Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe is currently on a 'pilgrimage of peace' in Japan, commemorating the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with a focus on promoting dialogue to eliminate nuclear weapons globally. His reflections highlight a fresh urgency for peace amidst recent global conflicts, including the Gaza war protest. Concurrently, Russian Ambassador Nikolay Nozdrev has criticized the strengthening U.S.-Japan military alliance, asserting it poses a nuclear threat to regional neighbors, particularly in light of Japan's collaboration with the U.S. on nuclear planning. The U.S. has signaled its commitment to defend Japan using nuclear deterrence strategies, which has drawn sharp criticism from Russia. Additionally, the U.S. is modernizing its nuclear arsenal as part of a strategy to counter threats from Russia and China, seeking to restore its nuclear capabilities significantly. This evolving landscape raises concerns about a renewed nuclear arms race and the potential for increased global tensions.