The Tipping Point

U.S. President Barack Obama recently announced a strategic arms control agreement with Russia in which he refused to give in to demands of limitations on U.S. missile defense, thereby reaching the tipping point of a successful mutual conclusion with Russia on reducing strategic weapons and platforms. The defiance to include limitations on U.S. missile defense is similar to President Ronald Reagan’s stance on missile defense with the former Soviet Union in 1985. This gives the United States a significant tool to defend national security and protect our troops and allies in the Middle East and Asia from current and future missile threats by North Korea and Iran. These efforts also can be applied to stabilize future international crises driven by proliferation.