Washington prepares to resume nuclear testing: Is a new arms race beginning?
In a striking development reminiscent of the Cold War, a senior US official announced the United States' readiness to resume nuclear testing, ending a decades-long commitment to halt such tests. This announcement comes at a sensitive time, marked by escalating geopolitical tensions between the superpowers, and specifically as major arms control agreements approach their expiration.
Preparing for nuclear deterrence scenarios
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation confirmed that Washington is now technically and politically ready to conduct low-yield nuclear tests. The official explained that this approach aligns with the US administration's vision, which has emphasized on numerous occasions the need to maintain the readiness of the American nuclear arsenal. He indicated that talk of resuming testing is not merely an empty threat, but a serious option being considered "on par" with that of rival powers.
Accusations against China and Russia and eroding trust
This strategic shift is directly linked to repeated US accusations against both China and Russia. Washington believes that Beijing and Moscow are secretly conducting low-level nuclear tests, which violates international norms regarding the cessation of such tests. Analysts see the US move as an attempt to establish a new balance of terror and force China, in particular, to the negotiating table on arms control, something Beijing has consistently refused.
Historical background: From "Ivy Mike" to limited trials
To clarify, the US official indicated that resuming testing does not mean repeating the horrific scenarios of the 1950s, such as the Ivy Mike test in 1952, which was the first test of a hydrogen bomb and resulted in the obliteration of an island in the Pacific Ocean. Instead, it refers to underground, precisely controlled tests designed to ensure the effectiveness of warheads without causing widespread radioactive contamination. It is worth noting that the United States has not conducted a nuclear explosive test since 1992, limiting itself since then to computer simulations and subcritical testing.
The fate of the New START treaty
This escalation coincides with the ongoing debate surrounding the New START treaty, the last remaining pillar of nuclear arms control between the United States and Russia. With deadlines expire and conditions being imposed by both sides—including Washington's desire to include China in any future agreement—the world appears to be on the brink of a new arms race driven by the qualitative development of tactical and strategic nuclear weapons, posing unprecedented challenges to international peace and security.
