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The question is: why is the US backing out of this treaty now when they knew Russia had been violating it for years. I believe the US is preparing for a new ar

The question is: why is the US backing out of this treaty now when they knew Russia had been violating it for years. I believe the US is preparing for a new arms race with China and is just lining up the paperwork. The massive arms race in the 70s & 80s is what arguable took down the Soviet Union by applying too much pressure to a shaky economic system. With major cracks showing in the Chinese economy, is the US beginning to employ this tactic again? Edit: I added this comment before reading the article based on news stories I heard yesterday. The article is basically positing the same theory.

mikeash 8y ago
I sure hope we’re not trying to spend China into bankruptcy the way we supposedly did with the USSR. China’s economy may not be as amazing as the official figures show, but it’s in vastly better shape than the 1970s USSR. Considering how US defense contracting loves to overspend to an absurd degree, I think we’d lose that fight badly.
- joejerryronnie 8y ago
  I think it is a multi-pronged approach to Chinese economic, political, and military containment - trade war, attack on Chinese tech, arms race, etc. It will apply various pressure points to China's economy, political structure, and world standing. This added pressure will force Xi's regime to take more extreme measures to retain control, thus adding more systemic pressure. US allies are also beginning to adopt these policies. I believe the US will start countering Belt and Road initiatives with alternative economic packages to African and Asian nations. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if the US backed off of Russian aggression in exchange for anti-China support. I bet there's a white paper somewhere in Washington which lays out a similar strategy.
- alien_ 8y ago
  Yes but the military industrial complex that likely lobbied for this would have huge profits if a new arms race starts.

mikeash 8y ago

I sure hope we’re not trying to spend China into bankruptcy the way we supposedly did with the USSR. China’s economy may not be as amazing as the official figures show, but it’s in vastly better shape than the 1970s USSR. Considering how US defense contracting loves to overspend to an absurd degree, I think we’d lose that fight badly.

joejerryronnie 8y ago
I think it is a multi-pronged approach to Chinese economic, political, and military containment - trade war, attack on Chinese tech, arms race, etc. It will apply various pressure points to China's economy, political structure, and world standing. This added pressure will force Xi's regime to take more extreme measures to retain control, thus adding more systemic pressure. US allies are also beginning to adopt these policies. I believe the US will start countering Belt and Road initiatives with alternative economic packages to African and Asian nations. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if the US backed off of Russian aggression in exchange for anti-China support. I bet there's a white paper somewhere in Washington which lays out a similar strategy.
alien_ 8y ago
Yes but the military industrial complex that likely lobbied for this would have huge profits if a new arms race starts.