Don't abandon channels that have worked. Moscow and Washington could not agree on modifications to the ABM treaty that would have permitted deployment of a limited missile defense, and Clinton left that decision for his successor. Russia clearly fears that Bush will move quickly toward a unilateralist nuclear strategy. The important first step is to engage. If you believe the other side is up to destroying or blackmailing you, you cannot work together.
Arms control is about good governance, and about saving money.
As Americans emerge from their absorption with Florida circuit courts and county canvassing boards, they will find the world waiting to get back to business. Russia's hope is that it will be business as usual on arms control. But even Moscow recognizes that a new day is dawning on old theories of the nuclear balance of terror. As Russia's fledgling president tests US, the latest flash point is arms sales to Iran. While the United States has been mired in presidential uncertainty, Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a diplomatic offensive that could further erode Moscow's fragile relationship with Washington.