A "free-for-all" The incipient nuclear-arms race may start in earnest in 2026. A nuclear free-for-all beckons, as China rapidly builds up its arsenal, and America’s allies and foes alike think of going nuclear

 The incipient nuclear-arms race may start in earnest in 2026. A nuclear free-for-all beckons, as China rapidly builds up its arsenal, and America’s allies and foes alike think of going nuclear https://econ.st/4oNoUlP

核武軍備競賽的雛形可能在2026年真正開始。隨著中國迅速擴充核武庫，以及美國的盟友和對手都在考慮發展核武器，一場核武混戰似乎即將爆發。 https://econ.st/4oNoUlP

incipient

/ɪnˈsɪpiənt/

adjective

1. beginning to happen or develop.

   "he could feel incipient anger building up"

   • (of a person) developing into a specified type or role.

     "we seemed more like friends than incipient lovers"

   
   

A "free-for-all" is a chaotic situation or a competition open to everyone, often with no rules. It can describe a disorganized fight or argument, or a chaotic, uncontrolled contest or situation, like a buffet table with no lines. The term can also refer to any field where many companies or individuals compete without restriction. 

• Chaotic situation: A disordered fight, argument, or contest with many participants and no rules. For example, a basketball game that turns into a brawl or a press conference that devolves into chaos.
• Unrestricted competition: Any situation where many people or entities are competing for the same thing without a clear structure or control. This could be a price-cutting war between stores or a scramble for resources at a free-for-all event.
• Open to anyone: The term can also be used more simply to mean "open to all comers," without the connotation of chaos. For example, a "free-for-all" online forum or event that anyone can join.