A US F-35A drops an inert B61-12 nuclear bomb during a flight test over the Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, 2020. Image via DOD
Q1. Between 1945 and 1992, the US conducted 1,032 nuclear weapons test blasts. Since then, all US nuclear testing has been done via simulation.
In 1996, one hundred and eight-seven countries signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty, which prohibits nuclear weapons tests. Three current nuclear states, Indian, Pakistan, and North Korea have not signed, and four others, US, China, Israel, and Russia have signed but not ratified. No nation other than North Korea has conducted a nuclear test since 1998
The first Trump administration discussed conducting nuclear tests, and advisers in his second administration are also calling for a resumption of testing in the interest of assuring military preparedness.
Would you like to see the US resume testing?
In 1996, one hundred and eight-seven countries signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty, which prohibits nuclear weapons tests. Three current nuclear states, Indian, Pakistan, and North Korea have not signed, and four others, US, China, Israel, and Russia have signed but not ratified. No nation other than North Korea has conducted a nuclear test since 1998
The first Trump administration discussed conducting nuclear tests, and advisers in his second administration are also calling for a resumption of testing in the interest of assuring military preparedness.
Would you like to see the US resume testing?
(Image: First nuclear test, Trinity site, New Mexico, July 16, 1945. Getty // Kyodo)
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
No
61%
51%
71%
30%
77%
89%
69%
62%
56%
64%
Yes, but only if Russia or China do
8%
12%
5%
10%
8%
6%
11%
8%
6%
9%
Yes, if any country besides N Korea does
8%
8%
8%
16%
5%
1%
10%
11%
5%
10%
Yes, whether other countries do or not
17%
26%
10%
37%
8%
1%
10%
10%
26%
17%
Don't know
5%
4%
6%
8%
1%
3%
0%
9%
7%
1%
Don't care
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Q2. Russia has 4,300 nuclear weapons, the US 3,700, China 600. China and Russia have talked of increasing the size of their nuclear arsenal.
Should the US increase the size of its nuclear arsenal?
Should the US increase the size of its nuclear arsenal?
(Image: Workers celebrate China’s first nuclear test, Xinjiang, October 16, 1964)
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
No, in fact reduce count
28%
26%
30%
6%
41%
48%
37%
32%
24%
27%
No, stay same
28%
31%
25%
25%
30%
30%
23%
30%
26%
31%
Yes, but only if Russia or China do
17%
17%
18%
25%
15%
10%
10%
21%
15%
21%
Yes, regardless of what Russia or China do
22%
22%
23%
40%
13%
7%
31%
8%
31%
20%
Don't know
4%
3%
5%
3%
1%
5%
0%
9%
2%
2%
Don't care
1%
1%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
2%
0%
Q3. Kashmir is one of the most militarized regions in the world, claimed in entirety by both India and Pakistan, although each controls only a portion in their territory. The two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought several wars over the region, most recently in 1999.
In April, a Pakistani militant group claimed responsibility for an attack that killed 26 Indians in Kashmir. India launched missile strikes against Pakistan in retaliation, which led to both sides launching missiles and drones into each other’s territory.
In early May, Vice-president JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio led a US delegation that brokered a cease-fire.
How does the fact that India and Pakistan both have nuclear weapons impact the likelihood of a major war between the two?
In April, a Pakistani militant group claimed responsibility for an attack that killed 26 Indians in Kashmir. India launched missile strikes against Pakistan in retaliation, which led to both sides launching missiles and drones into each other’s territory.
In early May, Vice-president JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio led a US delegation that brokered a cease-fire.
How does the fact that India and Pakistan both have nuclear weapons impact the likelihood of a major war between the two?
(Image: Azad Kashmir, administered by Pakistan. Wikimedia)
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Makes war more likely
31%
25%
37%
27%
24%
37%
32%
12%
35%
47%
No impact
28%
26%
30%
35%
33%
21%
19%
35%
32%
20%
Less likely
28%
41%
18%
28%
30%
28%
48%
33%
22%
23%
Don't know
10%
6%
14%
6%
13%
14%
2%
15%
10%
10%
Don't care
2%
3%
0%
3%
0%
0%
0%
4%
1%
0%
Article on Outrider.org Hidden History of Atomic Veterans
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