HONOLULU -- It looks like the Antiballistic Missile Treaty is destined to end, not with a bang, but with a whimper. Earlier doomsday predictions notwithstanding, Washington's unilateral withdrawal from the treaty (the required six-months' notice was given Dec. 13) is not expected to usher in a new Cold War between the United States and Russia. Nor is it likely to undermine the other Soviet-era strategic arms reduction agreements, or to prompt a new arms race between the two nuclear giants.
In fact, both sides have agreed to significant new reductions in their respective nuclear arsenals coincident with the treaty-withdrawal announcement.
Nonetheless, abrogating the ABM Treaty was a singularly bad idea. While Moscow has little alternative but to accept Washington's decision and to proceed with the crafting of a new, more positive relationship with Washington, this unilateral decision will damage Russian President Vladimir Putin's domestic credibility and make it harder for him to expand his cooperation with the U.S.