In a move sparking global concern, former U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled willingness to let the New START nuclear treaty expire on February 5, 2026 – potentially ending five decades of arms control between the world's top nuclear powers. The 2011 pact currently limits both nations to 1,550 deployed warheads each.
"If It Expires, It Expires"
Trump told The New York Times this week he wants a "better agreement" that might include "a couple of other players," though he didn't specify which countries. This comes despite Russia's September 2025 proposal to maintain existing limits voluntarily.
From Cold War to 2026
If the treaty lapses, it would mark the first time since 1972 that Washington and Moscow lack nuclear constraints. Arms control experts warn this could trigger a new arms race 💸, with implications for global security and defense budgets worldwide.
Gen Z's Nuclear Reality Check
For young people who grew up with nuclear threats in history books 📚, this development brings atomic anxieties into the TikTok era. The treaty's potential collapse coincides with rising tensions in Ukraine and Taiwan Strait, making 2026 a critical year for international diplomacy.
What's next? All eyes are on whether current U.S. leadership will engage with Russia before the February deadline – and what "other players" might join future negotiations. One thing's clear: The rules of nuclear deterrence could be rewritten this year.
