Speaking in Prague, Obama Outlines Plan for a World without Nuclear Weapons

During a visit Sunday to Prague for a U.S.-European Union summit, President Obama unveiled plans to cut atomic stockpiles, curtail testing, choke fissile production and secure loose nuclear material. He said he wanted an immediate end to nuclear tests, confirmed he would seek Senate approval of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and would hold a global summit on nuclear security within the next year. Watch the video.

Ploughshares Fund President Joe Cirincione noted that the president's pledge echoes a shift among former U.S. government leaders who once supported maintaining stockpiles of nuclear weapons as a deterrent during the Cold War. He said influential public figures are embracing the strategy because "the threats are real and increasing."  David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security said, "it may take a long time before we get there but our actions should be guided by that vision."