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As the New START Treaty approaches its expiration date of February 5, 2026 Russia has warned that allowing the treaty to lapse without a successor agreement poses serious risks to international security and global strategic stability.

About New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty)

• The New START Treaty is a bilateral nuclear arms reduction agreement between the United States and Russia, formally named "Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms.
• It was Signed on April 8, 2010, in Prague, it entered into force on February 5, 2011, after ratification by both countries.
• The treaty aims to reduce and limit strategic offensive arms of the two countries.
• It caps the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads at 1,550 for each side, significantly lowering prior limits.
• The treaty includes robust verification measures like satellite monitoring and up to 18 on-site inspections annually to ensure compliance.

Importance of the New START Treaty

• Nuclear Arms Reduction: It limits deployed strategic nuclear warheads of the US and Russia reducing nuclear arsenals and lowering the risk of nuclear conflict.
• Verification and Transparency: It establishes a rigorous verification regime including 18 annual on-site inspections, data exchanges and remote monitoring fostering transparency and trust between the two countries.
• Strategic Stability: By capping and monitoring each side's strategic offensive arms, the treaty plays a crucial role in maintaining global strategic stability between the two largest nuclear powers.
• Prevents Arms Race: It curtails the potential for a costly nuclear arms race and destabilizing military buildup, promoting international security.
• Last Major Treaty: With the collapse of other arms control treaties, New START remains the last major legally binding arms control agreement between the US and Russia.
• Global Security: Its extension and enforcement are vital to broader efforts to reduce nuclear risks worldwide and encourage other nuclear states to engage in arms control.

Challenges facing the New START Treaty

• Suspension and Non-compliance Issues: Russia suspended several treaty obligations in 2023, including refusal of on-site inspections and data exchanges, limiting verification.

• Geopolitical Tensions: The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and related sanctions have exacerbated distrust and complicated arms control dialogue, inhibiting treaty enforcement and future negotiations.
• Inclusion of Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons: The treaty does not cover tactical or non-strategic nuclear weapons, which remain unmanaged and a critical gap in arms control efforts.
• Limited Scope for New Weapon Types: Emerging strategic offensive arms such as hypersonic weapons and new delivery systems challenge the treaty's relevance as it primarily governs traditional ICBMs, SLBMs, and bombers.
• Political Disagreements and Mutual Accusations: Both countries accuse each other of treaty violations and cheating, adding to deteriorating relations.
• Exclusion of Other Nuclear States: The treaty is bilateral and does not include other nuclear powers like China, which Russia asserts should be part of future arms control frameworks.

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