The world is on the brink of a potential nuclear arms race as the US and Russia's landmark nuclear weapons treaty, the New START agreement, is set to expire on Thursday. This treaty, signed in 2010, was a crucial step in preventing a catastrophic nuclear war, capping the number of strategic nuclear warheads at 1,550 for each party and ensuring transparency through data transfer, notifications, and on-site inspections. The expiration of this treaty marks the end of a significant era in arms control cooperation between the two nations, which played a pivotal role in ending the Cold War. The situation is further complicated by the fact that other long-standing arms control treaties have already been abandoned, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Agreement, the Open Skies Treaty, and the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty. The world is witnessing a concerning trend where nuclear weapons are becoming more prominent, with countries like Russia and the US investing in the modernization of their nuclear arsenals and developing advanced weapons systems. Russia's Dmitry Medvedev warns that the expiration of the New START treaty should alarm everyone, especially given the current nuclear threats and rhetoric. However, US President Donald Trump seems less concerned, stating that if the treaty expires, they will simply negotiate a better agreement. The US also believes that any future arms control treaty should include China, which is rapidly expanding its nuclear capabilities. Russia, on the other hand, advocates for the inclusion of France and the UK in any future treaty. The situation is further complicated by the fact that both the US and Russia are currently modernizing their nuclear forces and increasing their strategic capabilities, leading to a new arms race. Darya Dolzikova, a senior research fellow, highlights the concern that these expanding military capabilities will make it even more challenging to reach a new arms control treaty. The world is at a critical juncture, with the potential for a new arms race and the increasing salience of nuclear weapons as a deterrent. The lack of urgency from both the US and Russia to sign a new treaty is a cause for alarm, as the world grapples with the possibility of a more volatile and dangerous era.
