Clock Is Ticking: Preventing a New Nuclear Arms Race

Action Alerts and Action Week, January 26–February 5

Did you know that a nuclear arms free-for-all begins after Groundhog Day? On February 5, 2026, the last remaining limits on U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals are set to expire, marking the first time in decades that the world will be without a treaty capping the number of deployed nuclear weapons. The U.S. and Russia collectively possess nearly 90% of the world’s estimated 12,000 nuclear warheads. This is a staggering number that underscores the immense responsibility of the two nuclear superpowers.

The expiration of New START—the last remaining arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia—presents a perilous moment in global security. The treaty, originally signed in 2010, has long served as a cornerstone of strategic stability. It limits deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550 for each country and provides a robust framework for verification and transparency. As it lapses, there are few remaining safeguards preventing an unchecked nuclear buildup.

Recent polling shows that Americans overwhelmingly favor maintaining these nuclear limits. Ninety-one percent support setting nuclear limits with Russia—more Americans, in fact, than those who favor apple pie. Yet, as of early January 2026, the White House’s approach has been unclear. In a recent wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, President Trump was asked about the looming expiration of the New START treaty. His response: “If it expires, it expires.” Earlier in the year, when pressed further, he acknowledged, “That is a big problem for the world, when you take off nuclear restrictions.” So far, however, no concrete steps have been taken to extend the treaty or negotiate a follow-on agreement.

This lack of action is especially alarming given Russia’s proposal, made in September 2025, to respect New START’s central limits for one more year. Reports suggest that the U.S. administration may not respond formally—or may simply reject the offer. The consequences of inaction are severe: without formal limits, the U.S. could initiate an expensive and destabilizing new nuclear weapons buildup. Estimates suggest this could cost American taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars beyond the already projected $1.7 trillion price tag for modernizing the existing nuclear arsenal.

Our Quaker Actions: Moral and Strategic Stakes

As Quakers, our faith teaches us to value life, seek peace, and resist violence. Nuclear weapons are not merely a political issue—they are a moral one. Their very existence poses a threat to humanity itself. One miscalculation, a single misunderstanding, or an act of aggression could result in catastrophic consequences for millions. The expiration of New START places us closer to that edge.

A potential for a new arms race is not theoretical. History of nuclear proliferation demonstrates that when strategic constraints are lifted, competition escalates. Each country seeks to outmatch the other, stockpiling warheads, investing in advanced delivery systems, and expanding missile defenses. Such a cycle is costly, dangerous, and destabilizing. Without clear leadership and diplomatic engagement, we risk sliding into this perilous cycle.

We are not powerless. Faith communities, peace organizations, and concerned citizens can influence policy through concerted action. Over the past months, groups including the Arms Control Association (ACA), Council for a Livable World (CLW), Win Without War (WWW), Back from the Brink, and Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) have mobilized to raise awareness, coordinate outreach, and advocate for the renewal of U.S.-Russian disarmament diplomacy. By joining these efforts, we can leverage this critical moment to prevent the expansion of nuclear arsenals and uphold the global moratorium on nuclear testing.

Coordinated Actions We Can Take

The weeks surrounding February 5 are a unique opportunity to act. We encourage South Jersey Quaker Meetings and individuals to participate in coordinated actions to influence policymakers, raise public awareness, and strengthen international norms against nuclear proliferation. Here are ongoing and new action steps to consider:

1. Action Alerts and Action Week, January 26–February 5
Every organization and individual can reach out to Members of Congress (MoCs) during this window to voice opposition to a new nuclear arms race. Concentrating messages during this period can maximize impact. Current action alerts include:

• “Take Action to Prevent a New Nuclear Arms Race After New START Expires” (ACA, Jan. 12, 2026) – Urges Members of Congress to prevent a dangerous buildup, resume disarmament diplomacy, and oppose renewed nuclear testing.
• “Call Congress: Stop a New Nuclear Arms Race” (FCNL, December 2025) – Provides sample messages, talking points, and guidance for contacting representatives.
• Against Nuclear Testing:
  • “Action Alert: Stop Nuclear Testing” (United Methodist Church Board of Church and Society, December 2025)
  • “TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress You Oppose the Resumption of Nuclear Explosive Testing” (ACA, November 2025)

In addition, joint actions hosted by ReThink Media and Win Without War are ongoing from January 8–February 5. Participating organizations, including faith groups and nonprofits, can engage in a one-for-one opt-in email exchange to recruit new supporters and raise awareness. For information or to RSVP, contact sofia@winwithoutwar.org.

2. Joint Letters to Congress and the White House
Two organizational sign-on letters are circulating:

• Organizational Sign-On Letter to MoCs: “Support Efforts to Prevent a New Nuclear Arms Race and Renewed Nuclear Testing After New START.” This letter outlines the dangers of expanding U.S. nuclear capabilities and urges policymakers to pursue diplomacy and restraint. Sign-on instructions: Google Form
• Interfaith Letter: Faith leaders across the country are urging Congress to:
  • Speak in favor of nuclear limits
  • Press for follow-on negotiations with Russia
  • Choose diplomacy over an expensive and dangerous arms race

The letter is rooted in moral and ethical imperatives shared across faith traditions: protecting human life, preventing suffering, caring for future generations, and rejecting violence as a means of security. Organizations are encouraged to sign on and amplify the message. 

