Eight decades have passed since the energy contained within an atom was used in warfare. Yet rather than suffering nuclear Armageddon, the world has achieved a surprising nuclear stability – so far. Equally remarkable, while nuclear technology has spread to many countries, only a small fraction have chosen to use it to develop weapons. The world has benefited from an effective nonproliferation regime, a set of rules, norms, and institutions that have discouraged – albeit haltingly and imperfectly – nuclear proliferation. But can it survive an era of rapid geopolitical shifts?

Francesca Giovannini is executive director of the Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science & Internati

When a major country moves unilaterally to increase its own security, it triggers a greater sense of insecurity in others. The recent move by the United States to adjust its nuclear response strategy is having exactly that effect, along with a return of Cold War thinking.

The raging Russia-Ukraine conflict is a stark reminder of the urgency of effective management of weapons of mass destruction. The international community must come together to restart the long-stalled international negotiations over arms control and nuclear disarmament by fully utilizing the existing mechanisms and platforms and generating greater consensus and impetus among all stakeholders. A staunch supporter of the international arms control and nuclear disarmament regime, China adheres to its longstanding nuclear policy of maximum restraint and remains committed to the pursuit of a new path leading to a world of enduring peace and stability.

If the United States is serious, it can begin by trying to establish basic trust through the removal of some sanctions. It can also push off to the future its demand to consider other issues beyond the JCPOA, which only complicate matters at this stage.

AUKUS partnership’s nuclear submarine deal destabilizes the Indo-Pacific region and serves no one’s interest — least of all France, which was stabbed in the back. Will the vessels ever be delivered as promised? Washington couldn’t care less. It’s all about money and American jobs.

Although bilateral cooperation between China and the U.S. is sub-optimal at this moment, Beijing and Washington must not overlook other global challenges such as nuclear non-proliferation and arms control.

Formal withdrawal will enhance the image of the U.S. as a rule-breaker amongst the international community.

The Trump administration’s recently released national security, national defense, and nuclear strategies make clear that China and Russia have become the pacing threat for U.S. national security managers. However, the NPR likely errs in stating that Chinese officials are “increasing nuclear threats.” Unlike Moscow and Washington, Beijing has a declared no-first-use doctrine.