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Quaker Lobby Urges Diplomatic Action Following Expiration of New START Treaty
Today, the world crosses a dangerous threshold. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) has been allowed to lapse. This was the last remaining bilateral agreement between Russia and the United States which placed legal limits on the largest nuclear arsenals on Earth. The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) expresses deep sorrow and grave concern at this failure of leadership — a moment that history will judge harshly.
Faith Communities Urge Congress to Prevent a New Nuclear Arms Race
Faith communities from across the United States wrote a letter calling on Congress to pressure the Trump administration to pursue a diplomatic, negotiated follow-on agreement to the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) before it expires on February 5, 2026.
Nukes Make Us Less Safe: Preventing a Nuclear Arms Race
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) imposes common sense limits on both the United States and Russia’s nuclear weapons. The treaty was extended on February 3, 2021, but is set to expire on February 5, 2026. If nothing replaces New START, both the United States and Russia could rapidly expand their nuclear weapons arsenals for the first time in 35 years.
Biden Signals Support for Nuclear Diplomacy While Congress Turns Up the Heat on New START Treaty
With the danger of a nuclear arms race and nuclear war rising, President Biden, backed by Congress, must reestablish nuclear disarmament diplomacy and reinforce de-escalation efforts.
Russia Has Suspended Participation in the New START Treaty. What Now?
This development makes it far more likely that after New START expires in February 2026, there will be no agreement limiting U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear arsenals for the first time since 1972.
Why New START is a First-100 Days Priority
The New START treaty - the last remaining nuclear arms limitation agreement between Russia and the United States - is set to expire on Feb. 5, 2021. That is sixteen days after the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Extending New START Protects the United States and Saves Billions
Unless the U.S. and Russian governments agree to extend the New START treaty by Feb. 5, 2021, the last remaining limits on their nuclear weapons will expire. Dave Lawler of Axios reports “both sides have warned that without a deal, they’re prepared for an arms race.”
In the Shadow of the Coronavirus, Fate of New START Remains Unclear
As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts our lives and occupies the bulk of our attention, the status of a key pact—the New START nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia—hangs in the air.
