Prospects for the U.S. Ratification of the CTBT and it's entry into force

On September 24, 1996, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was opened for signature and leaders from 179 countries, including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China, have signed the CTBT until today. But the U.S. Senate rejected the CTBT in October 1999. In response to U.S. CTBT policy, key states that have signed the CTBT, such as China and Israel, have delayed their ratification. Other states including India and Pakistan have yet to sign the treaty and it is highly unlikely they will do unless the United States, China finally ratify. Consequently the goal of CTBT entry into force remains unfulfilled, and about a dozen nuclear tests have been conducted after the CTBT was opened for signature. Yet, recent situations and circumstances will give the next U.S. president an opportunity to ratify the CTBT and initiate sweeping changes in U.S. nuclear weapons and arms control policies