The other nuclear debate

There is a negotiation going on between India and the US to change India’s nuclear program. Currently, India’s civilian and military programs are combined, which Bush wants immediately separated in the next three weeks. India has offered to do this gradually, but that doesn’t appear to be supported. Also, Bush wants more international oversight of India’s nuclear programs. Specifically, the new “fast-breeder” nuclear reactors. These reactors have failed in Japan, and are dangerous because they run off of spent nuclear fuel. India says that oversight would impede on their scientific progress. I happen to agree with the president on the issue of oversight, but I write this to highlight a decline in American influence overseas. This is a glaring example of America losing its ability to negotiate with foreign nations due to our lack of progressive policy at home. America is subject to no oversight, and runs the second largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world (according to wikipedia). I hope that a regime change allows America greater worldwide respect, and that this won’t be a very long process to regain our diplomatic power in the world. Don’t get me wrong; America wields tremendous diplomatic authority in the world, but we surely are not viewed as a benevolent super-power that can achieve what we used to diplomatically.