Trump admin has looked at conducting first US nuclear test since '90s citing threat from Russia, China: report

[link to thehill.com (secure)]


Trump admin has looked at conducting first US nuclear test since '90s citing threat from Russia, China: report


Members of the Trump administration have explored conducting the first U.S. nuclear test since 1992 in a move that would mark a reversal from a decades-long freeze on such tests.

A senior administration official and two former officials familiar with the deliberations told The Washington Post that discussions were held at a meeting of senior officials from the top national security agencies last Friday. The conversations came in response to accusations that Russia and China are running low-yield nuclear tests, though no evidence has emerged to support the claims.

A senior administration official told the Post that showing Russia and China, two top adversaries, that the U.S. could conduct a "rapid test" could grant Washington leverage in seeking a trilateral nuclear deal.

Last week's meeting did not conclude with a decision regarding a test, though the conversation on conducting one is reportedly ongoing. However, officials seriously disagreed with each other over the idea.