President Trump’s recent comments about potentially resuming nuclear weapons testing have sparked significant debate. Experts say we likely won’t see dramatic explosions in the New Mexico desert or underground tremors in Nevada. However, there are many questions about what type of testing he might mean.
In a “60 Minutes” interview, Trump mentioned he didn’t want the U.S. to be the only country not conducting tests. For context, the U.S. hasn’t executed above-ground nuclear tests since the 1960s. The last underground test occurred in 1992, marking a pause in actual detonations.
When asked if he intended to restart testing after more than 30 years, Trump stated, “we’re going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do.” He highlighted that countries like Russia, China, and North Korea continue testing, pointing out that the U.S. can’t be left behind.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe echoed Trump’s sentiments, citing U.S. assessments from 2019 showing that Russia and China were conducting low-yield nuclear tests. These small tests help researchers understand weapon efficacy but are generally prohibited under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which the U.S., China, and Russia have signed but not ratified.
Currently, nine nations possess over 12,000 nuclear warheads, with the U.S. and Russia holding nearly 90% of them, according to the Federation of American Scientists. Experts warn that Russia’s stockpile is the largest and most diverse globally, which could have catastrophic implications for security.
Countries like China assert they prioritize responsible nuclear strategies, emphasizing their commitment to suspending tests. A Pakistani official remarked that they wouldn’t be the first to resume testing, reiterating the historical context around nuclear testing.
George Perkovich, a nuclear policy expert, suggests Trump might be referring to “subcritical” tests, which do not produce explosions but can be conducted in labs. Sigfried Hecker, a former lab director, noted that such tests provide insights without a visible fallout.
Experts agree that the U.S. hasn’t identified a technical need for returning to nuclear testing. Heather Williams, from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, highlighted that China, having conducted far fewer tests than the U.S. and Russia, might benefit if the U.S. resumes testing. This gap in data could allow China to gain critical insights into weapon design.
In summary, while the idea of resuming nuclear testing raises alarms, the conversation is complex. It involves technical requirements, international treaties, and the delicate balance of global security. As the situation develops, experts will continue to analyze the implications for U.S. defense strategy and international relations.
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Nuclear Weapons, Donald Trump
