Donald Trump News: Trump Orders Nuclear Test After 30 Years, Sparking Global Alarm Amid Russia-China Tensions

In a move that has sent shockwaves across the globe, US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to immediately begin testing nuclear weapons. This directive marks a significant departure from decades of US policy, as the country last conducted a nuclear test on September 23, 1992, in Nevada. Following that, then-President George H. W. Bush announced a moratorium on underground nuclear tests. Trump announced his order on his social media platform 'Truth Social,' stating that in light of tests by other countries, the Department of War has been commanded to commence testing US nuclear weapons on an equal footing as soon as possible. This decision has ignited fierce debate and concern in diplomatic circles worldwide.

Controversial Timing Amidst Geopolitical Shifts

The timing of Trump's order is particularly contentious. It was issued just as Trump was meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. On top of that, the decision comes shortly after Russia conducted its own series of nuclear weapons drills, including successful tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). This confluence of events has led to widespread speculation about the underlying motivations behind Trump's directive. Experts are questioning whether this is a strategic maneuver to assert US dominance or a reaction to perceived threats from the growing nuclear capabilities of Russia and China. Trump claimed that the US possesses the most nuclear weapons globally, though the 'International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons' (ICAN) indicates Russia currently holds more than 5,500 warheads, compared to approximately 5,044 for the US. Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed his military to conduct exercises simulating a nuclear strike. These drills included the testing of the 'Yars' ICBM, capable of striking the US, from Plesetsk, and another ICBM, 'Sineva,' launched from a submarine in the Barents Sea, while russia also tested long-range cruise missiles fired from Tu-95 strategic bombers. General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian Armed Forces, presented these tests to President Putin via video link. Interestingly, Trump had previously reacted to Russia's tests by stating that Putin's missile launches were "not appropriate" and that he should "focus on ending the war. " Trump's latest order appears to contradict his earlier admonition, signaling a potential shift in his approach to nuclear policy.

Russia's Recent Nuclear Drills and Trump's Previous Stance

China's Expanding Nuclear Arsenal

China is also rapidly expanding and modernizing its nuclear capabilities. Experts suggest that China's nuclear arsenal could reach 1,000 weapons by 2030. China successfully detonated its first atomic bomb on October 16, 1964, becoming the fifth nuclear-weapon state, while its last nuclear test was in July 1996. While estimates vary, China is believed to possess around 600 nuclear weapons currently, a number that has been steadily increasing. The US decision to resume testing could also be interpreted as a response to China's growing military prowess and nuclear modernization efforts, potentially impacting the power balance in the Indo-Pacific region.

Violation of International Treaties and Global Alarm

Trump's directive to resume nuclear testing could be seen as a violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which the US is a signatory to and had effectively upheld through its moratorium since 1992, while the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has previously warned that a new round of nuclear testing could trigger a global arms race, destabilizing international security. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren tweeted that Trump was treating nuclear war like a "toy," highlighting the serious concerns. Analysts believe that the combination of Russia's new weapon tests and this retaliatory move by the US could severely undermine global peace efforts, while the international community will be closely watching the ramifications of this decision and how it impacts long-term disarmament goals.