The president of the United States, Barack Obama, has asked other countries to do “everything possible” to prevent terrorist groups like the Islamic state from obtaining the necessary material to produce a nuclear weapon and invited to share more intelligence information for avoid new attacks. Obama spoke at the Fourth Summit on Nuclear Security, underway in Washington, attended by over 50 countries.  And the leaders of the world have declared themselves united in their commitment to keep nuclear weapons away from terrorists but warn that the atomic threat is “in constant evolution”. “There is still a lot of work to be done to prevent non-national actors from getting nuclear or other radioactive material that could be used for malevolent purposes,” read the joint statement released at the end of the Washington nuclear summit. “We confirm our commitment to the common goal of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy”, the statement continues, pointing out that the road to “a peaceful and stable international environment” passes through the fight against threats represented by atomic weapons in the wrong hands. And if progress has been made, security requires “constant vigilance” and countries guarantee that they will continue to consider it “a priority”. Five “action plans” have been attached to the declaration to improve the coordination of member states with the Atomic Energy Agency and Interpol. “IS has already used chemical weapons and there is no doubt that if these madmen got their hands on an atomic bomb or nuclear material, they would use them to kill as many people as possible “. the US president told the world leaders gathered in Washington for the nuclear summit, in the aftermath of the Brussels attacks and the news on the possibility that the terrorists have targeted nuclear power plants. “In light of the constant threats of terrorist organizations, we join our partners and allies – the American president underlined – to renew our efforts against terrorism, to prevent the world’s most dangerous network from coming into possession of the most dangerous weapons of the world”

An eventuality so devastating that it would “change the world”. It is the threat of nuclear terrorism, “the greatest threat” according to the president of the United States. To stop her, she asks over 50 leaders from as many countries in Washington for the Nuclear Security Summit to reinforce the commitment and not to lower their guard. A necessary common effort, “a challenge of the 21st century that no country can win on its own”. With these words and this appeal Obama also wants to put the seal on his initiative on nuclear safety launched in 2009 and that has gone through the negotiation with Iran until the challenge launched by the ISIS that characterizes the conclusion of his presidential mandate.

So, if to reduce the risks of nuclear terrorism the US president recognizes “tangible progress”, if he remembers that so far, the terrorists have not taken up nuclear material, at the same time the risk that IS or other groups reverse the trend is concrete. And then: “There is no doubt that if fools ever put their hands on nuclear material, they would almost certainly use it to kill as many innocent people as possible. The only effective defense against nuclear terrorism is to put in safety such material to ensure that it does not get into the wrong hands “.

For Italy at the top there is the president of the Council Matteo Renzi, with the delegation Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni. Italy’s commitment to nuclear safety that “will continue with great determination”, tweets. And in the plenary session he also emphasizes the importance of education and the culture of peace. But it leaves no room for doubt on the determination when, talking to journalists, he stresses that no, “at the moment there are no specific elements of alarm”, but “it is obvious – he says – that everything that is prevention is studied with great attention”.

In mind, for everyone, there is the IS and it is also discussed in a special session on the sidelines of the summit, scheduled for some time but which assumes an undoubted “sense of urgency” after the attacks in Brussels on March 22 last, has emphasized the White House. For Obama it is an opportunity to take stock with the presence in Washington of the leaders of the countries most involved in the struggle. Yesterday he talked bilaterally with President Francois Hollande, reiterating the urgency to stop terrorism.

The two also spoke of Libya, with Obama saying he was convinced of the need to solidify a structure in the country that would prevent ISIS from using that territory as a future stronghold “. However, among the leaders there was no talk of intervention, he explained Renzi, reiterating the Italian line of “balance” and no headlong rush. new to do so, and new impetus in an attempt to make their mark, although it is unclear what direction it will take in the ‘after Obama ‘ the marked road.

the agreement with the Iran. A point but Obama has put it and, for now, it is firm: in Washington it is the occasion to speak also of the agreement with Iran on its nuclear program. With the members of 5 + 1 the US president calls it a “substantial success”, an example of what the united international community can achieve, he said. The Iranians, he added, “are beginning to see the benefits”.

The Putin problem. “I would prefer to further reduce our nuclear arsenal,” states US President Barack Obama, who went on to mention the relationship with Russia on this issue: “Because Vladimir Putin came to power, or returned to his post as president, Because of his vision of emphasizing military power instead of developing within Russia and diversifying the economy, we have not seen the kind of progress I would have hoped to achieve with Russia – the good news is that the chances of progress remains, “he explained in response to questions from journalists at the press conference closing the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.

The use of drones. The US president has admitted that the use of drones in opposing the Islamic State has sometimes produced killings of innocent civilians, but strongly defends the work of his administration: “Our actions are aimed at hitting important targets of terrorism “Our procedures are rigorous and there are constant evaluations to avoid possible errors.”

The Erdogan case. “Concern” Turkey led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan. President Barack Obama stressed this asked about recent developments in the country, during the nuclear summit. “I told him directly: it is no secret that there are some trends in Turkey that worry me,” explained the American leader. With Turkey and with Erdogan there is strategic closeness and productive partnership for the president of the United States Barack Obama, who however underlines how “it is not a secret that compared to certain trends in Turkey I am in difficulty”. Obama then underlined his convictions on the subject of freedom of the press, religious freedom, democracy, “and there is no doubt – he said – that President Erdogan was elected several times through a democratic process, but I believe that the course taken with respect to the press could bring Turkey on a problematic path “