Donald Trump’s nuclear arms race

The US has not conducted nuclear weapon testing for 33 years. Now, Donald Trump is calling for an “immediate” resumption, raising concerns of a dangerous escalation.

Nov 06, 2025, updated Nov 06, 2025

Last week, US President Donald Trump instructed the Pentagon to “immediately” resume nuclear weapons testing.

The order breaks with more than three decades of protocol for the United States – justified, according to Trump, by the actions of China and Russia.

And as these nuclear-armed powers expand and modernise their arsenals, countries closer to Australia are openly debating whether to follow.

Today, professor of strategic studies at the ANU and a contributor to Australian Foreign Affairs, Brendan Taylor discusses what Trump’s announcement means for the nuclear arms race, and what happens if our neighbours go nuclear.

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Guest: Professor of strategic studies at the ANU and a contributor to Australian Foreign Affairs, Brendan Taylor

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