Next week in Washington, dozens of world leaders will come together for a unique meeting on nuclear security, organized by the United Nations. US President Barack Obama is eager for the leaders to reach an agreement on preventing nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists. While the focus of the meeting will not be on specific countries, discussions on the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, as well as potential new UN sanctions against Iran, are expected to take place during Obama's meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other leaders. Hu's attendance at the summit is seen as a significant win for Obama, as it demonstrates China's commitment to maintaining strong Sino-US relations despite tensions over issues like Taiwan. A draft communique outlining a US proposal to secure all vulnerable nuclear material within four years has been circulated among summit attendees, with revisions expected before its adoption at the end of the meeting on April 13th. Analysts and Western diplomats believe that the summit meeting in Washington, which is one of the largest since World War Two, holds great significance beyond its official agenda. Ian Kearns of British American Security Information Council stated that many people view nuclear security as a narrow technical issue only concerning those worried about nuclear terrorism. He believes that if leaders at the summit address nuclear security properly, it could make nuclear power safer for combatting climate change, strengthen non-proliferation efforts, and increase international confidence in nuclear disarmament. The attendees include leaders such as China's Hu, Russia's Medvedev, France's Sarkozy, and Germany's Merkel, as well as representatives from India, Pakistan, and Israel, all of which have atomic arsenals but have not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran and North Korea have not been invited to the meeting due to their involvement in illicit atomic activities. Pakistan, on the other hand, has been included in the meeting because it has pledged to enhance its internal safeguards. Abdul Qadeer Khan, a disgraced Pakistani scientist, played a key role in providing atomic technology to Iran, North Korea, and Libya. Joe Cirincione, a professor at Georgetown University, believes that the plan to secure nuclear materials globally within four years could greatly improve global security. He stated that if they carry out this strategy, it could effectively prevent nuclear terrorism by preventing radicals from obtaining the one part of the bomb they cannot create themselves. Cirincione is hoping to see if the final communique is more than just a 2-page press release, if the action plan includes specific targets and deadlines, if key nations commit to securing their weapons material within four years, and if the states agree to reconvene in two years to evaluate progress. The agenda includes plans to unite various countries with nuclear programs to collect dangerous atomic material from vulnerable nuclear, defense, and medical facilities globally, a practice that Russia and the United States have been engaged in with the help of the UN atomic watchdog for years. If successful, the summit could demonstrate to the world that the international community is united in enhancing nuclear security and that the US is taking a leading role. The White House recently announced a new policy that limits the US use of nuclear weapons, while cautioning Iran and North Korea that they could still be potential targets. The Nuclear Posture Review, reversing the stance of the former US administration, stated that Washington would not be creating any new atomic weapons. Analysts believe that the US nuclear policy, along with the efforts of Obama and Medvedev in agreeing to reduce their nuclear arsenals, as well as a successful nuclear summit, could pave the way for a productive gathering of NPT signatories in New York next month. The NPT has faced challenges due to North Korea's withdrawal, Iran's pursuit of nuclear technology, and developing nations accusing major nuclear powers of not meeting disarmament commitments. A meeting in New York will focus on possible new UN sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program, with the possibility of discussing Iran on the sidelines of the summit if Obama wishes to do so.