U.S. Secretary of State Rubio said today: "The New START Treaty officially expires on February 5, 2026. This treaty was negotiated to address specific challenges at that time, and it is no longer relevant today. Our commitment to reducing global nuclear threats is genuine, but we will not agree to a deal just for the sake of a deal, accepting terms that harm American interests and turn a blind eye to violations. We will set high standards for all potential nuclear powers and always conduct negotiations based on strength."
Comment: The core reason why Rubio said this is to use the expiration of the New START Treaty to free itself from international arms control constraints, allowing the development of U.S. nuclear weapons and missile defense systems, while shifting the responsibility of failure to renew the treaty onto Russia. Using the tough stance of "high standards and negotiation based on strength," it caters to domestic hawkish factions and the military-industrial complex, and externally forces China into nuclear arms control talks to restrict China's nuclear capabilities. Essentially, it serves the U.S. unipolar hegemony and its strategic containment of China.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856381729965067/
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