Since the results of the U.S.'s November 2nd elections came in, Russians have been worrying. With a larger number of Republicans in the Senate, it seems likely that the New Start treaty will not be ratified.
The treaty, which was signed by both President Obama and President Medvedev some months ago, fills a gap left by the old START treaty (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty; see definitions at bottom of page) which expired after fifteen years. Under the agreement, both sides pledge to reduce nuclear weapons and to allow regular inspections and inquiries into nuclear facilities. Republican opposition claims that the new treaty is moving too hastily, putting America at risk by reducing nuclear arms, and wants to put off the ratification until the new Senate convenes. At that point, the treaty - once a central point in our country's foreign policy - will be lost in a slew of other measures and increased party bickering.
And that's a shame, because the New Start would be an affirmation of how both countries have striven to redefine and modernize their respective roles on the international stage. At least the recent meeting of NATO in Lisbon, which President Medvedev attended, showed more promising signs of cooperation (in shield and defense matters; see link below).
From the Moscow Times:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/lavrov-wants-start-passed-in-2010/422787.html
From the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/19/world/europe/19start.html?_r=1&ref=russia
From the BBC, on NATO's meeting:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11799097
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