Failing to ratify the treaty would be a major foreign policy blunder that could seriously damage diplomatic relations with Russia and even open the door for a renewed nuclear arms race. Unless the Senate wishes to create new challenges to American security and international stability, it must ratify New Start.

The treaty potentially sets the stage for more ambitious nuclear arms reduction measures in the future. However, the treaty itself is a cautious agreement reflecting unfortunate political realities, and does little to bring the world closer to eliminating the threat of nuclear weapons.

Presidents Obama and Medvedev have begun negotiating a New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). New START, however, has drawn criticism from numerous Republican senators, including John McCain, greatly polarizing the issue and hindering a treaty critical to the continued security of America.

US involvement is crucial to ensuring that a rescue package is formulated and organized according to the principles of austerity. France and Germany are hesitant to offer assistance, but could be persuaded if the United States emphasizes the importance of the Greek situation to the global recovery and the perils of allowing the crisis to spread.

A strong government push against the power of organized crime will cut off both the illegal activities of mafia families and the avenue for illegal immigration at the same time: Prendere due piccioni con una fava. That is, kill two birds with one stone.

Europe, with the exhaustion following the Lisbon treaty and the lack of future direction it provided, will only gain international respect if it can harness the treaty’s potential and work toward a more maximalist EU.