Russia’s nuclear development of the Arctic continues apace, but with the country cut off from regional cooperation initiatives and foreign funding, many worry it may struggle to respond to a nuclear emergency.

Many in Moscow believe that the system of arms control created during the Cold War was advantageous to the West—and they want that to change.

Despite all the hype, Russia’s nuclear modernization program is suffering from significant delays. The replacement of Soviet-era systems will take years because of production issues, poor management, and financial problems.

Russia doesn’t stand to gain anything from de-ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, but friends and foes alike will reap the benefits of its decision.

The Sarmat has been hailed as a game changer, but its development has been so rushed and plagued by delays that Moscow likely doesn’t know its exact capabilities.