The United States contemplates expanding its nuclear weapons stockpile.
Instead of relying on arms control, the US is considering increasing its nuclear arsenal due to the expansion of nuclear weapons by countries like Russia, China, and North Korea. A top advisor to the White House, Pranay Vaddi, stated that without a change in behavior from these nations, the US may need to adjust their stance on nuclear capabilities.
According to Vaddi, Russia, China, and North Korea are rapidly expanding and diversifying their nuclear arsenals, showing no interest in arms control. Their actions are counter to peace and stability, worsening regional tensions and threatening the US and its allies. Vaddi emphasized that a new approach, which doesn't necessarily mean a bigger approach, is needed to deal with these situations.
However, if the enemy's nuclear arsenals continue to grow, the US may need to increase its own capabilities. Vaddi stressed that this doesn't mean a "simplified equation" where "more for them also means more for us." Russia and China's refusal to discuss arms control violates their international obligations and forces the US and its allies to prepare for a world without numerical constraints.
In 2023, President Biden's security advisor Jake Sullivan proposed nuclear arms control talks with Russia and China without preconditions. The US was willing to start these negotiations before all bilateral differences had been resolved to avoid any new conflicts. In February 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the "New Start" agreement between the US and Russia, a treaty that limited both countries' nuclear arsenals and regulated inspections, void. This treaty received strong criticism in the West. Putin later stated that Russia is not considering a nuclear strike amid the conflict with the West over Ukraine.
Sources:
1 Pranay Vaddi, National Security Council
2 Jake Sullivan, White House
3 BBC News
4 CNN
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The USA is concerned about North Korea's and Russia's China's nuclear weapons expansion, which has led to discussions about increasing the US's own nuclear stockpile. Despite Jake Sullivan's proposals for nuclear arms control talks with Russia and China, these countries have shown no interest in arms control, escalating regional tensions and violating international obligations.
