President Donald Trump’s recent decision to restart nuclear testing has faced strong criticism from a former Navy officer, who labeled the move as “nonsensical.” Anthony Cowden, a retired naval officer with 37 years of service, expressed concerns about the potential repercussions of resuming nuclear testing, emphasizing that it could trigger a dangerous chain reaction among other nations, potentially reigniting the nuclear arms race.

Cowden highlighted that the rationale behind the decision seemed unfounded, as no other country, not even North Korea, is actively conducting nuclear tests. He argued that the U.S. military possesses alternative methods to test nuclear weapons effectively without the need for actual detonations. Moreover, he cautioned that if the U.S. proceeds with unilateral testing, it could prompt other countries to follow suit, leading to further instability in global security.

Critics, including Anthony from Stari Consulting, have condemned Trump’s decision, with some pointing out the alarming consequences of unchecked actions driven by the President’s beliefs. The concerns were echoed by James Ball in The New World, who emphasized the dangerous trajectory that could unfold if a new arms race were to ensue.

In response to the backlash, Trump defended his decision by citing the need for the U.S. to keep up with nuclear developments in countries like Russia and China. He justified the resumption of testing as a response to the activities of other nations in this domain.

The timing of Trump’s announcement, just months before the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in 2026, adds further complexity to the situation. As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Russia following the collapse of a planned summit, there are growing fears that the treaty may not be renewed, potentially ushering in a more volatile era in nuclear relations between the two Cold War adversaries.