Overview
- President Donald Trump said he instructed the Department of War to begin testing U.S. nuclear weapons “on an equal basis,” a directive he posted in late October.
- President Vladimir Putin told Russia’s Security Council that Moscow would take reciprocal measures if the United States or any CTBT signatory conducts nuclear tests.
- The White House has not clarified the scope of planned U.S. activities, while Energy Secretary Chris Wright said upcoming work would be non-explosive, involving subcritical experiments.
- The CTBTO says its global network gives states confidence they would detect a nuclear explosion and notes it identified all six North Korean tests, though experts caution very low-yield hydronuclear shots may evade detection.
- The CTBT has broad support but remains unenforced, Russia revoked its ratification in 2023, and analysts warn renewed testing could encourage states such as China or India to pursue full-scale detonations.