NEWSWATCH: “U.S., Russia Say They Have Met Nuclear-Reduction Targets Under Treaty; Nations meet Monday deadline, but face task of renewing pact in three years amid dispute over another weapons agreement” – Wall Street Journal/Felicia Schwartz, Michael R. Gordon, James Marson

February 6, 2018 JRL Russia List JRL NewsBlog, Military, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations

“The U.S. and Russia said they have fulfilled obligations under a 2010 treaty to reduce … strategic nuclear warheads … by a Monday deadline. … [they] still face the task of renewing the pact when it expires in three years amid a dispute over another weapons agreement. … the U.S. alleges Moscow is violating a separate 1987 accord banning American and Russian intermediate-range missiles based on land … [given] the deployment of a Russian ground-launched cruise missile. If the dispute over this violation isn’t resolved, it may color the American debate on whether to extend New START when it expires in 2021. * * * Trump ordered a review of nuclear programs and strategy shortly after taking office. A new plan publicly outlined last week calls for a upgrading the U.S. arsenal and includes development of two new sea-based nuclear weapons to respond to Russia and China’s growing military capabilities.”