In the judgment of the Atomic Scientists, the end of civilisation has never been closer than it is now. As of January, the famous “Doomsday Clock” operated by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists reads “90 seconds to midnight”, the closest to nuclear armageddon it has ever been. There are certainly those who say things are worse than ever before. It’s possible to argue that the war in Ukraine has brought tension between Russia and the West to unprecedented levels – certainly the highest they have been since the end of the Cold War. America keeps warheads in various allied nations including Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Turkey: it withdrew its nukes from the UK after the Cold War, but publicly available documents suggest that they may soon be returning.Īir Force chiefs have told Congress they want to invest in RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk for a “potential surety mission” – a term usually used in relation to nuclear weapons. Postures are shifting, as we are reminded in Britain by the possible return of US nuclear weapons to our shores. That will make the geopolitics of these missiles even more complicated and may embolden the smaller powers. In time, then, there will be three nuclear superpowers, not just two.

If Beijing continues investing at its current rate, it would have 1,500 by the middle of the next decade. It now has more than 400 warheads, more than the UK or France.

Once it expires in 2026, the pact seems unlikely to be renewed.Ĭhina refuses to negotiate at all, and is increasing its nuclear arsenal rapidly. Russia has “suspended” participation in the New START weapons treaty, which limits the number of strategic warheads both Moscow and Washington can keep ready to use. Years of stockpile reduction following the end of the Cold War have come to an abrupt end as China ploughs billions into new armaments and the detente between Russia and the US collapses. After decades of disarmament, we are at the dawn of a new age of nuclear weapons.

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