The new nuclear challengeThe US’ lack of commitment to nuclear arms treaties ushers in a shakier worldBy Richard Haass / NEW YORKThe countries and people of the world have lived with nuclear weapons for eight decades. For the most part, nuclear weapons largely remained in the background during the Cold War. Limiting the vertical proliferation of nuclear-weapons countries — the expansion of arsenals — might not be the biggest challenge in the nuclear realm. The prospect of the world’s least stable region bristling with nuclear weapons is chilling. Russia invaded Ukraine and has talked menacingly about using nuclear weapons and altering the political map of Europe.

Source: Taipei Times February 13, 2026 18:13 UTC