
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