President Obama plans to restart aggressive talks with Russia aimed at reducing both nations' nuclear arsenals by 80% to 1,000 warheads each, the Times of London reports. Obama will set up a special White House office to oversee the talks, aimed at forging a treaty to replace the 1991 START pact. Russia has been more flexible on the subject since Obama announced the US will review plans to put a missile-defense shield in Europe.
“We are going to re-engage Russia in a more traditional, legally binding arms reduction process,” said an administration official. “We are prepared to engage in a broader dialogue with the Russians over issues of concern to them. Nobody would be surprised if the number reduced to the 1,000 mark for the post-START treaty.” (More President Obama stories.)