New START

New START is a nuclear arms control agreement between the US and Russia, originally signed in 2010 by Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev. The treaty restricts the deployment of nuclear weapons by both countries. As the last treaty limiting nuclear weapon deployments expires on Thursday, Russia has offered a one-year extension, while the US has not responded with a substantial reaction. This development is newsworthy as it marks the end of over 50 years of restraints on the world's two biggest nuclear powers. The expiration also coincides with growing concerns about nuclear weapons, climate change, and disinformation, as reflected in the recent move of the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight.