February 22, 2026, 3:02 pm
Sponsored by Ground News: Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/perun
The nuclear treaty regime between the U.S. and Russia has long been under pressure. After the collapse of the INF treaty, New START was one of the last checks left standing on U.S. and Russian arsenals.
Even that was significantly weakened after Russia suspended information sharing and inspections, but at least on paper, it still provided a cap on deployed strategic warheads and delivery systems.
Now it’s gone.
So today, lets look at the rise and fall nuclear arms limitations treaties, and what may happen now one of the last major limits has fallen away.
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/PerunAU
Reading and Sourcing (partial):
TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ON MEASURES FOR THE FURTHER REDUCTION AND
LIMITATION OF STRATEGIC OFFENSIVE ARMS (new START) text
https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/140035.pdf
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists – Russian Nuclear Weapons estimates 2025
Federation of American Scientists (FAS) – The History of the U.S. Nuclear Stockpile 1945-2013
FAS – Status of world nuclear forces
USAAF ready to increase warhead deployments on Minuteman III and re-nuclearize B-52s if instructed
https://www.twz.com/air/usaf-ready-to-make-all-b-52s-nuclear-capable-load-icbms-with-multiple-warheads-if-directed
France expanding nuclear related infrastructure
https://www.twz.com/air/france-to-expand-its-nuclear-deterrent-with-new-air-base
Russia to observe New START limits if US does
https://apnews.com/article/russia-us-putin-trump-nuclear-arms-treaty-dddab5e6b4d98ff428747487f401db15
RAND- the U.S.-China Military Scorecard (2015)
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR392.html
Michael Kofman – Running to Stand Still: Russian Nuclear Modernization after New START
Running to Stand Still: Russian Nuclear Modernization after New START
Russia is now ready for a new world with no nuclear limits – Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/russia-is-ready-new-world-with-no-nuclear-limits-ryabkov-says-2026-02-03/
Reporting on new START expiration
https://theconversation.com/last-nuclear-weapons-limits-expired-pushing-world-toward-new-arms-race-275749
https://www.rferl.org/a/us-russia-nuclear-start-treaty/33680877.html
U.S. DOD – Missile Defence Review (2019)
https://www.war.gov/Portals/1/Interactive/2018/11-2019-Missile-Defense-Review/The%202019%20MDR_Executive%20Summary.pdf
Reporting on US accusations of Chinese nuclear testing:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-07/us-accuses-china-of-secret-nuclear-testing/106316826
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/trump-has-been-clear-wanting-new-nuclear-arms-control-treaty-says-us-official-2026-02-06/
Missile Profile, 9M729 – CSIS
https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/ssc-8-novator-9m729/
Claims 9M729 used against Ukraine
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/russia-uses-missile-ukraine-that-led-trump-quit-nuclear-treaty-kyiv-says-2025-10-31/
https://www.twz.com/land/russias-treaty-busting-screwdriver-cruise-missile-used-against-ukraine-officials
China suspends nuclear talks with USA (2024)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/17/china-suspends-arms-talks-over-us-weapons-sales-to-taiwan
Caveats & Comments:
All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions.
Any content relating to the conduct, views, activities or any aspect of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or any matters in relation to that person or character.
Care has been taken in compiling data, quotes, and other inputs from various sources but errors can occur. Quotes and included data should be considered illustrative, not definitive and their veracity should not be relied on.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Opening Words
00:01:59 — What Am I Talking About?
00:04:10 — Nuclear Restrictions
00:15:25 — the End and Failure to Re-start
00:23:24 — What Now: Proliferation Pressures
00:27:28 — Weapon Type Growth
00:32:24 — a No Deal Scenario
00:40:47 — a New Deal?
00:43:40 — the Washington Model
00:56:55 — What Now?
00:58:12 — Channel Update
Content Creator – Perun
