Expiration of US-Russia Nuclear Treaty Raises Concerns of Arms Race Involving China
The New START treaty, a pivotal arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, expired on February 5, 2026. This treaty, which had been in place since 2011, limited both nations to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and set caps on various delivery systems. With its expiration, there are no longer any constraints on the nuclear arsenals of the two largest nuclear powers. The treaty's lapse has sparked fears of a potential arms race, particularly as China continues to expand its nuclear capabilities. Critics of the treaty, including President Trump, have pointed out that it did not include China, which is projected to significantly increase its nuclear stockpile by 2035. The absence of a new agreement raises concerns about a three-way arms race among the U.S., Russia, and China. 
