Here’s what went down 👇
Read this especially if you care about national defense, U.S. global power, or the growing tensions between nuclear superpowers.
🇺🇸 What Trump Announced
Last week, President Trump said the U.S. will resume nuclear weapons testing. He cited growing threats from other countries and said testing would begin immediately to keep pace. He called the U.S. the world’s top nuclear power and hinted at a potential deal with Russia and China to reduce arsenals.
🇷🇺 How Russia Responded
Putin ordered Russian officials to draw up plans to prepare for nuclear testing. He said Russia still respects the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty but warned that any U.S. move will force Russia to respond appropriately.
📜 What the Law Says
The U.S. signed the CTBT in 1996 but never ratified it, meaning America is not legally bound by its rules. Russia has ratified it, but Putin’s remarks suggest flexibility if the U.S. moves first.
🚀 What Each Side Has Tested
The U.S. launched a Minuteman III missile last week from California, traveling over 4,000 miles. Russia claimed it tested two delivery vehicles, a Poseidon undersea torpedo and a nuclear-powered cruise missile. Neither country has done a full explosive nuclear test since the early 1990s.
🧠 Why This Matters Now
Trump’s announcement came as over 80% of the National Nuclear Security Administration is furloughed due to the government shutdown. Critics say the timing is risky, while supporters argue it shows strength and urgency in a shifting global landscape.
💬 What Russia’s Saying
Dmitry Medvedev mocked Trump’s comments, saying Trump probably doesn’t even know what he meant. Still, he said Russia will take the U.S. seriously and evaluate its own testing plans accordingly.
🧠 The Bottom Line
Trump’s move puts nuclear deterrence back in the spotlight. It signals that the U.S. is no longer sitting back while adversaries modernize their arsenals, and now Russia is stepping to that line too.
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