Administration pushes to finish New START

U.S. and Russian negotiators are set to meet this month as part of an effort to wrap up negotiations by December on a new strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia, Tom Collina of the Ploughshares-funded Arms Control Association writes for Arms Control Today. But even if the two sides meet that timetable, there is a strong possibility the new treaty will not be in force before the current START expires Dec. 5 because the Senate would have to consider and approve it. Administration officials are making plans for that contingency. Assistant Secretary of State for Verification, Compliance, and Implementation Rose Gottemoeller said the administration was putting “the pedal to the metal” to finish negotiations on the new treaty.