Boise City Wire

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his concerns over the future of arms control and deterrence during a full committee hearing. The Honorable Bonnie Jenkins, under secretary for arms control and international security at the State Department, was among the witnesses present.

Risch began his opening remarks by emphasizing the importance of this hearing, particularly in light of current global events. He asserted that soft power, which is primarily overseen by the Foreign Relations Committee, can only be effective when it is supported by hard power.

He went on to criticize the decline in military effectiveness under both Obama and Biden administrations. According to Risch, our enemies no longer believe in our threat of retaliation. He also expressed concern over the diminishing role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy.

The senator criticized the Biden administration's decision to extend the New START treaty with Russia without a rigorous policy process. He claimed that this decision was based on blind faith in arms control and was a gift to Russia who he accused of cheating daily.

Risch also pointed out that our adversaries have changed their strategies since the Cold War era. Countries like Russia and China are developing new nuclear weapons and increasing their reliance on them. Despite this fact, he said that the administration continues Obama’s policy of engaging China in talks about strategic stability while China ignores these solicitations.

The senator further noted that rogue nations like North Korea and Iran are pursuing nuclear weapons which is causing instability around the world as other countries seek to replace lost American deterrence.

On conventional weapons side, Risch stated that while AUKUS was a good idea, it has been long on rhetoric but short on results. He urged for expedited cooperation on capabilities not covered by ITAR exemption such as hypersonics and unmanned systems.

Risch concluded his remarks by criticizing Biden Administration's support for Israel and Ukraine. He claimed that U.S. credibility has been severely eroded by the Biden Administration’s vacillating support for these countries.

"Mr. Chairman, Chairman McCaul and I have written a letter to the administration raising a number of these issues and asking for some answers. I’d like to include that in the record, please," Risch said.