Washington, March 26 (NationPress) The United States is currently facing two nuclear rival powers—China and Russia—amidst a swiftly evolving global security environment, according to Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security Thomas DiNanno, who addressed lawmakers during a crucial congressional session.

DiNanno remarked that the shifting threat landscape signifies a momentous transition, with Washington grappling with concurrent nuclear threats from both Beijing and Moscow, compounded by increasing dangers from smaller nuclear nations.

He stressed that conventional arms control agreements are inadequate to cope with the scale and intricacy of today's geopolitical and technological challenges.

“As a nominee… I pledged to pursue verifiable and enforceable arms control treaties that bolster America's national security,” DiNanno stated, adding that his office is dedicated to modernising outdated systems.

The undersecretary claimed that existing treaties have not kept pace with contemporary realities, particularly the augmentation of nuclear capacities by US adversaries.

“New START… primarily restricted the United States while permitting Russia to expand and sustain a significant theatre-range nuclear stockpile,” he defended, justifying the administration's choice to move past the expired agreement.

DiNanno mentioned that the administration is now pursuing updated frameworks that align with President Donald Trump’s vision for new, enforceable agreements adaptable to emerging threats.

“The President… called for a new treaty,” he noted, indicating that future agreements must consider technological advancements and broader strategic competition.

Detailing the responsibilities of his office, DiNanno explained that the State Department's expanded “T family” integrates essential security functions, including arms control, nonproliferation, counterterrorism, and political-military affairs, into a cohesive structure.

“The reorganisation has streamlined the department’s international security roles,” he mentioned, adding that the new framework enhances coordination across export controls, sanctions enforcement, and treaty verification.

He pointed out that his team manages a diverse portfolio, from preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction to overseeing arms sales and coordinating international security collaborations.

“Our team is engaged in vital national security issues… from halting the spread of weapons of mass destruction to countering terrorism,” DiNanno stated.

“At the State Department, our objective is diplomacy… maintaining those alliances,” he remarked, emphasising the significance of information sharing to combat next-generation threats.

The comments arrive at a time when global arms control agreements are increasingly under pressure. The expiration of the New START treaty has lifted critical restrictions on US and Russian strategic arsenals, raising alarms about a potential resurgence in the arms race.

Concurrently, China’s growing nuclear programme—outside any binding arms reduction agreement—has further complicated efforts to forge new multilateral arrangements, indicating a shift toward a more fragmented and unpredictable global nuclear landscape.