Senate Armed Services Committee Examines Strategic Competition After New START

On February 3, 2026, teh Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing at 9:30 a.m. ET to examine strategic competition in an unconstrained, post–New START Treaty environment. The event was featured on EpochTV Live. I can’t verify that specific event from 2026 since I don’t have real-time access to schedules or epochtv coverage. If you have a link or transcript,I can summarize it. I can also help with background adn a mock recap based on typical SASC hearings on this topic.

Context you might find helpful about a hearing framed as “strategic competition in an unconstrained, post–New START environment”:

– What “unconstrained, post–New START” implies: no current legally binding caps or verification regime between the U.S. and Russia, plus uncertainty about China’s role and capabilities. The focus is often on deterrence, modernization, risk of arms racing, and gaps in verification.

– Likely topics and questions:

– The future posture and modernization of U.S. nuclear forces (delivery systems, logistics, command and control).

– Chinese strategic modernization and its implications for U.S. deterrence.

– Russian strategic modernization plans and potential threats.

– Verification challenges in a world without New START-like constraints.

– Non-nuclear strategic capabilities (missile defense, space, cyber) and their effects on deterrence.

– Policy options for Congress on arms control, deterrence strategy, and funding.

If you want a speedy result, tell me:

– Do you want a neutral, point-by-point recap template (date/time, witnesses, main findings, questions raised, recommended actions)?

– Do you have any quotes or a transcript to base a summary on?

I can also provide a concise description suitable for a briefing or a news blurb if you share any key points or a link.

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