US Orders Resumption of Nuclear Weapons Testing After 33 Years
Why in the news
The United States has ordered a return to nuclear weapons testing, ending a pause of 33 years. Commentators describe it as a major shift in global nuclear policy, with direct implications for the test-ban regime.
Key facts
- The last US nuclear test took place in 1992, hence the 33-year gap.
- The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) of 1996 prohibits all nuclear explosions.
- The US signed the CTBT but never ratified it; Russia signed in 2000 and revoked its ratification in 2023.
- Real-world tests would allow checks on advanced warheads and delivery systems beyond computer simulations.
- Possible fallout: Russia and China may follow, and states such as Pakistan, North Korea or Iran may feel encouraged to expand or test arsenals.
| Country | Last nuclear test |
|---|---|
| Soviet Union | 1990 |
| United States | 1992 |
| China | 1996 |
| France | 1996 |
Exam angle
- Know what the CTBT does and which major powers have not ratified it.
- More than 2,000 nuclear tests were carried out worldwide between 1945 and 1996.
- Expect questions on non-proliferation, arms races and deterrence.