In the midst of an important diplomatic trip to Asia, President Trump threatened on social media to resume nuclear testing for the first time in over 30 years. 'In connection with the testing programs of other countries, I have instructed the Department of Defense to begin testing our nuclear weapons on equal terms,' Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social, adding that the process will begin immediately.
As writes The New York Times, for many years American nuclear engineers have stated that further nuclear tests are unnecessary, as they can simulate tests on a computer rather than risk explosions that were once conducted in the Pacific Ocean or underground in Nevada. The last time the US conducted nuclear tests was in September 1992. But in recent years, as the United States began to modernize its aging arsenal, calls to resume testing have emerged.
It is quite possible that Trump decided to respond to the threats of Vladimir Putin, who in recent days stated that Russia successfully tested a cruise missile with a nuclear engine and nuclear armament 'Burevestnik', as well as a nuclear torpedo called 'Poseidon'. The torpedo is intended to move under the Pacific Ocean from the east of Russia to strike the western coast of the US.
If Trump proceeds with nuclear weapons testing, it is likely to trigger similar tests by other nuclear-armed states, writes NYT. Among US allies, these include the United Kingdom, France, and Israel, which has an undeclared arsenal of nearly 100 weapons. India, Pakistan, and North Korea also have growing nuclear arsenals.