To the Point

Nuclear Treaty Fuels New Russian-US Relationship

Fifty years after its creation as a pan-European security block against the Soviet Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Russia have formed a new partnership. On Monday, at the urging of President Putin, President Bush agreed to sign a treaty on nuclear weapons, laying the Cold War to rest. How strong is the treaty, and how is it being received by Russian hard-liners? Will the traditional Cold War rivals really be able to cooperate against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction? We look at Russia-s developing relationship with the US and NATO, and continuing efforts toward non-proliferation, with a Russian security expert, and former advisors to Presidents Boris Yeltsin, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan. Newsmaker: Islamic Militants Stage Deadly Attack in Kashmir A terrorist attack in India has killed 30 people and wounded 48 more in the province of Jammu and Kashmir. Holding Pakistan "directly responsible," India's President Vajpayee says there must be retaliation. Celia Dugger, of the New York Times, has reaction from New Delhi and Karachi, and an update on Washington's attempts to end the violence. Reporter's Notebook: Arafat Calls for Reform Israel, the Arab world and the US are all demanding reform of the Palestinian Authority, something Palestinians have been demanding for years. Now, in a televised speech to the Palestinian Legislative Council, Yasser Arafat has called for reform and elections. Khalil Shikaki, Director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, reports that Palestinians found Arafat's speech long on rhetoric but short on substance.