Washington, DC – US and Russian officials have announced that the New START strategic arms reduction treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the two countries, has officially expired. According to international security experts, this move opens the door to a new nuclear arms race that threatens global stability.
The treaty, which entered into force in 2011, limited the number of strategic warheads and ballistic missiles each side possessed. It was a cornerstone of post-Cold War international security. With its expiration without renewal, the future of US and Russian nuclear arms control remains uncertain. This comes amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Washington over various international security issues, including Ukraine and the Middle East.
Analysts have confirmed that the treaty’s expiration places the world at a dangerous juncture. This phase could witness an increase in nuclear arsenals and the development of more lethal and faster missile technologies, thus reigniting the nuclear arms race. This increases the likelihood of direct or indirect confrontation between the major powers.
The decision has also raised concerns within the international community about its repercussions on the security of allies and the Middle East. Uncontrolled nuclear proliferation poses a direct threat to the region’s stability and further complicates efforts to curb nuclear proliferation and manage international conflicts.
In this context, diplomatic experts have called for a return to dialogue between Washington and Moscow and for the development of new agreements to ensure transparency and reduce the risks of nuclear escalation. They also warned that any negligence in managing this crisis could lead the world into an unprecedented phase of military and political tension.
