Australia warns of new global nuclear arms race

Australia warns of a dangerous new nuclear arms race as global treaties falter and powers like China and Russia shift the balance.

Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles is sounding the alarm on a potential new cycle of global nuclear proliferation, driven by China’s rapid arms expansion and Russia’s growing ties with North Korea. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Marles criticizes the outdated Cold War-era arms control systems that fail to address modern threats like space-based weapons, cyber warfare, and AI-integrated nuclear systems.

He warns that countries seeking security in a new era of power rivalries may fuel a resurgence in nuclear development, undermining the U.S. nuclear deterrence framework. He also reassures that Australia's AUKUS submarine deal adheres to non-proliferation norms, as global defence leaders gather to confront a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

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