Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Catholic
Politics and Religion
As World Tensions Grow, So Do Nuclear Stockpiles

As World Tensions Grow, So Do Nuclear Stockpiles

Last updated on: September 18, 2025 at 11:31 pm by Dennis McIntyre

0 Comments

As World Tensions Grow, So Do Nuclear Stockpiles 2025-09-18T23:31:50-04:00 Dennis McIntyre

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

As global tensions rise, so do the world’s nuclear stockpiles – Image courtesy of Vecteezy.com.

The world is dangerous, and it gets scarier by the day. China, Russia, and the U.S. are increasing their nuclear stockpiles and enhancing delivery systems. The War in Ukraine and Gaza have divided the world, and Russia’s recent drone incursion into Poland, a NATO country, shows just how fragile world peace truly is. Let’s take a look.

Are We In Another Nuclear Arms Race?

There have not been any constructive discussions about reducing nuclear arms stockpiles recently – image courtesy of Vecteezy.com.

While the total global inventory is slowly declining due to dismantlement, the number of warheads in military stockpiles—those ready for use—is rising again. In addition, all three countries are enhancing their delivery systems to launch these missiles. This is a frightening perspective considering the tension level in the world today. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue with no end in sight. Here are the numbers as of March 2025:

China has the fastest-growing arsenal: China’s stockpile grew from 500 warheads in early 2024 to about 600 by early 2025. Analysts expect China’s nuclear arsenal to continue to rise. Many experts predict the numbers will surpass 1,000 warheads by 2030 and possibly reach 1,500 by 2035.
Russia holds around 5,459 warheads, nearly half of the global total. Russia is dismantling older warheads while reportedly increasing its operational stockpile, although experts remain uncertain about the exact numbers. A significant portion of its deployed warheads stay on high alert.
The United States holds approximately 5,177 warheads. We are still dismantling retired warheads, but slower than in previous decades. We maintain many warheads in active military stockpiles, with many on high alert.
There are estimated to be ~1000 additional nuclear weapons across the rest of the world that we know of.

Could We Have a “Fail-Safe” Scenario?

In the 1964 movie Fail-Safe, a technical glitch mistakenly causes U.S. bombers to destroy Moscow. Experts today warn that the risk of an accidental or unauthorized launch is higher than before. This is due to technical failure, misjudgment, or cyber issues:

“Steven Andreasen, former director of defense policy at the National Security Council, warns that: “Faster, more powerful delivery systems and new technologies, including cyber and artificial intelligence, are increasing the risk of nuclear blunders.“

In August 2025, tensions escalated when Trump criticized Russia and India as “dead economies” and issued a 10-day ultimatum for Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine. Dmitriy Medvedev, now Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, fired back on Telegram: “Maybe he should recall his favorite movies about ‘The Walking Dead,’ and also remember how dangerous the so-called ‘Dead Hand,’ which doesn’t even exist, could be.” The term “Dead Hand” refers to Russia’s Perimeter system—a semi-automated Soviet-era mechanism that ensures a retaliatory nuclear strike if enemy forces eliminate the Russian leadership. Operators must manually arm the system, but once activated, it relies on seismic, radiation, and pressure sensors to detect a nuclear attack. The system could launch a special “command missile” that transmits launch orders to surviving silos.

The combination of global tensions rising, nuclear capabilities rising, and the potential for an accidental launch rising is alarming. This sets up an ominous scenario that we pray never happens.

The Catholic View

In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan championed the term “peace through strength.” He believed a strong military deters aggression and preserves peace—not through domination but credible resolve. This approach was successful in the 1980s, and President Trump has implemented a similar strategy. While it can be a deterrent, it may also cause/contribute to a nuclear arms race. These weapons could destroy the world many times over. Why do we need more?

Jesus never endorsed military strength as a path to peace. Jesus, instead, redefined strength:

Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

While “peace through strength” relies on deterrence, Jesus taught peace through surrender, mercy, and truth. His strength was not in weapons but self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and unshakable trust in the Father. He warned against trusting violence to secure peace.

