The stakes could not be higher. The untimely death of New START with nothing to replace it would open the door to a costly and dangerous new quantitative U.S.-Russian nuclear arms race.
The Trump administration is pressing to replace U.S. ICBMs.
Seventy-five years ago, the nuclear age began with the world's first nuclear weapons test explosion in the New Mexico desert. In this annotated "silent film"-style video essay from the Arms Control Association, we learn about the events that transpired three weeks later with the atomic attacks on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping thinking about national security and geopolitics Understanding these changes is crucial to how we—as advocates, analysts, educators, and engaged citizens—respond.
The United States may begin the process to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty soon. With the fate of New START still undecided, President Trump names a special representative for arms control and continues pushing for a trilateral arms control agreement that includes Russia and China. Russia tests an anti-satellite missile, according to U.S. Space Command.
The New START agreement is now the only treaty capping the world’s two largest nuclear weapons arsenals—and it is in jeopardy. The U.S. and Russian presidents can extend it—and its irreplaceable verification and monitoring system—for up to five years if they choose. The actions of Congress can help protect and extend it. (February 2020)
For decades, national security and health experts have warned of the risks of global threats that are simply too big for one country to handle, such as disease pandemics, climate change, and nuclear war. For many years, the response of our national and global leaders has fallen short.
An oversight official raises concerns about the U.S. ability to modernize its nuclear forces on time and on budget.