Obama Highlights A World Free of Nuclear Weapons in Berlin Speech

In his much awaited speech in Berlin today, Sen. Barack Obama again reiterated his support for a world free of nuclear weapons:

This is the moment when we must renew the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. The two superpowers that faced each other across the wall of this city came too close too often to destroying all we have built and all that we love. With that wall gone, we need not stand idly by and watch the further spread of the deadly atom. It is time to secure all loose nuclear materials; to stop the spread of nuclear weapons; and to reduce the arsenals from another era. This is the moment to begin the work of seeking the peace of a world without nuclear weapons.

Obama has made the elimination of nuclear weapons a major theme of his campaign, including the release of a television spot that highlights the risk of the weapons falling into the hand of terrorists.

Sen. McCain has also endorsed the same goal in a May 2008 speech.

For more information on the candidates’ positions on nuclear weapons and nonproliferation related issues, check out the following Center analyses:

• Seven Areas of Agreement, and Six of Disagreement, on Nuclear Weapons
• In a Nutshell: McCain vs. Obama on National Security
• Obama vs. McCain: A Side-By-Side Comparison on Arms Control
• Memorandum to McCain and Obama: A New Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Agenda
• McCain's Big Non-Proliferation Speech: Cheers, Jeers, and Questions