Eight-Year Nuclear Test Pause Sets Record, but Global Stability Remains Fragile
The world just marked the longest period since 1945 without a nuclear test—eight years, four months, and 11 days—signaling a historic pause in nuclear explosions. But experts warn the milestone is fragile: with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin talking of resuming testing and START treaty limits expiring, momentum toward renewed tests could rise. Since 1945, about 2,055 tests have been conducted by eight nations, led by the United States, and while most testing halted in the 1990s, North Korea's 2017 test remains the latest. Some scientists note sub‑critical tests could continue without an explosion, complicating deterrence and accountability, while the CTBT remains unsigned by the U.S., leaving strategic risk unresolved.
