Council: Front and Center: December 20, 2025

IN LESS THAN 50 DAYS, THERE WILL BE NO MORE CONSTRAINTS ON RUSSIAN AND U.S. NUCLEAR ARSENALS

In less than 50 days, the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between the United States and Russia expires. This treaty effectively limited the number of deployed warheads and launchers each country could have and allowed for unprecedented transparency and verification measures.

Agreements like New START are a reason why we have gone from a global nuclear arsenal of about 70,000 at the height of the Cold War to about 12,000 today.

February 5 will mark the first time in more than 50 years that there will be no restrictions on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals, and both countries will be free to build as many new nuclear weapons as they wish, with no accountability and no safeguards.

We know what that can lead to, and we must do everything in our power to avoid a new arms race. It’s not too late for the United States and Russia to step back from the brink.

You can help us — with just a few clicks, you can send this pre-drafted email to your Members of Congress urging them to support legislation from Rep. Bill Foster and Sen. Ed Markey that calls on the United States and Russia to continue honoring New START’s limits and to engage in nuclear risk reduction talks with Russia and China.

You can also help us by talking about this critical issue with your friends and loved ones and by making a donation to support our work at this perilous time.

NEED A LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEA? GIVE SUPPORT FOR ARMS CONTROL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Did you know that you can donate to the Council in honor or memory of someone? Why not give someone the gift of supporting a better world? Likewise, why not ask your loved ones to make a gift to the Council in honor of your passion for nuclear risk reduction? Simply click here to make your donation, select the correct amount, and check the box in the bottom left corner indicating you’d like to give in someone’s honor or memory. You can even send them an email or letter alongside their gift, directly from our giving program. What is a better gift than a world free from nuclear weapons?

CHINA OUTLINES POSITIONS ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS, SPACE AND MORE

China closed out November by releasing its first official white paper on arms control since 2005, outlining positions on nuclear weapons, space, cyber and emerging technologies. The document emphasized typical Chinese talking points and attempts to differentiate China from other nuclear powers by portraying the PRC as a champion of nuclear power for developing countries, while avoiding specifics about China’s expanding arsenal or force structure. Chinese officials also again rejected claims that Beijing is conducting covert nuclear weapons tests, instead calling on the United States to uphold its own testing moratorium.

KOREAN PENINSULA IN ‘VERY DANGEROUS’ STANDOFF AS UNITED STATES REAFFIRMS DETERRENCE COMMITMENT

December opened with stark warnings from Seoul. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said the peninsula is in a “very dangerous” standoff, citing hardened border positions, frozen communication channels and the risk of miscalculation with North Korea. Around the same time, reporting pointed to continued upgrades at North Korea’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, including facilities linked to long-range missile engine testing. Analysts noted that these developments underpin Pyongyang’s ability to expand and sustain its arsenal over time.

By mid-December, Pyongyang again launched multiple rockets off its west coast as Kim Jong Un convened a key Workers’ Party meeting, pairing internal political planning with an external show of force. Seoul also spent the month managing perceptions about its own nuclear intentions. President Lee publicly denied that South Korea is pursuing nuclear weapons amid misplaced scrutiny over nuclear-powered submarine discussions and questions surrounding reactor fuel arrangements.

Notably, the United States also publicly reaffirmed its commitment to extended deterrence of South Korea after many months of no such public statement.

INDIA TO LEASE RUSSIAN SUBMARINE; PAKISTAN CHANGES NUCLEAR COMMAND STRUCTURE

In early December, reporting indicated that New Delhi was moving ahead with plans to lease a Russian nuclear-powered submarine once again, a step intended to expand operational experience and sustain continuous at-sea deterrence as India develops its own fleet. The submarine is expected to carry Indian nuclear-capable missiles and would complement India’s growing ballistic missile submarine force.

Pakistan, meanwhile, saw significant changes at the top of its nuclear command structure. Multiple outlets reported that Army Chief Asim Munir has consolidated authority in a way that effectively places Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal more directly under his control. The move raises questions about oversight and crisis decision-making in a country where military influence already dominates national security policy.

NDAA IS SIGNED INTO LAW; BOOSTS GOLDEN DOME AND WEAPONS SYSTEMS

President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law Thursday. The fiscal year 2026 version, which passed both the House and Senate with strong bipartisan support, authorizes more than $900 billion in discretionary spending for the Pentagon. In the House, the NDAA passed 312-112 while the Senate approved the measure 77-20. The Center‘s summary and analysis breaks down its nuclear provisions.

This topline number is $8 billion above what the White House requested. However, it is important to remember that Congress also provided close to $120 billion for the Pentagon via reconciliation earlier this year. Appropriators have not yet allocated fiscal year 2026 funds, but we could see Pentagon spending crack ONE TRILLION DOLLARS.

President Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” ballistic missile program received a full endorsement in the bill although details about the architecture and plans remain sparse. Other nuclear weapons programs, such as Sentinel and the nuclear-armed sea launched cruise missile also received generous funding.

BILL REPEALS 1991 AND 2002 MILITARY FORCE AUTHORIZATIONS EVEN AS LATIN AMERICA ATTACKS CONTINUE

The annual defense authorization bill just signed into law includes language to finally repeal the almost ancient 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force against Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively — authorizations that Presidents of both parties have overused.

Meanwhile, U.S. forces have killed more than 100 people in attacks on boats that the administration accused of drug trafficking as it builds up forces near Latin America and seems to be pushing for regime change in Venezuela. The defense authorization bill restricts a portion of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget until the Pentagon releases footage of the boat strikes, but Congress stopped short of further restricting the administration; the House and Senate rejected bipartisan measures to require congressional approval of the Venezuelan strikes and block continued hostilities against Venezuela absent congressional authorization.

MORE GREAT CANDIDATES COMING IN 2026

The Council’s Board of Directors endorsed three candidates at its December meeting, bringing our grand total for the year to 13 — with more to come. As we finalize their paperwork and prepare to share them with you in the coming weeks, make sure you bookmark this link to donate to one or more of all our endorsed candidates to keep it handy throughout the next 11 months. We update it every time we make a new endorsement.

UNCERTAINTY REMAINS OVER NEW ELECTORAL MAPS IN MULTIPLE STATES

Recently, in a stunning surprise for President Trump, the Indiana state legislature ignored his threats to launch primaries against Republican opponents, a majority of whom rejected redistricting plans aimed at providing Republicans a two-seat net pickup.

The redistricting campaign focused on the closely divided House began last year when Texas, prodded by the President, approved new district lines that may increase by five Republican seats in the state. Republican-controlled legislatures in Missouri and North Carolina followed a similar path.

In response, California voters approved a plan that might net Democrats five seats as well. Some additional states are still considering their own redistricting, including Republicans in Florida and Ohio and Democrats in Illinois and Virginia. At this point, redistricting efforts across the country appear to be a draw.

In the end, the elections in November 2026 are most likely to turn on voters’ views about GOP control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. And signs a year before elections appear to suggest Democratic gains ahead: Polls show Trump is losing support while Democratic candidates recently won the Virginia and New Jersey governorships, the mayoralty of Miami and several local elections in Georgia.

CONSIDER BECOMING A MONTHLY DONOR

As election season nears, the Council is also hard at work on its advocacy on Capitol Hill. Have you considered making a monthly donation to support our efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear threats through political action? You can donate as little as $1 a month. Become a monthly supporter today!