The 2022 National Defense Authorization Act

In 2022, Congress mandated an independent “failsafe” review:

“Failsafe” refers to safeguards that prevent the unauthorized, accidental, or mistaken use of a nuclear weapon. In the United States, these safeguards could involve nuclear policy or force posture, such as adopting a no-first-use policy or modifying the nuclear triad. They could also include procedures that would strengthen the decision-making process for nuclear use, such as placing guardrails around the president’s sole authority to authorize the use of nuclear weapons. Further, they could involve the design of nuclear weapons or delivery systems, for example, by ensuring that they are built to prevent a terrorist from using a stolen bomb or by installing a system that would allow for the postlaunch destruction of nuclear weapons or their associated delivery systems if launched by mistake.”

The Biden Administration committed to conducting this review as part of its Nuclear Posture Review. The results are due this fall. This is an opportunity for the U.S. to establish safeguards against a faulty or unauthorized attack. We pray that President Trump will take these safeguards and use whatever levers he has to force the remaining nuclear countries to do the same.

What Does It All Mean?

President Trump recently called for a restart of denuclearization talks with Russia and China. The current Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the U.S. and Russia expires in February 2026. Russia had previously suspended its participation in the treaty due to “inspection disputes” and rising global tensions. Vladimir Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine War on several occasions. Russia has indicated it is open to new discussions, but neither side has taken action. China and North Korea have rejected arms reduction discussions simply because the U.S. and Russia have much larger stockpiles. The bottom line is that this situation is not expected to get better anytime soon.

Our God is a God of miracles. Let’s pray He has one for this situation. Please share your thoughts on this article in the “Comments” section.

Peace

If you like this article, you might enjoy:

Two Assassinations: One Disturbing Trend
Political Tensions Surge After Charlie Kirk’s Death
We’ve Failed Them Again: Another School Shooting

General Christian

Relationships and Religion

denuclearization

Nuclear Arms

peace through strength

denuclearization

nuclear arms

peace through strength

About Dennis McIntyre

In my early years, I was a member of the Methodist church, where I was baptized as a child and eventually became a lector. I always felt very faith-filled, but something was missing. My wife is Catholic, and my children were baptized as Catholics, which helped me find what I was looking for. I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, walking with Jesus. I was welcomed into the Catholic faith and received the sacraments as a full member of the Catholic Church in 2004. I am a Spiritual Director and very active in ministry, serving as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister and providing spiritual direction. I have spent time working with the sick and terminally ill in local hospitals and hospice care centers, and I have found these ministries challenging and extremely rewarding. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

September 17, 2025

Two Assassinations: One Disturbing Trend

Next Post

September 19, 2025 Faith in Times of Media Bias and Crisis

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"This is far from settled science. I raised questions that are already out there. You ..."

Dennis McIntyre

Are Vaccines Harming Our Children? Facts, ..."

"Your claims are false. The only evidence you present is a single non peer reviewed ..."

FOOM

Are Vaccines Harming Our Children? Facts, ..."

"The doubts were already there. You just don't want to believe them. Your passionate, although ..."

Dennis McIntyre

Are Vaccines Harming Our Children? Facts, ..."

"The question, “Are vaccines harming our children?” does not have a simple answer.Sure it does: ..."

FOOM

Are Vaccines Harming Our Children? Facts, ..."

