The world is on the brink of a new arms race as the last nuclear pact between the US and Russia expires, raising concerns about global instability and the risk of nuclear conflict. The New START Treaty, signed in 2010, was set to expire on Thursday, removing any caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in over half a century. This development has sparked fears of an unconstrained nuclear arms race, with Russia's President Vladimir Putin declaring his readiness to stick to the treaty's limits for another year if the US follows suit. However, President Donald Trump has been noncommittal about extending the treaty, indicating a potential shift in US nuclear policy.
The termination of the New START Treaty could lead to a dangerous three-way arms race, involving not only the US and Russia but also China, which is increasing its smaller but growing nuclear arsenal. This scenario is further complicated by Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defense system, which has worried both Russia and China. The US's potential resumption of nuclear tests, banned by a global treaty, could also trigger a nuclear arms race, with Russia threatening to respond in kind. The world is heading towards accelerated strategic competition, with increased spending and unstable relations involving the US, Russia, and China on nuclear matters.
The expiration of the New START Treaty has been a concern for arms control advocates, who warn that it could lead to a new Russia-US arms race, foment global instability, and increase the risk of nuclear conflict. Pope Leo XIV called for the treaty not to be abandoned without ensuring its concrete and effective continuation. The failure to agree on keeping the pact's limits will likely encourage a bigger deployment, as Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, warned. The world is at a critical juncture, with the potential for a dangerous period of global nuclear competition, the likes of which we've not seen in our lifetimes.
