President Obama wrapped up the nuclear security summit this week, producing a few vague pledges for cooperation among the 47 nations represented. The discussion focused on the growing threat of nuclear terrorism and keeping ‘loose nukes’ out of the hands of al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.
But less consensus was formed on what to do about the expansion of nuclear states, such as Iran – which was not invited to the summit but plans to host its own nuclear conference next weekend.
Both Russia and China remain hesitant to back any sanctions against Iran. Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Obama during the summit to discuss a possible sanctions framework but the outlook for effective cooperation from Beijing is discouraging. Despite pressure from Obama this week, China evaded any commitment to back a strong sanctions regime.
Sen. Jon Kyl, an outspoken critic of Obama’s nuclear policy, expressed his disappointment in the summit:
“The summit’s purported accomplishment is a nonbinding communiqué that largely restates current policy and makes no meaningful progress in dealing with nuclear terrorism threats or the ticking clock represented by Iran’s nuclear weapons program….Despite the talk at the security summit, it appears we are no closer to tough sanctions or a meaningful Security Council resolution today, seven months after the president said that the regime would face sanctions,” Kyl said. “The president’s policy to deal with Iran is failing.”
See more at Politico: Obama: No guarantee on sanctions
Neil Rosekrans is a founder and partner of StateBrief.com. He has been a guest political commentator for the Arizona Law Channel, NBC's Sunday Square Off and The Terry Gilberg Show on KFYI. Neil earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and earned his MBA and Masters in Public Policy, with an emphasis in International Relations, from Pepperdine University.
Neil and his wife, Beth, live in Scottsdale, Arizona. 
