US to pull out of Nuclear Treaty with Russia
February 1, 2019
Mike Pompeo announced that the United States will pull out of Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) with Russia. “Russia’s lawless conduct will not be tolerated,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, adding that China has also taken advantage of U.S. restrictions.
The INF signed in 1987 was a Treaty Between The United States Of America And The Union Of Soviet Socialist Republics On The Elimination Of Their Intermediate-Range And Shorter-Range Missiles (INF Treaty). Coined by many as the centerpiece of superpower arms control since the Cold War, has come under suspicion as Russia has been in violation of the treaty.
According to the Guardian, the treaty, "Signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, it led to nearly 2,700 short- and medium-range missiles being eliminated, and an end to a dangerous standoff between US Pershing and cruise missiles and Soviet SS-20 missiles in Europe."
While analysts in the main stream media worry that leaving the treaty will cause an arms race between the United States and Russia,the American public needs to remember that in 2014, It was discovered by the Obama administration that Russia was not in compliance with the treaty. The Obama Administration, issued a warning to Russia at the time of discovery that they were not in compliance of the treaty, however did nothing to stop their possession, production or test flights of their intermediate range nuclear missiles.
The missile in question that broke the treaty is the Novator 9M729. This missile has the range capability of 500 - 5500 Km range. It has the capability of striking American forces in Europe as well as American allies in European countries.
President Trump stated that, "the U.S. “has fully adhered” to the treaty for more than 30 years, “but we will not remain constrained by its terms while Russia misrepresents its actions. We cannot be the only country in the world unilaterally bound by this treaty, or any other.”
US News and World report wrote, "NATO allies "fully support" the United States' pending withdrawal notice from the INF nuclear missile pact over Russia's actions, a statement by the alliance said."
"The United States is taking this action in response to the significant risks to Euro-Atlantic security posed by Russia's covert testing, production, and fielding of 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile systems," it said. "Allies fully support this action."
Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina said, withdrawal is “absolutely the right move” because “the Russians have been cheating.”
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