As of today, the last remaining nuclear arms agreement signed between the world’s two largest nuclear superpowers—Russia and the United States—has officially expired. Despite the repeated offer by Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend the treaty for one year as a gesture of good will, no response was given by the Trump Administration. But the non-response, WAS a response. This can only lead to a further deterioration of the already-frayed strategic situation. It will light the fuse for a new arms race between the world’s nuclear superpowers, and encourage other nations who have not yet acquired a nuclear weapon to get one or several.

There is presently no effective, sane element to counter this march to doom within the existing trans-Atlantic leadership structure, fast becoming known as “the Epstein class.” Their continued rule must result in fomenting more conflicts in the world, along with exacerbating already existing wars, in Ukraine, Gaza, and elsewhere. The past decade’s global realignment, particularly between the sovereign nations of Russia and China, has countered that trend.

The economic diplomacy of Russia and China toward Africa, Asia and the Americas is now the most strategically important factor in stabilizing the planet, and has demonstrated that the post-1989 “unipolar order” no longer exists, and cannot be revived. The world dynamic has shifted. A number of important meetings that took place this week, for example, yesterday’s meeting between Presidents Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China via teleconference, reaffirmed the importance of the Russia-China relationship for global stability and prosperity, and emphasized the successes of their nation’s ongoing partnership for cultural, scientific, and economic progress.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov made clear in Beijing the futility of the current U.S. nuclear strategy, particularly as it relates to the “Golden Dome.” Ryabkov said, “If they take the path of pumping this region with some kind of systems, if they begin to introduce elements of their ‘Golden Dome’ concept there, this will already be a situation requiring military-technical compensatory measures, and our specialists will be fully prepared for this.”Refusal to accept this reality and to negotiate can not only lead to another arms race, but perhaps a nuclear armageddon.

The implications of this were discussed today at a virtual press conference held by independent presidential candidate and LaRouche Movement organizer Diane Sare, along with nuclear arms expert Scott Ritter and moderator Garland Nixon. Tonight’s Fireside Chat will review that press conference, and other matters of current history now viewed incorrectly through the distorted lens of the “hot” Epstein files.