U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led a hearing in Washington to examine strategic competition in a world no longer governed by the New START Treaty. The session featured testimony from Admiral (ret.) Charles A. Richard, former Commander of United States Strategic Command; Rose E. Gottemoeller, Hoover Institution Research Fellow at Stanford University; and Timothy A. Morrison, former Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
In his opening statement, Senator Wicker addressed the evolving security landscape since the New START Treaty was signed 15 years ago. He noted significant changes in global threats, particularly highlighting China’s nuclear expansion and Russia’s approach to arms control agreements.
“The committee meets this morning to explore how the United States can prepare for and effectively compete in a multi-polar world unconstrained by any limitations on nuclear forces,” Wicker said.
He described the treaty as a product of an earlier era: “The New START Treaty was negotiated in a bygone era, 15 years ago. In 2010, the idea of abolishing nuclear weapons seemed an attainable goal to some. For a while, the treaty did provide a degree of transparency and predictability between the United States and Russia on the two countries’ nuclear forces—that is, until Vladimir Putin decided that compliance with Russia’s obligations were no longer in his interest. That should be instructive, I would add, regarding any promises that he might be trying to make during this year.”
Wicker outlined current challenges: “Now, 15 years after the treaty was signed, we face an assortment of threats far more complicated and dangerous than anyone foresaw in 2010.”
He emphasized concerns about Russia’s capabilities: “Today, the Putin dictatorship commands the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, and he is developing new weapons designed to exploit our most vulnerable points. Despite conventional losses in Ukraine, which are substantial, Russia’s nuclear weapons production capacity is far greater than our own. His capacity to produce nuclear weapons is far greater than that of the United States. It will likely remain so for the foreseeable future.”
Turning attention to China’s military developments: “China is poised to become an even greater threat. Over the past several years, Xi Jinping has nearly quadrupled the size of his nuclear arsenal. Meanwhile, he has expanded China’s shipbuilding capacity to more than 230 times that of the U.S., and he has built thousands of long-range missiles, including fractional orbital bombardment weapons.”
He continued: “The full list of China’s military advances is too extensive to cover here. But China’s goal is clear: Xi is committed to displacing the U.S. and is rapidly building the capability to do so.”
Wicker also referenced other emerging security issues such as North Korea’s missile program, space weaponization, narcotics trafficking risks, unmanned systems proliferation, and artificial intelligence advancements.
“This complexity has profound implications for future U.S. defense policies and strategies—hence our distinguished panel today,” he said.
Wicker stressed several key points for U.S defense policy:
“First, in this complicated environment, deterrence depends on tangible military capability… At its core, this will always be based on our nuclear forces… But improved defenses such as the Golden Dome initiative play a vital supporting role.”
“Second,” he added,”strategic competition can no longer be divided into discrete domains… Our adversaries view all types of military capabilities as tools to shape geopolitical outcomes… Our nuclear posture… must be fully integrated and responsive…”
“Third,” Wicker said,”we cannot field the capabilities we need without a strong industrial base… Decades of so-called streamlining have left our domestic manufacturers with almost no capacity to surge munitions production…”
“Finally,” he concluded,”this moment tests American resolve and our commitment to alliances that have helped preserve our security for decades… We must compete with adversaries I mentioned—and we must do so responsibly.”
He summarized his perspective on responsible competition: “Competing responsibly does not mean recklessly seeking conflict– nor does it mean retreating into isolationism. Instead,we recognize that peace is preserved through strength,… preparedness,and willingness …to act when appropriate … We saw this on full display during Operation Midnight Hammer.”
Senator Wicker thanked witnesses for their input on adapting U.S defense strategy:”I thank our witnesses for their views on how U.S.defense policy …must adapt.I look forward …to their ideas on what Congress can do …to ensure that American deterrence remains unquestioned…”