Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)

All about the New START Treaty

Signed on April 8, 2010 by President Obama and Russian President Medvedev, the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) aims to reduce the nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia. Supported by numerous foreign policy experts from across the political spectrum, the new treaty will cut the number of strategic nuclear weapons by 30%. It will reestablish essential verification measures to renew transparency between the world’s largest nuclear powers, who together possess almost 95% of all nuclear weapons.

Citizens for Global Solutions recognizes the importance of New START to America’s safety and security. Before New START can be ratified, it must be approved by a two-thirds vote (67 votes) in the U.S. Senate. We call on the Senate to put national security above partisan politics and vote in favor of New START.

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Primary Components of the Treaty

Takes steps toward reducing deployed strategic warheads and delivery systems by 30% percent over 7 years;
Does not include any restrictions on the development of the planned U.S. missile defense system in Europe;
Represents the crucial next step in the process of nuclear disarmament begun in 1991 with the passage of START I;
Will enter into force when the U.S. and Russia have ratified it;
The cuts are relatively modest, but the treaty provides grounds to engage in further negotiations with Russia.

History of the Treaty

The new Treaty is the 4th in a series of agreements with Russia about nuclear weapons. The first of these treaties, START I, was signed by President Ronald Reagan and the former USSR--after the fall of the USSR, the treaty agreements were carried over to the new governments of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. As a result, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine have disarmed completely. In 1991, the U.S. and Russia successfully achieved START I requirements of no more than 6,000 warheads. START I expired in December 2009 and although both countries intended to agree on a new framework prior to the expiration date, negotiations extended into March 2010.

CGS New START Resources

Click here to read the CGS New START Fact sheet
This CGS factsheet explains the essentials of the New START Treaty and how you can help.

Misconceptions About Missile Defense: The Truth About the New START Treaty

How Romney Got It Wrong: The Truth About the New START Treaty

Time for a New START?

Official Documents

START I Text and Accompanying Documents
Read the START I text, annexes, protocols, and statements associated with the treaty.

START II Text and Accompanying Documents
Read the START II text, annexes, protocols, and statements associated with the treaty.

External New START Resources

START/Nuclear Reductions Briefing Book, Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, December 2009
A comprehensive briefing book includes a range of documents on nuclear weapons issues, including the statements of key political figures.

New START Verification: Fitting the Means to the Ends, Arms Control Association, February 2010
An article describing the verification procedures in START I, as well as implications of New START verification in a Post-Cold War world.

START I Replacement: The End of Cold War Disarmament, Nicolai Sokov, Monterey Institute of International Studies, December 2006
A policy memo describing the politics and specific challenges of a new START.

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Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)