WASHINGTON -- While awaiting word on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, Russian President Vladimir Putin has just reiterated his desire for deep cuts in nuclear forces. Reportedly, he would consider a treaty allowing Russia and the United States only 1,000 strategic nuclear warheads each. Although Putin's proposal springs largely from Russia's economic weakness, it is a very sound idea, and whoever winds up winning Florida's electoral votes would be well advised to take his suggestion seriously.
Today the U.S. has about 8,000 long-range strategic nuclear warheads and Russia has 6,500 -- on top of many thousands more tactical and reserve warheads on each side. The strategic numbers are supposed to be cut in half by START II, assuming that it actually goes into effect, and both countries are committed to a START III process to make further cuts. But discussion of reductions below about 2,000 to 2,500 strategic warheads has met resistance within the U.S. defense establishment.
However, deep cuts to around 1,000 warheads on each side make eminent sense. Ideally, that ceiling would apply not only to strategic arsenals, but to the sum total of all strategic, tactical, and reserve warheads for each country. One need not believe that it will soon be possible to abolish all nuclear weapons to support such an agenda for major additional nuclear reductions.