Nuclear Stability at Risk: Fears of New Arms Race and China Accusations

The US has accused China of conducting a secret nuclear test in 2020, coinciding with the expiration of the NEW START treaty. This raises fears of a new arms race.

As noted by Fareed Zakaria of the Washington Post, the world is entering an uncertain phase with unstable alliances and competition.

The US desires a new treaty involving China and Russia. Donald Trump stated that the US will pursue a "new, improved, and modernized" agreement.

A US official told Axios that the US and Russia are nearing an agreement on nuclear control.

Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russia-US talks in Abu Dhabi regarding the future of nuclear arms control.

The NEW START treaty, signed in 2010, stipulated a limit of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and a restriction of 800 launchers.

According to Zakaria, for the first time in 50 years, there are no legally binding limits on the two largest nuclear arsenals.

Thomas DiNanno, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, accused China of conducting nuclear tests in 2020.

Zakaria warns of a trilateral nuclear competition, far more complex than the Cold War.