Trump tells Pentagon to resume nuke tests; Kremlin to follow suit, Pg2.

Key Highlights:

• President Trump directed the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing after a 33-year hiatus.
• The decision was announced prior to a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.
• Trump stated the US needs to keep pace with other nuclear powers like Russia and China.
• The Kremlin stated that Russia would follow suit if the US resumes testing.
• The last US nuclear test occurred in 1992 under President George HW Bush.

Detailed Insights:

• The announcement signifies a reversal of the US moratorium on nuclear testing initiated at the end of the Cold War.
• China's Foreign Ministry urged the US to adhere to its commitment to the moratorium to maintain global strategic stability.
• The Arms Control Association reports that only North Korea has conducted a nuclear test explosion in this century, with Pyongyang declaring a moratorium in 2018.
• The specifics of the US testing program, including whether it will involve explosive testing, have not been detailed.
• Trump expressed a desire for denuclearization but emphasized the need for the US to maintain its nuclear capabilities.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Moratorium: A temporary prohibition of an activity.
• Denuclearization: The process of eliminating nuclear weapons.
• Arms Control: International regulations or treaties regarding the production, testing, or deployment of weapons.