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category $375M penalty 1 in 9.2 quintillion 1954 1964 Civil Rights Act 3M and Dupont 764 Network 9/11 988 A Tale of Two Horses A&E Real Estate abortion abortion Abortion Abortion Pill Reversal abundant abundant life abundant life academic excellence accountability accountable active listening addiction addiction Adoption Adultery Advent Advocate Affordable Care Act Agape Agent Orange AI Alabama Supreme Court All Saints Day almsgiving American History AML anointed anti-ICE raids antisemitism antisemitism anxiety Apostles Armistice Day artificial intelligence Ascension Thursday Ash Wednesday assassination Assassinations assimilation assisted dying assisted suicide attacks attitude Australia Australia Autism Therapy Billing Fraud banned books baptism Baptism of the Lord Barnard College BBC Beatitudes Beatitudes bias Bible Reflection Bible Study Biblical Reflection Biden DOJ big beautiful bill Bioethics birthright citizenship Birthright Citizenship Blind Man BLM riots blockade Bloody Sunday Bodhi Bondi brackets breaking bread Brian Thompson Brown University bubble teams Budget management buffer zones California AB 1955 Calvary Cancer Capitol riot carry your cross cashless bail Catholic Catholic Catholic Books Catholic Education Catholic Faith Catholic Faith Formation Catholic Family Life Catholic Living Catholic Perspective Catholic Reflections census census charitable donations charity Charity Charlie Kirk Charlie Kirk Charlotte murder ChatGPT Chicago child abuse child abuse child safety online Childhood Cancer children china dependency Christian christian genocide Christian Living Christian Nation Christian Nationalism Christian Reflection Christian Reflections Christianity Christianity Christmas Christmas Church Teaching Civic Engagement civic integration Civil Commitment Climate change closed border clothing college campuses college campuses College of Cardinals Colonists Colorado Columbia University coming of the Lord commandments Commentary common good common good communication Communion Community commute sentences compact compassion compassion compassion compassion compensation concealed evidence confession Confession Congress Conservation contaminated water contention controversy Controversy conversion Corpus Christi court challenges COVID-19 COVID-19 crime Crime crime victims' rights criminalize crisis Critical Race Theory crucifixion Culture culture of death Current Events Cybersecurity D-Day Invasion David dazzling white de-escalate Dead Hand death Death Penalty democrats denuclearization destruction deterrent Devil DHS dignity of human life Discipleship Discipline discipline discipline divide Divine Mercy Sunday division Doha DOJ Donald Trump double-digit inflation doubting Thomas drug prevention drug trafficking Easter Easter Easter Monday Economic Policies Economics economy Education Education News Education Technology election Election Day electoral college Elijah Emmanuel Emmaus Energy Environment equality Establishment Clause eternal life eternal life eternal reward Ethics Ethics & Society Eucharist Eucharist Eucharistic Procession Euthanasia Evangelists Evergreen High School exalts Executive Orders expiring FACE Act FACE Act Faith faith Faith & Culture Faith & Spiritual Growth Faith & Spirituality Faith and Society Faith Reflection faithfulness Family Right and Responsibilities Act family separation fasting FDA approvals Feast of Christ the King Feast of the Holy Family federal funding Feeding Our Future Fifth Sunday of Easter Fifth Sunday of Lent Fig tree Finance financial mismanagement fire First Amendment First Amendment foreign nationals forgive Forgiveness founding fathers Fourteenth Amendment Fourth Sunday in Advent Fourth Sunday of Easter Fourth Sunday of Lent Fraud free speech freedom freedom of conscience gardener Gaudete Sunday Gay community Gaza War GDP Gen Z gender confusion gender ideology gender ideology general assembly generosity GEO Politics Geopolitics Gerrymandering gerrymandering Giving Machines Global Affairs global impact glory God God's glory God's grace God's presence God's presence God's presence God's voice Good Friday Good Shepherd Good Shepherd gospel Gospel Reflections Government Government Policy government shutdown government shutdown Government Weaponization graces Gratitude gun control Gun violence Hamas Hamas Israel War Hanukkah harvest Hate Crimes hate speech hate speech Health health Health Policy Healthcare Crisis healthcare crisis hearts heaven Hezbollah Higher Education higher prices higher revenue History History of Christianity Holiday Holidays Holiness Holy Days Holy Spirit Holy Spirit Holy Spirit Holy Thursday Homeless homeless honor victims Hope hope hospitality hospitality Human Rights human trafficking humanitarian crisis Humanitarian Crisis humble humble humility humility Humility Hyde Act ICE ICE ICE Facility ICE Raids illegal immigrants illegal immigrants illegal immigration immigrants immigration immigration Immigration Policy Immigration Reform Independence Day inhumane integrity Interfaith International Day of Charity International Day of Tolerance International Relations intolerance involuntary Iran Iran Iran War Iran War IRS Isaiah Israel Israel Iran War January 6 January 6th Jerusalem Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Christ Jesus' divinity Jesus' humanity Jesus' identity Jesus' Identity Rooted in God Jesus' Passion John Paul II John the Baptist Johnson Amendment joint session of Congress Joseph's