Dear Friend,

Today, 5 February, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia – New START – expires.

Together, these two countries still hold almost 9 out of 10 nuclear weapons on earth. With New START gone, they are free to build and deploy more, with less transparency and fewer inspections. At the same time, all other nuclear-armed states are also modernising and expanding their arsenals. This new nuclear arms race is one reason the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists said we’re closer to Doomsday than at any other point in history.

New START was never enough on its own. But it was at least a hand on the brake. Letting it die without replacement shows once again that there is no such thing as a “responsible” nuclear armed country. There are only countries that have chosen to keep gambling with all of our lives.

That is exactly what the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was created to end.

“We cannot rely on luck forever”

I recorded this short video to explain what the end of New START means, why it is so dangerous, and how the TPNW offers an alternative security path for everyone. 

Most people don’t even know New START has disappeared. A simple conversation – at home, at work, online – can change that. You don’t need to be an expert. You can say: “The last US–Russia nuclear treaty has ended. I support the Nuclear Ban Treaty because there are no right hands for the wrong weapons.”  Or, if you want more, check our website. 

The end of New START is a reminder that we cannot simply trust a few leaders and unsigned promises to keep us safe. We need rules, treaties and movements that say clearly: nuclear weapons are too dangerous to exist.  

Last week I published an opinion piece to illustrate how ICAN’s work and the Nuclear Ban Treaty are increasing the diplomatic, political and reputational costs of policies that keep nuclear weapons around. 

Next week, I’ll be bringing this message into my meetings with world leaders at the Munich Security Conference. Your continued support allows us to keep up this effort. 

Thank you for standing with us, and for everything you do to help move towards a nuclear-weapons free world. 

With gratitude,

Melissa Parke
Executive Director
ICAN