A new round of nuclear talks will represent the most substantial Washington-Moscow contacts in months.
by Connor Echols, Responsible Statecraft
The end of the Cold War had an odd effect on U.S.-Russia non-proliferation efforts. With tensions between the two powers at a relative historical low, Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump broke with their predecessors and scrapped treaties that constrained the countries’ nuclear arsenals, which remain the world’s two largest by far.
The result? Only one U.S.-Russia nuclear agreement is still in place: the New START Treaty, which puts a modest cap on both Washington and Moscow’s ability to deploy strategic nuclear weapons.

As soon as President Joe Biden took office, he extended that agreement until 2026, but disagreements over inspections during the Covid pandemic, not to mention Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine, have left it in peril.
Luckily, that looks set to change. On Tuesday, the State Department announced that talks aimed at extending and strengthening the treaty will begin soon, marking the first such meeting in over a year. The news comes just days after the White House revealed that national security adviser Jake Sullivan has held secret meetings with top Russian officials in recent months.
Recent Posts
Sen. Bernie Sanders Opposes Unconditional Military Aid To Israel In Funding Bill
December 5, 2023
Take Action Now An additional $10.1 billion in “unconditional military aid” to Israel would be “irresponsible,” the senator…
COP28 Has More Fossil Fuel Lobbyists In Attendance Than Ever
December 5, 2023
Take Action Now There are 2,456 fossil fuel interests at this year’s U.N. climate summit, nearly four times more than any past year, according…
“The Madness Of Militarism,” The 2023 Ellsberg Lecture By Norman Solomon
December 5, 2023
Take Action Now Norman Solomon reflects on ‘the madness of militarism’ in the Ellsberg Lecture By Norman Solomon, Nation of Change In…
The U.S. Has Given Israel An Endless Supply Of Smart Bombs
December 5, 2023
Take Action Now Nearly three years ago, Congress gave Israel a pass to stockpile precision-guided bombs “without regard to annual limits.” An inside…