United States, Landmine Producer: In Good Company?

As more and more countries refuse to produce landmine weapons, the United States is currently producing its first new mine in over 10 years.

Nicknamed "the spider," this new weapon puts the United States on the same short list of nations that includes Iran, North Korea and Burma, a list of countries producing landmine weapons banned by an international treaty.

The Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, an international treaty to ban landmines, has been signed by 151 countries. The United States has refused to sign it, citing the need for the U.S. military to have flexibility in war operations.

Scott Stejan of the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines says the U.S. policy sets a bad example and puts the country in dubious company with rogue nations. "Other countries who continue to use mines and have lots of affects in their countries, they hide behind the United States," says Stejan. "The United States action provides cover for them."