OBAMA AND NUKES - AT 8:55 A.M. ET:  The president has delivered a speech in Prague calling for a world without nuclear weapons.  He began, of course, in high grovel, announcing that America had a special obligation in this case because we are the only country to have used nuclear weapons.  He might have explained the circumstances to the young people in the audience, and that the use of those weapons ended World War II and probably saved the lives of millions.  But, as Gilda Radner used to say, never mind.

The rest of the speech was within reason:

In a speech driven with fresh urgency by North Korea's rocket launch just hours earlier, Obama said the U.S. would ''immediately and aggressively'' seek ratification of a comprehensive ban on testing nuclear weapons. He said the U.S. would host a summit within the next year on reducing and eventually eliminating nuclear weapons, and he called for a global effort to secure nuclear material.

Okay, pretty standard.  He also addressed Iran, and his wording was fine:

Addressing another potential nuclear foe, Obama said in his speech the U.S. will present Iran with ''a clear choice'' to join the community of nations by ceasing its nuclear and ballistic missile activity or face increased isolation.

He said the U.S. will proceed with development of a missile defense system in Europe as long as there is an Iranian threat of developing nuclear weapons. If that threat is removed, he said, ''The driving force for missile defense in Europe will be removed.''

And...

Obama coupled his call for a nuclear-free world with an assurance that America would not unilaterally give up nuclear weapons. It must be a one-for-all, all-for-one endeavor, he said, and until that is possible, the U.S. will maintain a big enough arsenal to serve as a deterrent.

COMMENT:  These are words, not deeds, but words are important.  I did sense that this speech showed a firmer grasp of military reality than Mr. Obama has shown before, and that is all to the good.  We'll see what actions, if any, follow.

April 5, 2009