New Start expires on Thursday. That leaves no limits on US and Russian nuclear arsenals

Let’s be honest: America needs another nuclear weapon about as much as Donald Trump deserves a Nobel peace prize.

Yet on Thursday, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the U S and Russia will expire. When the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty – New Start – goes away, there will be no limits on US and Russian nuclear arsenals for the first time in more than 50 years.

Edward J Markey represents Massachusetts in the US Senate. He is a co-chair of the bicameral congressional nuclear weapons and arms control working group