US discussed holding first nuclear test in decades citing threat from China, Russia: report
- Such a test would be a significant departure from US defence policy and dramatically up the ante for other nuclear-armed nations
- The discussion, which took place on May 15, came after officials reportedly claimed that Moscow and Beijing were conducting their own low-yield tests
Such a test would be a significant departure from US defence policy and dramatically up the ante for other nuclear-armed nations. One analyst told the newspaper that if it were to go ahead it would be seen as the “starting gun to an unprecedented nuclear arms race”.
The report, citing one senior administration official and two former officials, all who spoke anonymously, said the discussion had taken place at a meeting on May 15.
The senior administration official said that showing Washington’s ability to “rapid test” would be a useful negotiating tactic as the US seeks a trilateral agreement with Russia and China over nuclear weapons.
The meeting did not conclude with any agreement, and the sources were divided over whether discussions were still ongoing.