The global rules designed to keep us safe from nuclear weapons are facing a critical year in 2026. Experts are sounding the alarm, warning that the vital guardrails preventing a nuclear crisis are eroding, leaving the world in an increasingly precarious state.
Two major events highlight this troubling trend. First, the crucial New START treaty between the US and Russia, which limits nuclear warheads and includes vital inspection systems, expires on February 5th. This treaty has been a cornerstone of stability, and its lapse means losing essential communication channels and oversight. While an immediate, massive arms race isn’t expected, the absence of these limits is a significant concern.
Then, in April, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) will hold its Review Conference in New York. This treaty, signed by 191 nations, is meant to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament. However, the last two conferences failed to agree on a final document, and many anticipate a similar outcome this year. “Things are bleak,” states Alexandra Bell from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, with Anton Khlopkov adding, “we are at the point of almost complete dismantlement of arms control architecture.”
What’s causing this decline? The old system, largely focused on the US and Russia, no longer fits our multi-polar world. China’s growing nuclear power and rapid advances in technologies like hypersonic weapons are changing the global playing field. This new, complex landscape makes deterrence more challenging and international cooperation harder than ever.
While we might not see immediate catastrophic consequences, the real danger lies in losing our diplomatic tools. As these safeguards crumble, it becomes far more difficult to forge “collective solutions in the event of a crisis.” Without these agreements, the world loses crucial mechanisms for stability and dialogue, making future tensions much more dangerous.
Source: https://24newshd.tv/22-Dec-2025/global-nuclear-arms-control-pressure-2026
