Topic: Arms Treaty

Russia suspends its participation in the New START nuclear arms control treaty. Following the announcement, Vladimir Putin held a massive rally in a Moscow stadium attended by an estimated 200,000 people to demonstrate national unity.

Tensions between the US and Russia regarding arms treaties were characterized as a potential ploy to drive defense spending and stimulate the economy. The discussion noted Donald Trump's affinity for the military, possibly stemming from his education at a military academy. The "ratcheting up" of rhetoric is viewed by some as a manufactured crisis to justify increased production of "war stuff."

President Trump expresses hesitation to cancel a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, citing the potential loss of over a million American jobs. Meanwhile, National Security Adviser John Bolton prepares for a trip to Moscow following Trump's announcement that the U.S. will withdraw from a Reagan-era nuclear treaty due to Russian violations involving prohibited cruise missiles.

Samantha Power faced a Senate confirmation hearing for her nomination as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The hosts analyze her speech patterns, noting a high frequency of "ums" (calculated at nearly 15 per minute), and her responses regarding the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty. Senator Rand Paul questioned her on whether the military takeover in Egypt constituted a coup, while Senator John McCain pressed her on the use of force in Iran.

The ongoing conflict between the CIA, FBI, and Pentagon is framed within the context of upcoming budget sequestration and the international small arms treaty. The CIA's control of the drone program and the FBI's pattern of "patsy" terrorist arrests are described as competing efforts for career advancement and funding.

State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland discusses the failure to reach a consensus on the UN Arms Trade Treaty. While the U.S. supports the goals of the treaty, officials claim more work is needed to ensure it does not conflict with the Second Amendment. Critics argue the administration is waiting for a more favorable time to "ram" the treaty through the General Assembly.

The United Nations Small Arms Transfer Treaty, discussed in New York in July 2012, is identified as a potential beneficiary of the Aurora shooting narrative. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's support for international arms transfer controls is framed as a move toward a global registry and the eventual disarmament of private citizens. The timing of the treaty discussions relative to the shooting is highlighted as significant.

The Aurora shooting is theorized to be a State Department operation intended to facilitate the UN Arms Transfer Treaty. The discussion also covers the pulling of the "Gangster Squad" movie trailer, which featured a theater shooting scene, and the involvement of the Department of Homeland Security in issuing safety checklists to cinemas nationwide.

An examination of the START Treaty suggests the agreement functions more as an arms trade and price-fixing pact than a disarmament treaty. Specific language regarding "space launch facilities" for ICBMs sparks a theory about the existence of weaponized satellites or lunar bases.

The New START treaty between the United States and Russia is highlighted as an underreported but significant arms control agreement. President Obama and Bill Clinton have both publicly advocated for its ratification. The hosts express distrust of the deal, citing the influence of organized crime in the Russian government.