OMAHA, Neb. – Elbridge Colby, undersecretary of defense for policy, said here Wednesday the United States must pursue arms control while maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent, arguing future agreements must account for China’s rise and evolving proliferation pressures.
Speaking at the U.S. Strategic Command’s (STRATCOM) annual Deterrence Symposium, Colby said the administration’s priority is preventing further nuclear proliferation by ensuring U.S. deterrence remains credible and rational for presidential decision-making.
“I think the most important thing that we can do on the Department of War side to make sure that there are not such pressures from nuclear proliferation is to make sure that we have credible, rational nuclear options,” Colby said.
Colby was responding to questions about growing proliferation concerns, including questions surrounding North Korea, Saudi Arabia’s nuclear cooperation agreement, and renewed discussions among U.S. allies about whether they should pursue independent nuclear capabilities.
Colby argued arms control should not be viewed solely through the lens of formal treaties, saying future arrangements could involve broader mechanisms that establish “implicit barriers or thresholds” between competitors. “It’s not necessarily all or nothing,” Colby said. “If you’re having productive discussions…that can be productive.”
Colby said the purpose of arms control is not eliminating nuclear weapons, which he called unrealistic, but reducing incentives for conflict. “The goal of arms control is to mitigate pressures towards conflict,” he said.
When asked about a potential successor to the now-expired New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), Colby declined to outline specific administration positions but said the Defense Department’s role is maintaining the capabilities needed to support diplomatic efforts.
Colby also said arms control engagement with China is possible if approached through its original concept rather than focusing exclusively on legally binding agreements.
“I think it’s realistic,” Colby said, arguing that discussions themselves can help constrain destabilizing behavior. “The fact of engaging…can be productive.”