White House wants time on nuke pact with Russia

The White House has not made a decision about whether to extend the treaty that constrains U.S. and Russian nuclear forces because administration officials want more time to coax China into a three-way arms control pact.

China, which is poised to at least double its nuclear stockpile in the next decade, has not publicly expressed interest in such talks. A senior administration official, who briefed reporters on Friday, said Beijing’s silence will force America to strengthen its deterrence and military readiness.

The administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity according to White House ground rules, said the U.S. and Russia support the idea of engaging China.