“Next February, the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), which limits U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapons, will expire. With the demise of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) last year following Russian violations, and Moscow’s flouting of other treaties meant to limit U.S.-Russian competition, the lapse of New START could prove to be the final nail in the coffin of the post-Cold War arms-control regime.
“That prospect has raised alarms on Capitol Hill, where Republicans and Democrats alike find themselves in the unusual position of joining Russian President Vladimir Putin in urging the Trump administration to renew the treaty, which can be extended for five years by mutual agreement. President Trump, however, is right to hesitate. Rather than acquiesce to calls for an immediate extension of New START, the president should instead use negotiations with Moscow to begin addressing new and heretofore neglected nuclear threats…”