Trump Will Withdraw From Open Skies Arms Control Treaty

President Trump’s decision, the third major retreat from arms control agreements, will be viewed as evidence that he also plans an exit from the last major weapons treaty with Russia: New START.

As reported by the New York Times.

The Washington Post has also reported on this story.

Update on May 21, 2020 by admin

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2020

Contact: Monica Matoush // 202-226-5048

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Smith, Cooper Statement on Trump Administration’s Withdrawal From the Open Skies Treaty

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Jim Cooper (D-TN), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, today issued the following statement in response to reports that the Trump Administration plans to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty:

“The Administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Open Skies Treaty is a slap in the face to our allies in Europe, leaves our deployed forces in the region at risk, and is in blatant violation of the law. This decision weakens our national security interests, isolates the United States since the Treaty will continue without us, and abandons a useful tool to hold Russia accountable.

“What’s more, this decision has been made without any consultation with Congress. Not only does the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act require a minimum 120-days’ notification of the withdrawal notice, but also multiple communications from the House Armed Services Committee and other congressional chairmen have gone unanswered.

“The Trump Administration continues to give Russia the upper hand with regards to arms control, which leaves our allies and deployed forces less protected in Europe. Despite the Department of Defense’s rhetoric about the dire need to prepare for ‘great power competition,’ this decision will undoubtedly do the exact opposite, and further fracture our relationships with allies needed to push back against Russian aggression in the region.”

Update on May 27, 2020 by admin

Beyond Nuclear was hosted on "By Any Means Necessary" to discuss this story:

Trump's Open Skies Treaty Pullout May "Spark a New Cold War Arms Race"

In this segment of By Any Means Necessary hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Kevin Kamps, Radioactive Waste Watchdog at Beyond Nuclear, to talk about President Trump's decision to effectively ax the Open Skies Treaty, what explains Trump's penchant for shredding longstanding nuclear disarmament accords, and why his administration's policies may ignite a new nuclear arms race among dozens of countries currently without them.

Listen to the audio recording, here.