US President Trump declared on the 29th that he has instructed the Department of Defense to immediately restart nuclear weapons testing to respond to the potential threats posed by Russia and China.
Striking Back Against Putin’s Nuclear Tests
Trump posted on social media platform 'Truth Social' stating that he has directed the Department of Defense to respond to the test plans of other nuclear powers in order to maintain US leadership in nuclear weapons technology. "Russia is currently ranked second, with China far behind Russia in third, but within five years the two countries will be neck and neck."
On the same day, Russian President Putin announced the successful test of a nuclear-powered super torpedo called "Poseidon." Military analysts say that this torpedo can trigger massive radioactive waves, causing devastating effects to coastal areas. As Trump’s stance toward Russia grows ever tougher, Putin has repeatedly showcased his nuclear capabilities, testing new weapons and conducting military exercises on the 21st and 22nd.
The last time the US conducted a nuclear test was in 1992. Such tests verify the functionality of new nuclear weapons and whether older ones remain effective. Apart from collecting technical data, the US tests are also seen as a deliberate show of strategic strength towards Russia and China.
In July 1945, the US conducted a 20-kiloton atomic bomb test at Alamogordo, New Mexico, ushering in the nuclear age. In August of the same year, the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending World War II.