Is the world entering a new age of nuclear testing?
President Trump says US nuclear tests will take place "pretty soon"
An episode of the The Global Story podcast, hosted by BBC World Service, titled "Is the world entering a new age of nuclear testing?" was published on November 17, 2025 and runs 27 minutes.
November 17, 2025 ·27m · The Global Story
Summary
In the last 72 hours, comments from President Trump and his administration have sparked fresh debate about whether the US could – or should – resume the kind of nuclear weapons tests that were halted over 30 years ago.The current debate centres on whether Trump plans to test nuclear delivery systems, such as missiles, or nuclear warheads. The latter would be a major reversal of a long-standing policy, as the US has not tested a nuclear warhead since 1992, but it’s unclear what the plans involve.Today, Tristan speaks to Serhii Plokhy, a history professor at Harvard and author of The Nuclear Age, about what it would mean to return to an era of nuclear testing.Producers: Viv Jones, Xandra Ellin, Aron KellerExecutive producer: James ShieldMix: Travis EvansSenior news editor: China CollinsPhoto: Mushroom cloud rises during Operation Crossroads nuclear weapons test. Reuters
Episode Description
In the last 72 hours, comments from President Trump and his administration have sparked fresh debate about whether the US could – or should – resume the kind of nuclear weapons tests that were halted over 30 years ago.
The current debate centres on whether Trump plans to test nuclear delivery systems, such as missiles, or nuclear warheads. The latter would be a major reversal of a long-standing policy, as the US has not tested a nuclear warhead since 1992, but it’s unclear what the plans involve.
Today, Tristan speaks to Serhii Plokhy, a history professor at Harvard and author of The Nuclear Age, about what it would mean to return to an era of nuclear testing.
Producers: Viv Jones, Xandra Ellin, Aron Keller
Executive producer: James Shield
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins
Photo: Mushroom cloud rises during Operation Crossroads nuclear weapons test. Reuters
Similar Episodes
Apr 4, 2026 ·60m
Mar 28, 2026 ·60m