Red Breasted Merganser, Ron Wolf 
December 2019 - While the US is spending $1.7 Trillion on its Nuclear Modernization Program, Russia is not sitting idly by. Unrestrained by the canceled Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, and the possibly soon to lapse New START Treaty, Russia is building 6 new systems, 4 of which are strategic long-range nuclear systems. Some are guided missiles, making them more accurate. All have an improved ability to evade detection, hampering any missile defense system. One, the Poseidon, is a sub launched nuclear torpedo to destroy US coastal cities and nuclear power plants, making large areas uninhabitable for centuries or longer.
All of this is upping the risks for everyone. The harder-to-detect Russian Sarmat and Avangard Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM’s) are expected to be deployed by 2026. Extending the New START Treaty from 2021 to 2026, which requires the consent of only the two Presidents, would restrain these two systems, both in terms of numbers deployed, and by intrusive inspections, which are critical for nuclear stability. And it would give time to negotiate a more comprehensive treaty, covering the other systems and also China's growing arsenal.
TAKE ACTION:
Urge your Senators and Representative to file "Sense of the Senate" and "Sense of the House" Resolutions, calling on the President to extend the New START Treaty for 5 years. President Putin has said that Moscow is ready to extend this treaty (Reuters 8/14/2019), and President Trump has reportedly not yet decided. Congress should help him decide.
CONTACT: Your Representative & Senators in Congress
- Web: Find their names and links to their websites at senate.gov, www.house.gov; send an email or leave a message via ‘Contact’ on his/her website
- Tel: 202 224-3121 (Capitol switchboard-ask for his/her office & leave a message)
- Mail: Senator or Representative (first & last name) U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510, or U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515
Multiply this Message: Write a letter to the editor about this important & timely issue. This is a powerful way to educate and mobilize others.