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The United States today waived sanctions against Chinese entities for missile-related exports to Iran and Pakistan in exchange for a new commitment by China to establish formal and comprehensive missile-related export controls. China announced its intention to publish a formal missile-related export control list, including dual-use items with applications in ballistic missiles, and to require all Chinese entities to obtain an export control license for all controlled items.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on November 13 that the U.S. and Russia could slash their arsenals to 1,500 weapons by 2008. He also suggested that there is room for "wide-ranging cooperation in anti-missile defenses for theatres of military operation."
An effective Indian deterrent against Pakistan and China would require one hundred and fifty nuclear warheads, delivered by missiles or bombers, according to a key advisor to the Indian government on nuclear and strategic issues. Mr. K. Subrahmanyam, a leading member of the National Security Advisory Board, which authored India's Draft Nuclear Doctrine, argues that India should "project a credible deterrence," by working out strategies, policies and a command and control structure. He described India's Draft Nuclear Doctrine as a "most logical, most restrained and most economical" document.
As a result of budget constraints, Russia's Strategic Missile Forces are having problems procuring new missiles, Defense News reports.
On Friday, November 3, the U.S. and North Korea concluded three days of talks in Kuala Lumpur focused on Pyongyang's missile programs without signing any agreements. U.S. lead negotiator Robert Einhorn characterized the discussions as "detailed, constructive and very substantive," but also emphasized that "significant issues remain to be explored."
People who think Bill Clinton will go down in history as a poor foreign policy president are wrong. In the tradition of Eisenhower and George H. W. Bush, he has left ticking time bombs all over the place, any or all of which are likely to go off within the next four years. This will do wonders for his own reputation and provide an escape from chumphood.