For 54 years, the world has navigated a nuclear arms control regime marked by seven agreements between the United States and Russia, the dominant superpowers of the Cold War. At their peak, these nations amassed around 70,000 nuclear warheads. The fear of potential annihilation led to a significant reduction in this arsenal, with 82.5% eliminated after 1986. While broader instruments aimed at curbing military nuclear proliferation have kept the number of nuclear-armed countries to nine, the global landscape remains perilous with 12,321 nuclear weapons still in existence, 86% of which are held by Washington and Moscow. The ideal of a complete global ban on nuclear weapons appears to remain elusive.

However, the current situation is fraught with dangers, such as the aggressive stance of North Korea under its regime, as well as the ongoing tensions between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan. Additionally, the intentions of Iran's theocratic leadership raise further concerns regarding nuclear ambitions. The recent announcement on the 5th of the month has reinforced apprehensions about the escalating arms race and the vacuum left by the disintegration of these historic agreements, prompting discussions on how to navigate future global security challenges amidst these threats.