A New Thrust against Nuclear Weapons

Making News

Governor Names Kennedy Friend, Paul Kirk, as Senator ()

The last wish of the late Senator Edward Kennedy was that Massachusetts appoint a replacement as soon as he died. The state legislature changed the law accordingly, and today Democratic Governor Deval Patrick appointed Paul Kirk, a long time Kennedy friend and former chair of the Democratic National Committee. Massachusetts' primary election will be held in December, the general in January. Josh Kraushaar reports for Politico.com.

Guests:

• Josh Kraushaar: Political Correspondent, Politico, @HotlineJosh

Main Topic

A New Thrust against Nuclear Weapons ()

George W. Bush took a dim view of treaties designed to ban the testing of nuclear bombs and limit proliferation of materials and technology. Today, Barack Obama made history as the first American president to chair a meeting of the UN Security Council and in persuading all 15 members — represented by their heads of state — to approve a resolution including steps toward what the President calls "a world without nuclear weapons." But critics say he's "overselling" provisions that can't be verified and which won't make the world any safer from rogue states or international terrorists. What will it mean for Iran and North Korea?  Will it help persuade the US Senate to ratify the comprehensive test ban treaty it rejected in 1999?

Guests:

• Colum Lynch: UN Correspondent, Washington Post, @columlynch
• Daryl Kimball: Executive Director, Arms Control Association
• Henry Sokolski: former Deputy for Nonproliferation Policy, Defense Department
• James Kitfield: National Security Correspondent, National Journal

Links:

• United Nations conference on nonproliferation
• Sokolski's 'Best of Intentions: America's Campaign against Strategic Weapons Proliferation'
• Sokolski's (National Review) article on Obama's 'misguided' arms control plan
• Arms Control Association on UN Security Council resolution on nonproliferation
• Lynch's article on Obama's push for new nuclear weapons treaty
• 'Toward a Nuclear-Free World' (Shultz, Perry, Kissinger, Nunn letter in WSJ)

Reporter's Notebook

Anglo-Saxon Treasure Found in British Field ()

The Anglo-Saxons ruled England from the 5th Century until the Norman Conquest in 1066. Now, with a metal detector, amateur treasure-hunter Terry Herbert has found an enormous hoard of buried gold and silver that one historian says "will make us rethink the Dark Ages." As many as 1500 sword decorations, crosses and other metal artifacts date back to 7th Century England, the era that celebrated Beowulf's battles with monsters and dragons. Gareth Williams is an expert on antiquities and curator at the British Museum.

Guests:

• Gareth Williams: Curator of Early Medieval Coinage, British Museum

Links:

• Birmingham Museum on display of 'Staffordshire Hoard'