The New START treaty, which placed limits on the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems for the United States and Russia, officially expired on Thursday. This marks the first time in more than 50 years that neither country is bound by a formal agreement restricting their nuclear arsenals. Both nations now face no legal constraints on the size or scope of their strategic nuclear forces.
The expiration raises questions about the future of nuclear arms control and whether it could lead to an increase in nuclear weapons development or deployment. While neither side has announced immediate plans to expand their arsenals, the absence of a binding treaty removes previous verification and transparency measures.
**Why this matters**
The New START treaty was a key element in maintaining strategic stability and transparency between the two largest nuclear powers. Without legally binding limits, there is increased uncertainty about each country’s nuclear capabilities and intentions. This could affect global security dynamics and complicate efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation or reduce the risk of nuclear conflict.
Source: NewsData