A recent issue of the Economist has a parody of Dr. Strangelove on the cover, poking fun at Bush and the recent nuclear deal he signed with India. The lead editorial argues, in a nutshell, that the US Congress should not ratify this treaty because it undermines the NPT and provides justification (and perhaps even further motivation) for countries like Iran who are pursuing nukes. I disagree -- I think the deal is a very good idea.

The recent deal, to recap, essentially makes US nuclear technology and conventional weapon technology available to India. In return, India will place most of its nuclear facilities under international safegaurds and inspections and designate them for civilian nuclear energy only. The problem, of course, is that leaves several nuclear facilities free from inspections, where India can continue to work on building its nuclear arsenal.

This is a good idea for three main reasons.

First, it provides a strong counterweight to China in two big ways. It gives China a suddenly worrisome border to the south which it will have to watch more closely, and Chinese actions in the area will be more closely monitored now that India can use US technology. It also makes a strong US ally of India, thus surrounding China (since Japan is already a strong ally of ours). I really think that containing the China factor is a big part of our reason for making this deal. Impossible to ignore. Incidentally, the Economist barely mentions this piece of the puzzle....I have no idea why.

Second, this is a good idea because India has the desire and money to buy a ton of weaponry from the US. This means jobs, and a boost for the economy. India is looking to buy something on the order of 5 billion dollars worth of weaponry.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, it regulates the growth of India's nuclear arsenal and makes it a heck of a lot more transparent that it is right now. India has acted as a responsible nuclear nation for over 30 years now -- and in response to a growing China will inevitably seek to increase it's nuclear capacity. Much better that it does that legally through channels we can track than otherwise.

Finally, let me point out that there is a massive difference between India and Iran/North Korea. India is democratic, the others are not. India does not support terrorism, the others do. India has zero history of selling or leaking nuclear technologies, the others are actively doing so. India has an open dialogue with almost all countries, the others have a closed dialogue with most countries. And on, and on. Comparing them just does not make sense.

Just my 2 cents. And apologies again for the lack of posting here. I will attempt to earn back your regular readership (if it ever existed) in the near future....