Kissinger, Powell, et Al.: Ratify New START

The New START treaty got some serious firepower behind it this morning, with the past five Republican secretaries of state writing a Washington Post op-ed in its support. "Although each of us had initial questions about New START," write Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, James Baker III, Lawrence Eagleburger and Colin Powell, "administration officials have provided reasonable answers" and concessions, resulting in "compelling reasons Republicans should support ratification"

Nuclear commanders past and present, Republican-appointed Robert Gates, and other top officials agree that the Obama- and Medvedev-signed treaty “is essential for our national defense.” The treaty gives us a “window into Russia's nuclear arsenal,” while forging a cooperative bond between the US and Russia to deal with “rogue states” like Iran and North Korea, they write. They don’t, however, recommend an “exact timing” for Senate ratification.
(More Henry Kissinger stories.)