Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Although President Donald Trump has said he wants to get rid of nuclear weapons, the uncertainty he is creating over global alliances has made it likely more countries will consider them, nuclear weapons experts say.The risk is of a new wave of nuclear proliferation, with a larger number of nuclear powers increasing the chance of either intentional or accidental use of atomic weapons—if not World War III.”Many of the countries that earlier decided to forego the nuclear weapons option did so precisely because of the protection provided by the United States and alliances,” said Elena Sokova, executive director of the nonprofit Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation.”I’m first and most concerned about the developments among the United States and Europe, the traditional partners, but in the same way in Asia. Asia-Pacific is also feeling the pressure and also concerns about the reliability of the alliances.”Newsweek contacted the U.S. State Department for comment.Trump Seeks To Get Rid of Nuclear WeaponsTrump has said he wants denuclearization along with Russia and China, saying on Thursday “it would be great if everybody would get rid of their nuclear weapons.”But Europe has been shaken by the Trump administration’s approach to security, with countries openly questioning the future of the U.S.-dominated North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that they had seen as their main protection for decades.Not only has Trump become much closer to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and shown an apparent readiness for concessions to end the Ukraine war that European countries oppose, but his administration has also challenged them to increase their defense spending and appeared ready to reduce U.S. troop numbers in Europe. Then there have been his threats against Panama and his view that the United States should take over Greenland—if not make Canada the 51st state, too.
An Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test on Aug. 11, 2021, at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
An Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test on Aug. 11, 2021, at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Tiarra Sibley
Who Are U.S. Allies?U.S. allies such as Japan in South Korea in Asia and also those in the Middle East are watching closely and questioning how far they can count on American power to defend them.”You have discussion already in Europe and interest in nuclear options in countries like South Korea. I think most of them would hedge their bets and watch,” said Lukasz Kulesa, director of Proliferation and Nuclear Policy at Britain’s Royal United Services Institute think tank.”It’s not a decision any country would take lightly,” he said, adding: “Not on the basis of a turbulent couple of weeks with the Trump administration.”Which Countries Have Nuclear Weapons?For now, there are only nine states believed to be in possession of nuclear weapons, in order of number of warheads: Russia, the United States, China, France, Britain, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea.The data provided by the Federation of American Scientists think tank also counts retired warheads awaiting dismantlement.
Key to limiting nuclear proliferation since 1945 had been the U.S.’s “nuclear umbrella,” a promise to protect allies in exchange for them not to develop their own weapons, said Sharon Squassoni, a research professor at George Washington University who previously served in the U.S. government.”Faith in the United States is at an all-time low. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the worst chain of nuclear weapons proliferation since the 1940s in the midst of this chaos. And, of course, that would make the world a much more dangerous place,” she told Newsweek.Which Countries Might Get Nuclear Weapons?The most likely candidate to obtain nuclear weapons in the near future is Iran—although Trump has said he will not allow nuclear-armed Israel’s main adversary to obtain them and has ramped up pressure to try to force it into negotiations, while maintaining a military option.If Iran were to get nuclear weapons, that could put pressure on other regional players, including Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. The latter hosts U.S. nuclear weapons under a NATO agreement, but has also shown interest in its own weapons. That might become more likely if NATO frays ,given Türkiye’s historic rivalry with Russia as well.
In Europe, France has offered to extend its nuclear protection to other states and some have given an initially positive reception—while Russia called it “extremely confrontational.”Germany’s likely incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said he would speak to both France and Britain about extending nuclear protection. But in time, other countries—perhaps Germany itself—might feel the need if a credible European deterrent is not established quickly, experts say. At the least, France and Britain may need to upgrade their weapons.There is also uncertainty in East Asia, where South Korea and Japan have both lived under the U.S. nuclear umbrella.Legacy of Hiroshima and NagasakiPolls show a large majority of South Koreans favor developing an independent nuclear deterrent. Most Japanese do not, given the horrific history of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but that could change if the United States were no longer perceived as offering protection.Self-ruling Taiwan never acquired nuclear weapons, but did research them, and currently relies on the U.S. in the face of the invasion threat from China for what it regards as a breakaway province.
The Atomic Bomb Dome, which was the only structure left standing near to where the first atomic bomb used in war exploded on Aug. 6, 1945 in Hiroshima, seen on Dec. 9, 2024
The Atomic Bomb Dome, which was the only structure left standing near to where the first atomic bomb used in war exploded on Aug. 6, 1945 in Hiroshima, seen on Dec. 9, 2024
Matthew Tostevin
“It’s not a trivial program to launch and start. It’s an expensive endeavor,” said Sokova. “For some countries, they may want to have a nuclear weapons program, but either their technical capabilities or other factors would not be in favor.”How Are Nuclear Weapons Made?Acquiring, processing and enriching nuclear isotopes are easier for countries with established nuclear power capacities. Then come designing and building weapons and testing delivery systems—all under the eyes of potential adversaries to add to the challenges. The fact that North Korea, one of the world’s poorest countries, could develop nuclear weapons showed it could be possible for any state with the determination, however.There are agreements and institutions in place designed to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. Many countries take seriously their commitments under the U.N. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It has a safeguards system under the responsibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which verifies compliance.”There still are organizations and treaties, and, you know, a sense that the whole world hasn’t gone to hell in a hand basket,” said Squassoni. “But you know what, this is a very dangerous moment.”
Nuclear Warning Over Donald Trump
Nuclear Warning Over Donald Trump
Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty
