CNA Talks
Episode 28: Arms Control Without a Treaty
In this episode of CNA Talks, Madison Estes joins Vince Manzo to discuss his new report, “Nuclear Arms Control Without a Treaty? Risks and Options after New START.” Vince points out that the New START treaty is set to expire in February 2021 and that many uncertainties and obstacles stand in the way of its renewal or replacement. For example, Russia would like a new treaty to cover missile defense systems, which the U.S. has called a nonstarter.
Madison highlights that while the New START Treaty is between Russia and the U.S., the treaty has implications for the entire international system. She calls China the third beneficiary of the treaty‘s transparency requirement, which makes the U.S. and Russia disclose the size of their nuclear forces.
Finally, Vince highlights some potential options for nuclear arms control without a treaty that could establish predictability, mutual restraint and transparency.