3 International Commitments Obama Wants to Tie the US to Before Leaving Office

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Heritage Foundation:

Before leaving office, President Barack Obama could commit the United States to two actions affecting its nuclear arsenal, and a third on much smaller weapons.

 

“We will continue to review … steps to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in our security strategy,” @StateDept says.

 

Ahead of Obama’s final trip to the United Nations General Assembly next week in New York, the administration is fending off criticism for potential plans to pledge the United States won’t strike another nation with nuclear missiles unless the other nation attacks first. Also, the administration is pushing a U.N. Security Council resolution regarding an international ban on nuclear testing, which, aside from policy, could also raise separation of powers questions.

 

The consideration of such measures comes at a time when the North Korean government has drawn increased attention for testing of its nuclear arsenal.

 

Separately, the administration has already said it would up its effort in a long-shot attempt to get the Arms Trade Treaty ratified.

 

‘No First Strike’ Pledge

 

The administration isn’t rebutting conflicting reports about plans to commit the United States to not striking with nuclear weapons unless attacked first. The Daily Signal asked the State Department if the administration will pursue the “no first use” nuclear strategy.

 

“As we have said, we will continue to review our planned modernization program, assess whether there are additional steps to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in our security strategy, and pursue ways to strengthen the global nonproliferation regime further,” State Department spokeswoman Julie Mason told The Daily Signal in an email.