End of START treaty and a nuclear Oreshnik.

 NUCLEAR LIMITAION TREATY TO EXPIRE ON FEB. 5, 2026

LAST OF THE NUCLEAR LIMITS TREATIES

In the late 1980's Russia and U.S. agreed to several nuclear proliferation treaties that reduced substantially the number of missiles and warheads of both parties, they were enforced with open inspections and other transparent measures. The U.S. withdrew from the intermediate range treaty in 2019, claiming that they would rather sign a new treaty that included China. This suspension was encouraged by John Bolton in the first Trump administration. Russia objected but continued to observe the limitations until withdrawing in 2025. That treaty covered 500 to 5500 km range missiles.

The last treaty still in effect is due to expire on Feb. 5, 2026. Russia has made it known it is willing to extend that treaty for another 1 year extension. So far, there has been silence on the subject by the Trump administration. This treaty covers long range ICBM's. Some believe that the announcement of a $1.5 trillion U.S. defense budget and no limitations on nuclear weapons will either intimidate Russia or cause them economic stress trying to keep up with U.S. increase. This is linked to the belief in the U.S. that the arms race caused the end of the Soviet Union.

Russia has upgraded its modern long range missile program and more missiles will not add to the ability to adequately destroy most of the civilized world.

Then there is the intermediate range missiles and Russia's new Oreshnik missile that has been used now 2 times. At present, it has been armed with hardened individual targeted warheads that are not nuclear or even explosive. They do substantial damage just from the kenotic energy expended at 10,000 mph speed. This missile has a range to hit every city in Europe and the UK. It can deploy up to 36 individual warheads and traveling at hypersonic speed is immune to any defense. We can expect that after Feb. 6, this missile, now being deployed with Russian and Belarusian forces, will be fitted with nuclear warheads. It will be a dramatic escalation of the nuclear arms race.