Nuclear Tensions: What's Really Going On?

Pakistan has made it clear that it won't be the first to restart nuclear tests. This comes after President Trump claimed that Pakistan, along with Russia and China, has been secretly testing nuclear weapons. A high-ranking Pakistani security official stated, "Pakistan was not the first to test nuclear weapons, and it won't be the first to start again. " Trump's comments came during an interview with CBS News. He said, "Russia's testing, and China's testing, but they don't talk about it. " He also mentioned North Korea and Pakistan. However, Trump's claims have been met with denials. China quickly responded, saying it has not conducted any secret nuclear tests. North Korea is the only country known to have tested nuclear weapons recently. China's last test was in 1996, and Pakistan's was in 1998. Since then, Pakistan has said it has a "unilateral moratorium" on nuclear testing, even though it hasn't signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The CTBT bans all nuclear explosions. Almost 180 countries have signed it, but the U. S. , China, and others haven't ratified it. Russia has been testing nuclear-capable weapons but hasn't said it will restart nuclear explosions. Pakistan, meanwhile, says it supports the goals of the CTBT and won't be the first to resume testing in South Asia. China also denied Trump's claims. A spokesperson said China is a "responsible nuclear-weapons state" and has a "self-defense nuclear strategy. " They hope the U. S. will take steps to support global nuclear disarmament and stability. Trump's comments have raised questions. Does he mean the U. S. will conduct actual nuclear explosions or just test the systems that deliver nuclear warheads? The U. S. Energy Secretary said the tests are not nuclear explosions but rather system tests.