Join Kingston Reif and Thomas Countryman for a members-only briefing on the future of the New START agreement between the United States and Russia.
The Trump administration's terms for nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia falls well short of what is necessary to guard against the use of sensitive nuclear fuel cycle technology for weapons purposes.
New START is the only pact left to limit U.S. and Russian nuclear weapon deployments.
The Trump administration forecasts spending $392 billion next year to maintain U.S. warheads.
Despite official statements to the contrary, the conventionally-armed ballistic and cruise missiles now under development would contribute little to U.S. striking power in a conflict with Russia.
With U.S. withdrawal from the INF Treaty and New START extension "unlikely" despite support from senators, new Secretary of Defense Mark Esper urges new missile deployment to Europe and Asia. Meanwhile, the House and Senate NDAAs differ on how to handle Russian arms control.
Without the INF Treaty—or new proposals from Washington and Moscow—creative and pragmatic solutions are needed to advance progress on nuclear disarmament.
Testimony from Thomas Countryman, board chairman for the Arms Control Association, before the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment.