The DSR Network
WAGD: Restarting Nuclear Weapon Testing and Other Bad Ideas from Trump’s Brain Trust with author Jeffrey Lewis
Aug 23, 2024
Jeffrey Lewis, a renowned nuclear expert and author, dives into the contentious proposal from former Trump officials to restart nuclear testing. He discusses the historical context of nuclear tests and their geopolitical implications. The conversation sheds light on the shift from physical tests to computer simulations and the complexities surrounding confidence in the reliability of nuclear weapons. Lewis also addresses the evolving global security landscape with advancements by rivals like China and Russia, challenging perceptions of U.S. deterrence.
24:39
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Quick takeaways
- Resuming nuclear testing would disadvantage the U.S. by providing valuable data to adversaries like China, undermining strategic advantages.
- The confidence in nuclear arsenal reliability relies more on understanding design processes than on the quantity of tests conducted.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Nuclear Testing
Nuclear testing has evolved significantly since its inception, starting in the late 1940s and early 1950s when the understanding of nuclear technologies was rudimentary. Initial testing, often conducted in the atmosphere, aimed to collect data and validate weapon designs, allowing scientists to better grasp nuclear mechanics. As time progressed, the U.S. and other nuclear powers transitioned to underground testing, which limited data gathering for adversaries and increased data accuracy for the testing nation. This culminated in a comprehensive halt of nuclear tests in the early 1990s, once sufficient data was acquired, establishing a new era in international nuclear policy.
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