If you’re paying any attention to the news, you know that this week marks 100 days into the Obama administration. While some media is downplaying its significance in light of other events, almost everyone is talking about it.

And so are we.

Given Obama’s high approval ratings – as high as 69% by some counts – most reports are providing a largely positive analysis of his first 100 days.

Some of our highlights?

•    Made public statements with Russian President Medvedev of intentions to negotiate a successor to START by the end of 2009.

•    Committed to “immediately and aggressively” pursue ratification of a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty;

•    Sent a video message to the people and leaders of Iran, indicating a willingness for dialogue between the two countries.

•    Stated intention to host a Global Summit on Nuclear Security within the next year and secure all vulnerable nuclear material around the world within four years.

Of course, there are always some reliable adversaries and even those who would prefer not to talk about it.

But we’re neither. Find the complete analysis on Obama’s first 100 days from Center ED John Isaacs here.

 

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What a week for arms control.

Amid the cacophony of voices out there on arms control discussing issues from North Korea’s recent missile test to allegations against Iran, and just days after his joint announcement with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev to pursue a successor to START, President Obama’s voice rang loud and clear this weekend in Prague when he gave what could be the most significant speech of the nuclear age.

Just one highlight?

“As the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear weapon, the United States has a moral responsibility to act. We cannot succeed in this endeavor alone, but we can lead it, we can start it…I state clearly and with conviction America’s commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.”

Not only did he call for a world free of nuclear weapons, but he explicitly outlined steps that reverse the Bush administration policy that made nuclear weapons a central tenet of American national security.  

These steps included:

–A new treaty with Russia this year to reduce nuclear warheads and stockpiles – and then to move to further cuts with the other nuclear powers;
— “Immediately and aggressively” pursuing ratification of a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty;
–Ending the production of fissile materials that can be used in nuclear weapons;
–Strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty;
–Expanding international inspections to detect treaty violations;
–Securing all vulnerable nuclear material around the world within four years;
–Hosting a Global Summit on Nuclear Security within the next year.

Want to write a letter to your members of Congress, asking them to support this plan? Click here.

To read the entire speech, click here.