Trump Pulls U.S. Out of Nuclear Treaty With Russia

 

Bombs away? The Trump administration said it would leave the landmark Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces treaty tomorrow, accusing Russia of violating its terms, the Associated Press reports. The 1987 treaty bans ground-launched cruise missiles with a range between 310 miles and 3,400 miles. The U.S. says Russia has been developing such missiles in violation of the treaty; Russia denies that, the AP reports. “Some analysts worry the demise of the centerpiece of superpower arms control could fuel a new arms race. U.S. officials fear that China, which is not party to the treaty, is gaining a significant military advantage in Asia by deploying large numbers of missiles with ranges beyond the treaty’s limit.” If the U.S. goes through with the withdrawal, it will become effective in six months, giving both sides time to resolve their differences. The AP says that is unlikely. After that, the U.S. will be free to test and deploy such weapons, though senior unnamed “Trump administration officials” told the AP that the U.S. is not in a position to test or deploy such weapons and one official said that only non-nuclear missiles are being considered for future development and potential deployment. Watch TYT’s live coverage today at 6 p.m. ET. Join TYT as a member to access exclusive content!

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