Editorial: Rising expectations over New START talks

June 21 , 2021

In a report issued by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) this month, the total number of nuclear warheads stockpiled by the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea was estimated at 13,080. Of these, some 90% belonged to the US and Russia.

When US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on June 16, they agreed to resume stalled negotiations over a bilateral effort to reduce nuclear arsenals. The Biden administration had already extended in February the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia for five more years.

Given the trend of governments engaging in ever-escalating nuclear arms races worldwide and a subsequent shift in nuclear weapons usability, this is welcome news.

In its June 14 report, SIPRI said that of the 3,825 warheads deployed with operational forces as of January 2021, 2,000 or so are being kept in a high state of readiness.

The principal threat at this time is short- to intermediate-range missiles (500-5,500km) that had been banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by the former Soviet Union and US in 1987 but collapsed after the US under former President Donald Trump formally withdrew from the treat in August 2019.

While most of these shorter-range missiles are tactical weapons, the key here is that the US and Russia will be able to leverage any future agreement on New START as a means to expand disarmament in other types of nuclear arms as well, not only on a bilateral basis but involving all the nuclear powers. The hope and aspiration of people everywhere is for the two governments to exert leadership in this effort, remaining proactive, patient and positive as they reach a mutually satisfying agreement.