By Sunny Yang, Mimi Hall and Tom Vanden Brook

USA TODAY, 11/23/2010

BEIJING — China says it sees no need to go after North Korea for its attack on a South Korean island that left two dead while some Korea experts say the Obama administration must respond strongly to the latest provocation from the Stalinist regime.

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Consensus member and former Deputy US Military Representative to NATO, Brigadier General John Adams, USA (Ret.), discussed why the New START treaty needs to be ratified now on MSNBC’s The Daily Rundown.

Gen. Adams said:

“This morning, I saw sign that the fire marshall has inspected the elevator for fire safety. I trust the hotel, but I’d like to see the sign that the fire marshall has verified it’s safe from fire. The same with the treaty. We need to get our inspectors back on the ground to verify and monitor the Russian nuclear arsenal. The idea of having 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons between us and the Russians without verification, without monitoring, it’s just irresponsible.”

By Donald Kerrick

Sun Sentinel, 11/21/2010

On Dec. 5, 2009, America lost the ability to inspect Russia’s strategic nuclear arsenals. The verification regime that for 18 years shed an illuminating light on Russia’s nuclear weapons program ended when the first START treaty expired. (more…)

By Steve Benen

The Washington Monthly, Political Animal, 11/21/2010

It wasn’t too long ago that there were certain expectations about political and military policy. If, in the midst of two wars, the Pentagon asked Congress for some help, lawmakers were likely to oblige. This was especially true of Republicans, who took pride in characterizing themselves as the “pro-military” party. (more…)

By Greg Sargent

Washington Post, The Plum Line, 11/20/2010

President Obama devoted his weekly address this morning to urging passage of the New Start treaty. Obama mostly took the high road: Though he noted that Senator Jon Kyl had raised objections that the White House had answered, he didn’t make the case that Senate Republicans are obstructing the treaty for political reasons or criticize them in any way. (more…)

By Mimi Hall and David Jackson

USA TODAY, 11/21/2010

WASHINGTON — President Obama, back from his second overseas trip in two weeks, now faces a foreign policy predicament at home that some national security experts warn could undermine improved U.S.-Russian relations and his leadership around the globe. (more…)

Analysts say uncertainty over ratifying nuclear treaty throws into doubt US policies on Iran, Afghanistan.

By Lachlan Carmichael

AFP, 11/21/2010

Uncertainty over ratifying a landmark nuclear treaty not only throws into doubt the “reset” in US-Russia ties but also broader US policies on Iran, Afghanistan and arms control, analysts say. (more…)

By Mary Beth Sheridan
Washington Post, 11/19/2010

An unusual split has opened between conservative Republicans and the American military leadership over the U.S.-Russia  nuclear treaty, with current and former generals urging swift passage but politicians expressing far more skepticism.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has called the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) “essential to our future security.” Retired generals have been so concerned about getting it ratified that some have traveled around the country promoting it. (more…)

The Consensus for American Security hosted a press conference call on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 10:30AM with Amb. Linton Brooks and Lt. Gen. Dirk Jameson who discussed the latest developments on the ratification process for the New START treaty. (more…)

The Consensus for American Security hosted a press conference call on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 10:30AM with Amb. Linton Brooks and Lt. Gen. Dirk Jameson who discussed the latest developments on the ratification process for the New START treaty. (more…)