On air: Is it important that the US and Russia trust each other?
|
Thursday, 12 Dec. 2010
|17:50 - 19:00 GMT
"This is the most significant arms control agreement in nearly two decades and it will make us safer and reduce our nuclear arsenals along with Russia"
They were President Obama's words referring to the New Start treaty was approved by 71 votes to 26 in the US Senate. Russia says it may begin ratifying it on Friday.
Under the deal, Russia and the US will cut deployed nuclear warheads by 30% and establish a new system for monitoring and verification. Here's exactly how it differs from previous treaties.
As significant as this treaty is, many people say it's what it symbolises for the relationship between Russia and the US which is more important. After a period of strained relations is this what will help rebuild trust on both sides?
Senior Republicans aren't convinced. They argue that the treaty could compromise US national security, handing Russia influence over American missile defence strategy, lacked sufficient procedures to verify Russia's adherence and deserved more time for consideration.
In contrast, President Obama has argued that ratification of New Start was vital to US national security and made the agreement a key plank of the president's much-heralded "re-set" of relations with Russia. The White House is also counting on Russia to help pressure Iran over its nuclear ambitions.
Jimoh in Nigeria emailed the 大象传媒
"I think the treaty is a justification of nobel peace awarded to Obama."
Ankur in Bahrain posted on our Facebook page
"The Americans evidently have numerous nuclear warheads placed all over Europe. How can one expect Russia to trust America?"
Mulya in Uganda writes on Facebook
"In the end, this is just another piece of paper destined for eternal idleness."
Is this a re-set of relations for the two countries? Indeed a victory for President Obama? Thirty years ago it would have been argued that it was the most important relationship in the world. Today is that still the case? How important is that relationship to world stability?
Your comments
Comment sent via SMS
18:21
114309255
Mr gbago need to go,the solution to that is force,the un need to understand that.mohammed swaray new georgia liberia.
Comment sent via host
18:43
113631290
We''re moving on to talk about Ivory Coast now. Post your comments here.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:42
113631290
Paul in the US: We Americans aren't the least bit concerned about Russia USING nukes. We're worried about Russia LOSING nukes. That's why this treaty is important to us.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:38
113631290
Wilson: What is annoying is the way people want to belittle what Obama has achieved. 30% is a start how long has it been since this sort of thing was attained.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:37
115977171
@大象传媒_WHYS america needs a greater ally in russia to counter a growing china in the years to come
Comment sent via Facebook
18:34
113631290
Tony: There can never be a reconciliation of opposing ideologies. Either one lives, or both die or an improved but totally different ideology is born from the demise of the two conflicting ones.
Comment sent via SMS
18:27
112768572
With the sizmic shift from west 2 asia,a pack between russia n the us isnt that important.they r not world powers anymore.they r bare "teet" tigers.fabian,jam.
Comment sent via SMS
18:21
115797920
Russia has not used nukes to kill anyone, The US has in Hiroshima and nagasaki. i trust nukes in the hands of russia than in US hands. Innocent,Kampala
Comment sent via Facebook
18:28
113631290
Daria in Russia: I think it's great I hear so many Russians on WHYS! Yes, I put my hopes and trust among people wherever they live.
Comment sent via SMS
18:21
115929283
We want a nuclear free world not a reduction.America and Russia should lead the world to achieve that goal.I am Muhammed in GHANA.
Comment sent via SMS
18:21
115977068
The U.S and Russia are leading by example. This will pave way for the denuclearization of many "stubborn" states around the globe-Kugonza Fred in Uganda.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:17
113631290
Chuks in Nigeria: It is not enough for Moscow and Washington to trust each other...what matters is the impact such a trust will come to have on the global community - economically, politically, security-wise etc.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:12
113631290
Nshom: The current degree of mistrust between USA and Russia is to great to suddenly metamorphose into trust, at least not in this generation.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:09
113631290
Himubali in Zambia: Its critical for the powers that be to trust each other - at least we have a greater chance for peace.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:07
113631290
Amare in Ethiopia emailed the 大象传媒: In order to combat terrorism, the joint activities of America and Russia are imperative. So, it is an incredible move, not only for the two great powers, but also for world peace.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:05
113631290
Danielle in the US: Of course it's important for the US and Russia to trust each other... Trust is an important factor in any relationship... Even if that relationship is between two countries. The problem with much of the world today is mis-trust, mis-communication and mis-understanding.
Comment sent via Facebook
17:58
113631290
Sanni: With a treaty or not, the mistrust will continue between the two countries by virtue of their superior military power and each is seeing herself as custodian of certain geographical entity. Even if the cold war is cold, the fight for supremacy will linger on.
