US Predicts Long-Range Nuclear Missile Competition Targeting China and Russia (Comprehensive)

"I Know How to Make Enemies Completely Disappear"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The United States has declared a nuclear arms race against China and Russia, announcing plans to pursue a new agreement to replace the 'New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty' (New START), which limits long-range nuclear missiles between the U.S. and Russia. Analysis is gaining traction that the ultimate target is not Russia, but China.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 21st (local time) that the U.S. plans for Marshall Billingslea, President Trump's special envoy for arms control, and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov to meet in Austria for the first negotiations to establish a new agreement to replace the New START, which expires in February next year.

According to WSJ, the U.S. wants to discuss a new agreement that limits nuclear warheads of Russia and China in these talks. The New START was signed during the Obama administration and limits the deployment of nuclear warheads by the U.S. and Russia to 1,550 each. It expires in February 2021. WSJ explained that the U.S.'s new proposal would include all nuclear warheads, including those in reserve and those mounted on short-range systems.

Billingslea's remarks on the day emphasize competition rather than nuclear disarmament. According to The Washington Post (WP), at an event hosted by the think tank Hudson Institute, he warned, "We know how to win this competition and can completely eliminate our enemies. We will do so if necessary, but would prefer to avoid it." WP reported that he specifically pointed to Russia and China.

The U.S. goal may be China rather than Russia. Russian media RT introduced Billingslea's statement expressing hope that Russia would bring China to the negotiating table. He mentioned, "Russia likely shares the same concerns as the U.S. about Beijing's actions."

Last year, the U.S. also caused a major international stir by announcing its withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia. Experts viewed this not only as a conflict between the U.S. and Russia but also as a measure to curb China's development of short-range missiles. Reflecting this, immediately after the INF's termination, the U.S. mentioned the possibility of deploying short-range missiles in Northeast Asia to check China, with South Korea and Japan mentioned as potential sites.

Bipin Narang, a political science professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), tweeted on the day, "Those opposing New START are not advocates of disarmament but weapons racers. Spending insane amounts of money to shake Russia and China amid an economic crisis is completely crazy."

On the same day, the U.S. also announced it would withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty, accusing Russia of violating the agreement. According to AFP, President Trump told reporters, "We will withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also confirmed the withdrawal.

The Open Skies Treaty was signed in 1992 by the U.S., Russia, and European countries and came into effect in 2002. Thirty-four countries, including the U.S., Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, are members. The treaty's core is to allow mutual unarmed aerial reconnaissance among member states to ensure international monitoring and transparency of military capabilities and activities. Over 1,500 flights have been conducted under this treaty to date.

Russia immediately protested. According to RIA Novosti, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko responded, "If the withdrawal from the treaty occurs, the very system that has maintained peace and security in Europe for over 20 years will disappear."

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will hold an emergency meeting in Belgium on the afternoon of the 22nd. The NATO council is expected to focus on discussing countermeasures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.