Leaders of the world’s largest nuclear powers are gradually becoming less fearful of the consequences of a possible use of nuclear weapons, according to an article in The Economist. The publication argues that this fear played a central role during the Cold War by helping prevent direct escalation.

The authors point to the expansion or modernization of nuclear forces by the United States and China, while arms-control negotiations remain limited. In their assessment, the former system of deterrence built around the threat of mutual destruction is steadily losing its previous stability.

The Economist contrasts the current situation with the 1986 meeting in Reykjavik between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Although the two sides failed to reach an agreement at the time, the talks laid the groundwork for later treaties that eliminated entire classes of nuclear weapons.

Both leaders also expressed an ambition to eventually move toward the complete elimination of nuclear arms.

The current environment is markedly different. The United States is expanding its missile-defense capabilities and developing nuclear-related cooperation with allies, including Saudi Arabia and South Korea. US President Donald Trump also supports the creation of the Golden Dome system, designed to protect the country from missile attacks.

China, meanwhile, publicly opposes nuclear war under President Xi Jinping but continues to reject participation in trilateral arms-control talks with Moscow and Washington. Beijing explains its position by arguing that its nuclear arsenal remains significantly smaller than those of the United States and Russia.

The Economist also highlighted a shift in China’s approach toward North Korea and Iran. Beijing has become less willing to support international sanctions aimed at restricting the nuclear programs of those countries.

At the same time, Chinese authorities are not prepared to apply pressure that could threaten the stability of their political regimes.

The authors link the weakening of nuclear deterrence to the growing tendency of leaders of major powers to rely on their own political and strategic calculations. In their view, the shared fear of global destruction no longer carries the same weight it did several decades ago.