UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called today's expiration of the New START treaty a "grave moment" for global security, urging urgent action from the US and Russia. The 2010 pact – which capped nuclear arsenals between the two superpowers – officially ended at midnight Wednesday, leaving no binding limits on the world's largest nuclear stockpiles for the first time since the Cold War. ☢️
"The risk of nuclear weapon use is the highest in decades," Guterres warned, comparing the situation to "walking a tightrope without a safety net." With over 90% of global nuclear weapons held by these nations, experts fear a new arms race could destabilize an already tense geopolitical climate.
But there's hope: Both countries recently acknowledged the need to prevent unchecked proliferation. Guterres challenged them to "translate words into action" by creating a modernized framework addressing emerging threats like AI-enhanced weapons and space-based systems. 💻🛰️
Young activists worldwide are amplifying the call. "This isn't just politics – it's about whether my generation inherits a safer planet," said 24-year-old climate and disarmament advocate Priya Mehta during a New York protest.
