Obama, Russia agree to phased nuclear elimination

[tango]

Last night's TV coverage continued to focus on the summit abroad.

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/a...after_d_552.php

NBC's Todd, asked how the admin. feels about what was accomplished: "It was a diplomatic decathlon of sorts. It was unbelievable, what they tried to get done today, in a span of about 12 hours, which normally could have filled up an entire month of an international agenda. They feel the best about what happened with Russia. They are really pushing behind the scenes this idea that, you know, people are not appreciating the significance of restarting nuclear disarmament talks with the Russians."

More Todd: "What I found fascinating was sort of this way that the meetings today that the president had, that they were bookends. ... One was very 20th century, right, a flashback to the '80s, nuclear arms talks with the Russians. And one was very 21st century, an acknowledgement that China, the sleeping giant of the 20th century, is now truly America's equal, at least economically" ("1600," MSNBC, 4/1).

...

Queen Noor, on Obama's meeting with Russian Pres. Dmitri Medvedev: "I think it is a historic and bold breakthrough. It is the first time ever that the American and Russian presidents have committed their countries to work for the total elimination of all nuclear weapons. That was part of this discussion and their declaration that is extremely encouraging" ("Rachel Maddow Show," MSNBC, 4/1).

And tonight, Queen Noor got Steven Colbert signed on to Global 0 - the phased nuclear elimination agreement.

She quoted Obama as saying "Nuclear proliferation is the biggest security threat we face."

96% in the hands of Russia and the US, and the rest (materials) spread around 40 countries.

I think this is exciting, to actually be trying to reduce the threat again.