Cheap laughs aside, we already test nuclear triggers at the National Ignition Facility. I'm pretty sure what Trump is demanding here is a return to atmospheric testing because he wants the thrill of seeing a giant explosion detonated on his orders. I doubt he'll be satisfied with an education tour of the NIF or even underground testing. He grew up seeing atmospheric tests and he's famous for being invested int he power of visual imagery as a means of communication.
The crazy thing is, I'm not sure that's such a bad idea. People are going to forget what these things do. Before long, we'll start to see people denying they ever existed, or that they work at all. That needs to not happen.
I already explained why his desire is irrational, the NIF takes care of this.
More importantly, if China and Russia are cheating (which it appears that they are by masking their own tests that exceed treaty yield limitations) this gives the US a bargaining chip — back off and the US will, don't and we won't. That's what this is all about.
if China and Russia are cheating (which it appears that they are by masking their own tests that exceed treaty yield limitations)
I remember this idea being floated a few years ago, but the evidence was tissue thin. Perhaps the Russian activity was based on intel sources (which would understandably not be disclosed), the allegations of Chinese activity were based on construction activity that might be compatible with low yield nuclear testing. Also, I don't think the US has any standing to grumble about the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty limitations, not having ratified the treaty itself - literally a case of 'do as I say, not as I do.'
I distrust Russia in general and consider China suspect where security is concerned, but the incumbent administration in the US isn't trustworthy either.
Seems clear he's calling out cheating on zero yield test thresholds with the "equal basis" language (Russia was reportedly guilty of this in 2019 IIRC). It will be interesting to see where this goes.
Threats of nuclear war are not, in fact, 'good bargaining chip's. They were pathetic weakness when Russia did it with Ukraine, and now, sadly, when the USA does it.
If Trump wanted to start testing unilaterally, he could just do that. There's no need for the Xi tie-in. Clearly this is meant as a foreign policy lever.
Yes. That's what I'm saying. He's adopting a threatening stance. The threat of nuclear war is literally the only message that resuming nuclear testing sends.
andsoitis•3mo ago
https://www.netflix.com/title/81744537
verdverm•3mo ago