Trump's Nuclear Testing: Because the World Wasn't Quite Hot Enough
MSNBC breathlessly reported on Donald Trump's order for the Pentagon to prepare nuclear tests "on an equal basis" with other nations ( MSNBC, 06/17/2024 ). What they conveniently left out? The U.S. has conducted over 1,000 nuclear tests, vastly more than Russia or China. The comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty (CTBT), which the US signed but refused to ratify, has been the international standard
since 1996. So, "equal basis" actually means returning to a unilateral, destabilizing posture, demanding others abide by rules America only selectively follows. Instead of merely reporting Trump’s latest escalation, one might ask why the U.S. media never questions the inherent hypocrisy of demanding non-proliferation from nations like Iran, while simultaneously maintaining a first-strike doctrine
and refusing to ratify treaties it expects others to uphold. It seems some countries' rights to destabilize global security are more equal than others.