US weighs return to nuclear testing, no clear plan

The United States does not yet have a clear plan to implement President Donald Trump’s decision to resume nuclear weapons testing. According to senior State Department official Thomas DiNanno, options are still being assessed and the specific shape of the programme has not been determined.

DiNanno stressed that there are no discussions about returning to atmospheric tests, which the US last conducted in 1962. However, he did not rule out a resumption of underground testing, last carried out in 1992.

At the same time, the US administration is repeating accusations that Russia and China are carrying out underground tests – claims both countries deny and some experts dispute.

According to DiNanno, continuing the US moratorium could put Washington at a disadvantage in the strategic balance.

(reuters, mja)