New START Expiration | HTK

The podcast centers on the expiration of the New START treaty and its implications for global nuclear security. It highlights the divergence in nuclear force development between the U.S., which has shown restraint under New START, and Russia and China, which have significantly expanded their arsenals. Heather Williams presents data illustrating Russia and China's build-up of both strategic and non-strategic nuclear weapons while the U.S. has reduced its systems. The discussion explores potential U.S. responses, including uploading warheads, developing new theater-range capabilities, or focusing on conventional deterrence. The panel also debates the future of arms control, considering options from head-of-state summits on risk reduction to new agreements encompassing non-strategic nuclear systems, while grappling with the challenge of Russian non-compliance and the need for U.S. nuclear modernization.