The Pentagon to Resume U.S. Nuclear Testing

For a while, nuclear proliferation was all the rage, as the world’s major powers rushed to get their hands on as many nuclear weapons as possible. This race was best exemplified by the Cold War, which saw the US face off against the U.S.S.R. over who could increase their atomic arsenal the fastest. Eventually, however, there were enough nuclear weapons in circulation. At one point, proliferation dipped due to many factors. Production of nuclear weapons was draining defense budgets, and fear for safety and stability resulted in the signing of nonproliferation treaties. Soon after the proliferation of nuclear weapons ramped down, testing followed. Major powers signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and the last full-scale nuclear test carried out by the US was in 1992. That, however, is likely to change soon. 

Breaking precedence with the last six Presidents, including his own first term, Trump has directed the Pentagon to once again begin testing nuclear weapons. This directive comes after the recent resurgence of proliferation between China and Russia. In the past few years, these nations have not only made small moves towards building their own weapons arsenals, but have also turned a blind eye to other states attempting to proliferate. Russia has recently voted to shield Iran and North Korea from censures and embargoes, allowing Iran to continue attempting proliferation and North Korea to further expand their already-existing supply of nuclear weapons. China has adopted an increasingly combative military strategy, particularly with recent conflicts in the South China Sea, and is more focused on providing a geopolitical counter to US influence than preventing proliferation. This is Trump’s main justification for resuming nuclear testing, wanting to do so on an “equal basis to China and Russia.”

Despite the implication of resuming explosive tests, sources close to the President were quick to reign the notion in. Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, stated that the tests would not be explosive, but rather system tests. These sorts of tests occur more often in labs and other government facilities, testing the inner working geometry of nuclear weapons, rather than outwardly testing the effectiveness of their explosions. Still, Trump’s bold claim was quick to rouse an international response. Mere days after Trump pitched the idea, Putin announced that if the U.S. resumed nuclear testing, Russia would follow suit. He also instructed his security council to immediately begin analyzing potential proposals for resuming Russia’s nuclear testing program. Regardless of whether or not he actually intends to go through with it, Trump’s rhetoric has still reignited the threat of nuclear proliferation and global arms races to international stability and peace.    

Read more here: 

• Colin Meyn, The Hill

• David Sanger, New York Times

• Alexander Smith, NBC

• Matthew Mosk, CBS

• Associated Press, NPR

• Trevor Hunnicutt, Reuters

• Julia Manchester, The Hill      

Extemp Question: Will Trump actually resume nuclear testing? 

Extemp Analysis by Brogan Jones

Background: For the background on this one, you’ll want to briefly go over nuclear treaties and the history of U.S. nuclear testing. It’s important to establish that a full-scale test has not been carried out since 1992. It’s also important to establish that China and Russia have been growing less cautious with their proliferation. 

Answer/SOS: If I got this question, my answer would be no for three key reasons: 1) Testing would be unnecessary, 2) Testing would be expensive, and 3) Testing would result in retaliation.  

For the first point, I would talk about how systems tests are usually pretty sufficient and how the main purpose that nuclear weapons serve in the current geopolitical climate is deterrence and the threat of use, not actual deployment. 

For the second point, I would bring up how much the U.S. spent on proliferation and testing in the past, and how it would be an unnecessary strain on the national budget when the defense budget is already considered too high and the national debt is growing. 

Finally, and most importantly, I would talk about Russian retaliation and how Putin has already threatened counter-testing if the U.S. were to resume nuclear testing. This alone serves as a deterrent that would prevent Trump from resuming explosive nuclear tests.