After the Cold War, leading nations agreed that reducing nuclear weapons would make the world safer. However, this era has come to an end, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Nuclear arms control agreements are collapsing, nuclear powers are strengthening their arsenals, and the risk of proliferation is growing. Discussions about the use of tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield to gain military advantage are becoming more frequent.

The Path to Renewed Nuclear Fears

The journey to today’s nuclear challenges began in 1945 with the first atomic explosion at the Trinity test site in New Mexico. In 1963, U.S. President John F. Kennedy warned of a future where dozens of nations would possess nuclear weapons, calling it “the greatest possible danger.”

For decades, arms control treaties, technical limitations, and the principle of mutually assured destruction prevented worst-case scenarios.

Erosion of Agreements

Global nuclear stockpiles peaked in the mid-1980s but have since gradually declined. In 1991, the U.S. and the Soviet Union signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Today, however, key agreements between the U.S. and Russia are under threat. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty has been dissolved, and early next year, the treaty limiting deployed warheads will expire.

Washington increasingly emphasizes expanding its nuclear capabilities to counter growing threats from Russia and China. Estimates suggest that China plans to triple its nuclear stockpile by 2035, with an arsenal already containing about 600 intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the U.S. Despite this, Beijing refuses to negotiate limits on its nuclear forces with the U.S. and Russia.

Tactical Threats on the Rise

While the U.S. and Russia have reduced strategic nuclear stockpiles, the rise of tactical nuclear weapons is a growing concern. With smaller yields and shorter ranges, these weapons could be used in conventional conflicts. Russia has repeatedly hinted at their potential use in Ukraine, and in November, it revised its doctrine to expand the conditions under which these weapons could be deployed.

Efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, as outlined in the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), are also under strain. While 191 countries have signed the treaty, three nuclear-armed nations never joined, and North Korea withdrew in 2003.

Iran, a signatory to the NPT, is just months away from developing a nuclear weapon. Saudi Arabia has already stated it would follow suit if Iran succeeds.

A Growing Nuclear Threat

Dov Zakheim, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, believes President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use Western missiles on Russian territory signals a shift. As his term nears its end, Biden may be discarding concerns over Russia’s nuclear threats, which have yet to materialize.

Preparing for the Worst

In today’s world, building a nuclear bunker is becoming a necessity, not a luxury. Anyone concerned about the safety of their family, employees, neighbors, or even pets should seriously consider constructing a bunker. For those with limited resources, converting an existing basement into a shelter could be a viable option.

To ensure survival, air filtration is critical. The “rule of threes” in survivalism states that humans can survive three weeks without food, three days without water, but only three minutes without air.

UK-based company Castellex offers top-quality NBC/CBRN air filtration systems and supplies them worldwide. Their Castellex Air550HCC Ultimate is arguably the best system available to protect your family. Investing in such a solution could mean the difference between survival and devastation in the face of rising nuclear threats.