Arms Control, the ICBM Force, and Ballistic Missile Defense
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By Mark B. Schneider
July 11, 2020
The U.S. has just started negotiations with the Russians on a new nuclear arms control treaty. Our objectives include closing loopholes in the New START Treaty, bringing in all nuclear weapons, improving verification and bringing China into the negotiation. Russia has rejected these objectives; it seeks to extend the New START Treaty without changes, according to Deputy Chairman of the Russian National Security Council (and former President) Dmitry Medvedev. Critically, a key Russian objective is to enhance limitations on U.S. missile defenses.
Our chief negotiator, Ambassador Marshall Billingslea, has said that extension of the Treaty will depend on progress with Russia on limiting all nuclear weapons and bringing China into the negotiation.
The extension of the New START Treaty would keep in place its limitations on missile defenses (Article V, paragraph 2):
https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2020/07/11/arms_control_the_icbm_force_and_ballistic_missile_defense_115458.html
