Russia’s nyet to White House offer bodes ill for nuclear arms treaty

Russia’s nyet to White House offer bodes ill for nuclear arms treaty
Russia’s nyet to White House offer bodes ill for nuclear arms treaty

Russia’s stance will need to be “baked into” Biden administration “thinking as we look at our own nuclear modernization, our own deterrence measures that we may want to take, and what the security environment could look like after 2026,” said White House arms control advisor Pranay Vaddi.

White House pushes P-5 agreement on missile launch notification, prods China to talk

White House pushes P-5 agreement on missile launch notification, prods China to talk
White House pushes P-5 agreement on missile launch notification, prods China to talk

Of military to military relations with China, the US is “ready to talk when you’re ready to talk,” White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said today in a speech to the Arms Control Association.

US Momentum Grows For Push To Start Strategic Talks With China

US Momentum Grows For Push To Start Strategic Talks With China
US Momentum Grows For Push To Start Strategic Talks With China

“It is going to take us 10 to 15 years to modernize 400 silos that already exist. And China is basically building almost that many overnight. So the speed of difference in that threat is what really concerns me most,” Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs says.

NC3 Vulnerabilities Risk Nuclear War In Asia, APLN Study Finds

NC3 Vulnerabilities Risk Nuclear War In Asia, APLN Study Finds
NC3 Vulnerabilities Risk Nuclear War In Asia, APLN Study Finds

“There is a reason, however, that David slung his stone into the forehead of Goliath rather than his musculature. Without a head connected to a body, a nuclear force is useless,” the new study by the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network states.

A Nuclear Cruise Missile Could Be Vital For Arms Control And Nonproliferation Efforts

A Nuclear Cruise Missile Could Be Vital For Arms Control And Nonproliferation Efforts
A Nuclear Cruise Missile Could Be Vital For Arms Control And Nonproliferation Efforts

It may seem counterintuitive that America investing in a new nuclear weapon design could help lower the chances of a nuclear conflict. But in this new op-ed, Naval War College professor David A. Cooper argues just that, noting that the concept for a new sea-launched cruise missile could end up benefitting nonproliferation and arms control…

Air Force ICBM Chief Wants US-China Military Dialogue

Air Force ICBM Chief Wants US-China Military Dialogue
Air Force ICBM Chief Wants US-China Military Dialogue

“I think the challenge [to establishing nuclear dialogue] is going to be on the Chinese side,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Lutton.

‘I Don’t Believe China’ Is Serious About Nuke No First Use: DASD Nukes Soofer

‘I Don’t Believe China’ Is Serious About Nuke No First Use: DASD Nukes Soofer
‘I Don’t Believe China’ Is Serious About Nuke No First Use: DASD Nukes Soofer

A top Pentagon official today expressed skepticism over China’s nuclear intentions, but he maintained the US wants Beijing at the table for New START talks with Russia

New START’s Demise Could Cost DoD $439B, Or Nothing: CBO

New START’s Demise Could Cost DoD $439B, Or Nothing: CBO
New START’s Demise Could Cost DoD $439B, Or Nothing: CBO

The study finds that 1 B-21, with 10 Long-Range Stand-Off (LRSO) cruise missiles and eight nuclear warheads, would cost $500 million, and $40 million a year (in 2020 dollars) to maintain.

Trump To Nominate New NBC Leader As White House Eyes Nuke Tests

Trump To Nominate New NBC Leader As White House Eyes Nuke Tests
Trump To Nominate New NBC Leader As White House Eyes Nuke Tests

Today’s announcement of the administration’s “intent” to nominate Polakowski, a retired Army two-star general who worked on WMD issues throughout his career, comes the day after a senior Pentagon official acknowledged that the US could resume nuclear testing “relatively rapidly,” should the decision be made.

US To Withdraw From Open Skies, Leaving 34-Nation Arms Control Pact

US To Withdraw From Open Skies, Leaving 34-Nation Arms Control Pact
US To Withdraw From Open Skies, Leaving 34-Nation Arms Control Pact

The move sets up a fight with Capitol Hill, which wasn’t given the legally-mandated 120-day notice of the US intent to withdraw from the pact.

First 2020 Minuteman III Test Launches As New START Countdown Begins

First 2020 Minuteman III Test Launches As New START Countdown Begins
First 2020 Minuteman III Test Launches As New START Countdown Begins

No political message was intended by the launch. Testing “is not used as a ‘signaling mechanism’ politically,” Col. Omar Colbert, Air Force Global Strike Command’s 576th Flight Test Squadron commander, stressed on Monday.

End Of New START Could Risk US Sats: Aerospace Corp.

End Of New START Could Risk US Sats: Aerospace Corp.
End Of New START Could Risk US Sats: Aerospace Corp.

ARLINGTON, VA: The likely demise of the US-Russia New START treaty could lead to a dangerous uptick in jamming, lazing and possibly even kinetic attacks of US satellites designed to monitor Russia nuclear weapons and forces, says a new study by the respected Aerospace Corp. Noting that prospects for extension of the New START treaty…

Congress Stalls INF-Busting Missiles & Nuke Treaty Withdrawal

Congress Stalls INF-Busting Missiles & Nuke Treaty Withdrawal
Congress Stalls INF-Busting Missiles & Nuke Treaty Withdrawal

John Beyrle, ambassador to Russia during the George W. Bush Administration, says letting New START expire would be “a pretty solid punch to the solar plexus of strategic stability.”

Allies Must Press US To Keep New Start: US Experts

Allies Must Press US To Keep New Start: US Experts
Allies Must Press US To Keep New Start: US Experts

“New START matters to our security, to the security of the alliance, to the cohesion of the (NATO) alliance,” said Tom Countryman, former assistant secretary of State for international security and nonproliferation,