On air: Is it important that the US and Russia trust each other?
| Thursday, 12 Dec. 2010 | 17:50 - 19:00 GMT
"This is the most significant arms control agreement in nearly two decades and it will make us safer and reduce our nuclear arsenals along with Russia"
They were President Obama's words referring to the New Start treaty was approved by 71 votes to 26 in the US Senate. Russia says it may begin ratifying it on Friday.
Under the deal, Russia and the US will cut deployed nuclear warheads by 30% and establish a new system for monitoring and verification. Here's exactly how it differs from previous treaties.
As significant as this treaty is, many people say it's what it symbolises for the relationship between Russia and the US which is more important. After a period of strained relations is this what will help rebuild trust on both sides?
Senior Republicans aren't convinced. They argue that the treaty could compromise US national security, handing Russia influence over American missile defence strategy, lacked sufficient procedures to verify Russia's adherence and deserved more time for consideration.
In contrast, President Obama has argued that ratification of New Start was vital to US national security and made the agreement a key plank of the president's much-heralded "re-set" of relations with Russia. The White House is also counting on Russia to help pressure Iran over its nuclear ambitions.
Jimoh in Nigeria emailed the 大象传媒
"I think the treaty is a justification of nobel peace awarded to Obama."
Ankur in Bahrain posted on our Facebook page
"The Americans evidently have numerous nuclear warheads placed all over Europe. How can one expect Russia to trust America?"
Mulya in Uganda writes on Facebook
"In the end, this is just another piece of paper destined for eternal idleness."
Is this a re-set of relations for the two countries? Indeed a victory for President Obama? Thirty years ago it would have been argued that it was the most important relationship in the world. Today is that still the case? How important is that relationship to world stability?
Your comments
Comment sent via SMS
Mr gbago need to go,the solution to that is force,the un need to understand that.mohammed swaray new georgia liberia.
Comment sent via host
We''re moving on to talk about Ivory Coast now. Post your comments here.
Comment sent via Facebook
Paul in the US: We Americans aren't the least bit concerned about Russia USING nukes. We're worried about Russia LOSING nukes. That's why this treaty is important to us.
Comment sent via Facebook
Wilson: What is annoying is the way people want to belittle what Obama has achieved. 30% is a start how long has it been since this sort of thing was attained.
Comment sent via Twitter
@大象传媒_WHYS america needs a greater ally in russia to counter a growing china in the years to come
Comment sent via Facebook
Tony: There can never be a reconciliation of opposing ideologies. Either one lives, or both die or an improved but totally different ideology is born from the demise of the two conflicting ones.
Comment sent via SMS
With the sizmic shift from west 2 asia,a pack between russia n the us isnt that important.they r not world powers anymore.they r bare "teet" tigers.fabian,jam.
Comment sent via SMS
Russia has not used nukes to kill anyone, The US has in Hiroshima and nagasaki. i trust nukes in the hands of russia than in US hands. Innocent,Kampala
Comment sent via Facebook
Daria in Russia: I think it's great I hear so many Russians on WHYS! Yes, I put my hopes and trust among people wherever they live.
Comment sent via SMS
We want a nuclear free world not a reduction.America and Russia should lead the world to achieve that goal.I am Muhammed in GHANA.
Comment sent via SMS
The U.S and Russia are leading by example. This will pave way for the denuclearization of many "stubborn" states around the globe-Kugonza Fred in Uganda.
Comment sent via Facebook
Chuks in Nigeria: It is not enough for Moscow and Washington to trust each other...what matters is the impact such a trust will come to have on the global community - economically, politically, security-wise etc.
Comment sent via Facebook
Nshom: The current degree of mistrust between USA and Russia is to great to suddenly metamorphose into trust, at least not in this generation.
Comment sent via Facebook
Himubali in Zambia: Its critical for the powers that be to trust each other - at least we have a greater chance for peace.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Amare in Ethiopia emailed the 大象传媒: In order to combat terrorism, the joint activities of America and Russia are imperative. So, it is an incredible move, not only for the two great powers, but also for world peace.
Comment sent via Facebook
Danielle in the US: Of course it's important for the US and Russia to trust each other... Trust is an important factor in any relationship... Even if that relationship is between two countries. The problem with much of the world today is mis-trust, mis-communication and mis-understanding.
Comment sent via Facebook
Sanni: With a treaty or not, the mistrust will continue between the two countries by virtue of their superior military power and each is seeing herself as custodian of certain geographical entity. Even if the cold war is cold, the fight for supremacy will linger on.