Nobel peace prize nominee restarts nuclear testing

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced via his social-media platform that he has instructed the Department of Defense (referred to in his statement as the “Department of War”) to “immediately” resume testing the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal, in order to operate “on an equal basis” with other nuclear powers. 

He framed the decision as a necessary response to the testing activities of rival nations, specifically referencing Russia and China. He claimed the U.S. has “more nuclear weapons than any other country,” adding that while Russia is second and China is currently a “distant third,” Beijing will be “even within five years.”

The announcement was made just before his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, adding a diplomatic backdrop to the move. 

Key points and caveats:

• The U.S. has not conducted a nuclear-explosive test since 1992, following a self-imposed moratorium. 

• It remains unclear from official statements whether the new directive involves actual warhead detonations or simply advanced testing of delivery systems or other related technologies. 

• Arms-control experts warn this could destabilize decades-long norms around nuclear testing, provoke reciprocal actions by other countries, and strain non-proliferation frameworks. 

• The timing and messaging of the announcement, coinciding with high-stakes diplomatic engagements, have drawn concern both domestically and internationally.

SOURCE: NBC NEWS