Watch: The US and Russia's nuclear treaty is dead. What comes next?

The New START Treaty, a nuclear arms control agreement between the US and Russia, expired on February 5, 2026. Initially signed in 2010, the treaty limited the number of strategic nuclear warheads that both countries could possess. The expiration left no limit on the number of nuclear weapons the US and Russia can stockpile. This development marks a significant shift in the two nations' nuclear policies. The treaty's demise has raised concerns about the potential for increased nuclear proliferation and instability. As a result, it is unclear what steps will be taken by the US and Russia to address this new reality.