Overview
- Trump reiterated on his flight from South Korea a Truth Social post saying the United States should resume testing because others allegedly are doing so.
- Specialists say it remains unclear whether he meant trials of delivery systems or actual nuclear detonations.
- The United States has not conducted a nuclear detonation since 1992, and experts say restarting would take years, require major funding, and likely lack congressional support.
- Analysts link Trump’s remarks to Russia’s recent announcements of tests of a nuclear-powered cruise missile and an underwater torpedo, which did not involve detonating warheads.
- Senator Ed Markey and other lawmakers, along with former ambassador Michael McFaul, call for arms-control diplomacy and pressing to extend New START before it expires in February.