Let the talking begin, and the missile defense shield lag

INTERNATIONAL: "U.S. and Russia Begin Arms Talks With a December Deadline," by Ellen Barry, New York Times, 20 May 2009.

As I argued in the recent Esquire piece, I have no problem with more arms reductions with Russia, especially if it gives us a good out on that idiotic missile shield program (which a recent EastWest Institute study noted was insufficient on any Iranian threat anyway). I just see no utility in going to zero.

This is good and useful work that revives the sort of strategic cooperation which Bush let fall to the wayside in his preference for missile defense. The deal will likely resemble the one Bush and Putin sketched out in 2002.

Comments

[Mark in Texas]

If the Norks launch that missile that they are promising on the Fourth of July and it comes within 1000 miles of Hawaii, the Navy and Army are going to be competing to shoot it down because that is going to guarantee funding for their missile defense program for the next century regardless of who sits in Congress or the Whitehouse.

[Tom Barnett]

I will be amazed if it comes within 100 miles of anything, but yes, now we can get to the real heart of the competition: Go Navy, Beat Army!