The last nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia has expired, and that’s a good thing. Former President Barack Obama and others have decried the end of the New START Treaty, warning that it could “pointlessly wipe out decades of diplomacy” and “spark another arms race.” But that arms race is already hurtling along, and America is being left behind. Obama’s bleating advice should be rejected.

The New START Treaty between the U.S. and the Russian Federation to reduce strategic offensive weapons entered into force on Feb. 5, 2011. It lasted 10 years.