In a world already standing on uncertain ground, former U.S. Navy officer Anthony Cowden has issued a stark warning about Donald Trump’s plan to restart nuclear testing, calling it “completely nonsensical.”
Cowden, who served 37 years in the Navy and now works with Stari Consulting, told Reach Plc that while Trump’s decision may not directly lead to World War 3, it could trigger a new and dangerous nuclear arms race.
“It’s not clear what the benefit is in restarting nuclear testing,” Cowden said. “No other nation not even North Korea is currently testing nuclear weapons. The U.S. military already has advanced technology to assess its nuclear capability without detonating bombs. If we start testing again, others will follow and that’s not a good direction for the world.”
He emphasized that the move could undo decades of global non-proliferation efforts and reignite geopolitical tensions that have been dormant since the Cold War.
Adding to the criticism, journalist James Ball from The New World argued that Trump’s “unchecked delusions” are making the situation even more dangerous. In an article for i News, Ball wrote that once a new arms race begins, it will be far harder to stop than it was for Trump to start.
“Trump’s exaggerations were once dismissed as bluster,” Ball noted. “But as his inner circle continues to indulge him instead of challenging his decisions, his actions grow increasingly reckless.”
Despite growing backlash, Trump defended his decision, claiming it was necessary to keep the U.S. “competitive” against Russia and China, both of whom he accuses of conducting secret nuclear tests.
Speaking after a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping aboard Air Force One, Trump said:
“With others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also.”
His comments come just 100 days before the expiration of the New START Treaty the last major nuclear arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia. The treaty, which limits each nation to 1,550 nuclear warheads, is set to lapse in February 2026, raising fears of a renewed nuclear escalation if no extension is reached.
As relations between Washington and Moscow remain strained, experts warn that Trump’s decision could mark the beginning of a volatile new nuclear era, threatening decades of diplomatic progress and global stability.
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