dream judgment July 4 Just War justice justice keyboard warriors kids under 16 kindness kingship Kwanzaa Labor Market laborers Laetare Sunday Lamb of God last charge Last Supper Last Supper Last Supper Law Law & Governance Lazarus Lazarus leave no one behind legacy Legal Issues Legal News legal settlement Lent Lent Lent and Easter lepers LGBTQ+ Light Breaks Into the Darkness litigation Liturgy living water Love love low-income families lowly Luke Luke Luke 15 Lulumon Maduro Mainstream Media March Madness Martha and Mary Mary and Martha mask mandate Mass Deportations mass deportations mass executions mass shootings Mayor Mamdani Mayor Mamdani Medicaid Housing Fraud Medical Aid in Dying Medical Aid in Dying Medicare Meditation mental health Mental Health mental health mental health providers mental illness mercy Mercy Merry Christmas Messiah Meta Verdict Mexico City Policy Middle East mineral stockpile Minneapolis Minnesota tragedy mission mixed-status families MLB morally just Moses Moses mourning muslim extremists mustard seed Naaman narrow gate National Crime Victims Rights Week National Crime Victims' Rights Week National Day of Prayer National Events National Popular Vote Pact National Suicide Prevention Week National Vietnam War Veterans Day nativity NBA NCAA Mens Basketball Championship neglect New York New York New York City New York City News Nigeria No King but King Jesus novemdiales nuclear nuclear Nuclear Arms nuclear conflict Obamacare subsidies obedience oil prices Olympic Opening Ceremonies Online Sports Betting open borders open borders Operation Epic Fury oppression Ordinary Time Our Father Palestine Palm Sunday pandemic papabili papal conclave parable Parable of the Lost Son parental monitoring parental notification parental rights parental rights Parenting passion patience Patriot Day peace Peace peace through strength Pentecost Pentecost persecuted Perseverance Persistence Personal Growth pet care PFAS Pharisee Philosophy physician-assisted suicide Pilgrim's Prayer political allegiance political discourse political divide political division political endorsements political leverage political rhetoric Politics poor Pope Francis Pope Francis' Death popular vote Pornography poverty Poverty poverty power Prayer prayer Prayer prayer Prayer prayer prayer Prayer and Devotion pre-existing conditions preiest Presidential Pardon pride Pro-Hamas Protests Pro-Life pro-life supporters Project Vault protests protests protests PTSD Public discourse Public Lands Public Policy public witness punitive tariffs Quads Racism raised from the dead readiness reciprocal tariffs Reconciliation redemptive suffering Redistricting redistricting reflection rejoice relationship Relationship relationship relationship relationship relax and recharge Religion religion Religion & Ethics Religion & Faith Religion and Culture Religion and Society religious extremism religious freedom Religious Freedom Reparations reporting resolve resurrection resurrection retreat rich man righteousness rising Roblox Sabbath safety safety risks Saint Paul Saint Peter Salmon River School District Samaritan woman SAVE Act SB 5375 School Choice school shooting School shooting School systems SCOTUS Scripture Scripture Commentary Scripture Reflections Scripture Study Seal of Confession Second Amendment Second Sunday in Advent Second Sunday in Lent Second Sunday of Easter secure elections sede vacante Self-Care self-giving love self-harm Selma Separation of church and state servant leadership Seventh Sunday of Easter sexual exploitation Sexually explicit content sheep shelters Siloam simple sin sin Sixth Sunday of easter SNAP Social Issues Social Justice social media Social Media Ban social reform Society Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity speech spiritual spiritual blindness Spiritual Companion Spiritual Direction spiritual direction Spiritual Growth spiritual liberty Spiritual Priorities spiritual unity Spiritual Unity spiritual urgency Spirituality spirituality Sports State Stewards Submarines suffering Suicide suicide suicide pod Sunday Mass Readings Sunday Readings Surrender Sydney Tariffs tariffs tax taxes Technology teen suicide Teens Temple Temptations in the Desert Ten Commandments Tennessee bills term limits terminally ill Terror Attacks Terrorism Texas SB 2972 Thanksgiving The Advocate The Day of the Lord Theology Third Sunday in Advent Third Sunday of Lent Timeout boxes Tolerance total commitment toxic training Transfiguration Transfiguration transformation Transformed Life Transgender Treasures in Heaven trial Triduum trinity Trinity Trump Trump Trump Trust trust Truth two disciples U.S. Foreign Policy U.S. Growth U.S. History U.S. News U.S. Supreme Court Ukraine War Ukraine War unaccompanied minors Uncategorized unconditional understanding United Nations United States unity Unity unity unity unity with God universal health care unjust judge unselfish Urban Affairs Vaccinations vending machines Venezuela Veterans Day Vietnam War Vigilant violent protests visas revoked voter suppression waiting War on Drugs Washington State well widow wooden beam Word made flesh World Affairs World Community Sunday World Day Against Trafficking in Persons World News World Trade Center World War II World War III worldly tasks worship

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which letter wraps up with the reminder, "Let everything be done decently and in order"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Hebrews James 1 Timothy 1 Corinthians