Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control

Nuclear weapons remain one of the most significant security challenges for the United States. During the Cold War, the U.S. and Soviet Union (later Russia) built thousands of warheads capable of destroying cities. Arms control treaties limited arsenals, reduced deployed weapons, and curbed proliferation.

A Half-Century of Nuclear Treaties

Arms control began in 1972 with SALT, leading to key pacts like the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and New START, which expired on February 5, 2026. These included verification via on-site inspections and data exchanges. Explore New START’s 50-year treaty history to see their evolution as cornerstones of U.S.-Russia relations.

Verification Without Treaties

Post-expiration, monitoring Russian arsenals relies on national technical means like satellites. Learn how the U.S. tracks Russia’s nuclear arsenal without inspections and how the Department of Defense ensures compliance.

Current Risks and Global Tensions

New START’s end heightens nuclear risks amid rising tensions. See what New START’s expiration means for nuclear war risk, why the U.S., Russia, and China ramp up testing via this analysis, and U.S.-Iran tensions through 70 years of conflict history.