3. Direct Meetings and Virtual Visits with Members of Congress
For those with access to DC or legislative contacts, direct meetings—both in-person and virtual—can significantly influence policymaker decisions. ACA, FCNL, CLW, Win Without War, and Back from the Brink are coordinating targeted visits, including to Republican offices, to ensure all voices are heard. Interested organizations should contact xliang@armcontrol.org or ahester@fcnl.org to participate.

4. Special Orders Speeches in the U.S. House, January 14
Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) organized an hour-long session for Members of Congress to speak about implications of New START’s expiration. Confirmed speakers include Reps. Beyer, McGovern, Garamendi, Titus, Tokuda, Takano, and Foster. Constituents are encouraged to contact their representatives to urge participation in these speeches or to schedule follow-up engagement.

5. Appeals to Pro-Arms Control/Disarmament Governments
Faith and advocacy organizations with international contacts can exert diplomatic pressure on “like-minded” countries to encourage U.S., Russian, Chinese, UK, and French engagement in disarmament diplomacy. In October 2025, 27 non-nuclear states issued a “Joint Statement on the New START Treaty,” advocating for the extension of treaty limits. Countries involved include Austria, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu. Advocates should urge these nations to contact the White House and the Kremlin, advocating for restraint and continued moratoriums on nuclear testing.

6. New START Expiration-Related Events
Key events are scheduled to raise awareness about the risks of New START expiration:

• Jan. 21, 12 noon ET: ACA virtual press briefing featuring former New START negotiators. More details: www.armscontrol.org
• Jan. 27: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will unveil their assessment of global nuclear risks and update the “Doomsday Clock.” Livestream and details will be available at thebulletin.org

Faith-based and peace organizations planning events are encouraged to notify partners for broader impact.

7. Op-Eds and Media Outreach
Advocacy groups including Roots Action, ACA, ReThink Media, and others are coordinating media campaigns, placing op-eds to support nuclear arms control and disarmament diplomacy. Those interested in assistance with submissions can contact MacKenzie Hamilton at mackenzie@rethinkmedia.org or Frank Yuwen Chen at frank@rethinkmedia.org. Virtual press conferences will be organized in mid- to late-January, with coordination via lflatoff@armscontrol.org.

8. Press Statements Around February 5 and Beyond
Media outlets are aware of the February 5 expiration date. We must ensure a flood of coordinated statements from organizations, faith groups, and concerned citizens to maintain public attention and pressure policymakers.

Resources and Analysis

These resources provide guidance for advocacy, education, or engagement on arms control:

• Updated Talking Points from ACA and FCNL for conversations with Congress
• Background and FAQs on restarting U.S.-Russian nuclear diplomacy and nuclear testing
• Sample Letters-to-the-Editor (forthcoming)
• “New START on the Brink” – A concise history and impact of the treaty (Arms Control Today, Jan/Feb 2026)
• Rose Gottemoeller, former U.S. New START negotiator, on maximizing the treaty’s impact (Arms Control Today, Dec. 2025)
• ACA Issue Brief on rebutting arguments for a nuclear upload (October 2025)
• ACA White Paper on Trump’s threat to the nuclear testing norm (Dec. 11, 2025)

We encourage Meetings and individuals to review the materials, incorporate talking points into advocacy, and share updates with South Jersey Quakers and the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

Why This Matters

The expiration of New START is not a distant, abstract concern—it is an immediate moral existential and strategic challenge. A new nuclear arms race would:

• Increase global insecurity
• Strain U.S. taxpayer resources
• Escalate tensions with Russia and other nuclear-capable states
• Undermine decades of arms control and nonproliferation efforts
• Heighten the risk of nuclear testing, proliferation, and conflict

The moral imperative is clear: we must act to prevent this catastrophe. Faith-based advocacy aligns with our commitment to nonviolence, stewardship of the earth, and the protection of human life. By engaging in these coordinated actions, we can ensure our voices are heard and that policymakers recognize the urgency of diplomacy and restraint.

Non Proliferation, A Non Violence Call to Action

A clock ticking to February 5 scares us! We call on South Jersey Quakers, Meetings, allies to:

1. Participate in Action Week (Jan. 26–Feb. 5) with emails, calls, letters, and meetings. Members of Congress (MoCs). Work to raise awareness, support peace organizations. 
2. Sign organizational and interfaith letters to Congress and the White House.
3. Attend or organize virtual and in-person advocacy meetings.
4. Support media campaigns, op-eds, and press briefings to raise public awareness.
5. Coordinate with international partners to encourage restraint and diplomacy globally.
6. Notify South Jersey Quakers and the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of actions taken so efforts can be amplified and shared.

We cannot sleepwalk into disaster. The expiration of New START represents both a danger and an opportunity—danger, if we fail to act; opportunity, if we marshal faith, community, and moral courage to avert catastrophe. By raising our voices together, we can influence the course of U.S. policy and ensure the path toward a safer, more secure world for future generations.

The clock is ticking. The world is watching. And our actions, small or large, matter profoundly. Stand with us, engage with your representatives, and support diplomacy over arms racing. Together, we can uphold the moral, ethical, and strategic imperatives of nuclear restraint.

Resources and Action Links

• ACA Organizational Sign-On Letter: Text | Sign-On Form
• NPT 2026 NGO Accreditation: Deadline Jan. 30
• Arms Control Association: www.armscontrol.org

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Doomsday Clock

• Possible Banner Idea for Meeting “Faith Demands Action—Stop the Arms Race.”
  
• Possible headline for a letter to Community or Meeting “February 5 Is a Choice, Not an Inevitable Disaster.”