Risk of nuclear war grows amid new arms race


· 2 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Deutsche Welle or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) warns that a new nuclear arms race is emerging amid a breakdown in arms control frameworks
• Its Yearbook 2025 reveals intensified modernization of nuclear arsenals by nearly all nine nuclear-armed states, alongside rising integration of AI and space technologies into nuclear strategies
• For the first time since the Cold War, the long-standing global reduction in nuclear warheads appears to be reversing
🔭 The context: Following the Cold War, nuclear stockpiles declined significantly—from roughly 64,000 in the 1980s to around 12,241 today
• However, this disarmament momentum stalled after 2010. Geopolitical tensions, particularly after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the suspension of arms control treaties like New START have fueled rearmament
• The U.S. and Russia hold 90% of global nuclear weapons, but China’s arsenal — now at 600 warheads — is growing fastest
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The expansion and technological transformation of nuclear arsenals heighten the risk of miscalculation, destabilization, and potential conflict escalation
• The rise of AI, cyber tools, and satellite-based systems complicates oversight and control mechanisms, potentially reducing decision time and increasing systemic vulnerabilities
• This evolution challenges global efforts toward nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
⏭️ What's next: Key developments to watch include the potential formation of new nuclear sharing arrangements, especially in Europe and Asia; the role of AI governance in nuclear command systems; and renewed debates over deterrence strategies
• SIPRI calls for urgent dialogue among nuclear states and re-establishment of verifiable arms control mechanisms to prevent further deterioration of global security
💬 One quote: “The coming nuclear arms race is going to be as much about AI, cyberspace and outer space… as it is about missiles or bombs,” — Dan Smith, SIPRI Director
📈 One stat: An estimated 2,100 nuclear warheads are maintained on high operational alert, most belonging to the U.S. and Russia
Click for more news covering the latest on public governance and nuclear
Nargiz Shantayeva

Nuclear · Renewables Tech
illuminem briefings

Nuclear · Power & Utilities
illuminem briefings

Public Governance · Nuclear
China Daily

Nuclear · Power & Utilities
Forbes

Nuclear · Power & Utilities
The Wall Street Journal

Power & Utilities · Nuclear