Malaysia’s chairmanship sought to fend off short-term challenges while laying the groundwork for minimizing ASEAN’s longer-term exposure to external stresses.
Elina Noor
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While U.S.-Russian strategic thinking is broadly aligned and an agreement replacing START I is expected to be signed in early April, it remains important to broaden the circle of nuclear powers engaged in the disarmament process.
Source: NHK WORLD

Trenin argues that the Russian leadership regards Obama’s statement as a visionary one, since a nuclear-free world remains a distant goal. The main focus of the Russian government is the practical steps needed to achieve this aim. Trenin expects that an agreement to replace START I will be signed shortly, though the real deadline is the NPT Review Conference in May. He expressed optimism, noting that the United States and Russia share strategic views on arms control.
Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is of crucial importance, Trenin concluded, as is broadening the circle of nuclear powers engaged in the disarmament process.
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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