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Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026
Outside the box.
US Warns of Rapid Expansion of Nuclear Weapons by North Korea, China, and Russia
North Korea, China, and Russia are rapidly expanding their nuclear arsenals at a breakneck pace, forcing the US to reconsider its own nuclear strategy. The Biden administration has updated its nuclear weapons guidance to counter these threats and is modernizing its capabilities. Increased cooperation among these countries poses significant risks to regional and global stability.
North Korea, China, and Russia are rapidly expanding and diversifying their nuclear arsenals at an unprecedented pace, according to Pranay Vaddi, senior director for arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation at the National Security Council.
Speaking at a forum hosted by the US-based Arms Control Association, Vaddi emphasized the United States' need to brace for a world where nuclear competition occurs without numerical constraints.
He warned that if there is no change in the trajectory of these countries' nuclear arsenals, the US might have to increase its own.
He noted that the three countries, along with Iran, are increasingly collaborating in ways that threaten US and regional stability.
In response, President Joe Biden has updated the US nuclear weapons employment guidance to deter threats from these nations.
The US is also modernizing its nuclear capabilities and strengthening its extended deterrence commitment to allies, exemplified by the Washington Declaration between the US and South Korea.
Vaddi criticized Russia and China for refusing to discuss arms control and North Korea for responding to engagement attempts with more missile tests.
Speaking at a forum hosted by the US-based Arms Control Association, Vaddi emphasized the United States' need to brace for a world where nuclear competition occurs without numerical constraints.
He warned that if there is no change in the trajectory of these countries' nuclear arsenals, the US might have to increase its own.
He noted that the three countries, along with Iran, are increasingly collaborating in ways that threaten US and regional stability.
In response, President Joe Biden has updated the US nuclear weapons employment guidance to deter threats from these nations.
The US is also modernizing its nuclear capabilities and strengthening its extended deterrence commitment to allies, exemplified by the Washington Declaration between the US and South Korea.
Vaddi criticized Russia and China for refusing to discuss arms control and North Korea for responding to engagement attempts with more missile tests.
