“Now I Am Become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds” — Oppenheimer’s Words Echo Again
July 16, 1945. The day the first atomic bomb was tested, J. Robert Oppenheimer — known as the father of the nuclear bomb — uttered a line that would haunt humanity forever:
“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”
Today, more than seven decades later, those words have once again become the center of global discussion. The reason — Donald Trump has announced that the United States will resume nuclear testing after 33 years.
The Button That Can Destroy Cities
For decades, the “nuclear button” — the one said to be carried near every U.S. President in a football-shaped bag — has remained untouched. It holds the power to turn cities into ashes within seconds.
But now, Trump has decided to bring it back into play, saying that America cannot afford to fall behind as Russia and China continue rapid nuclear tests. He made this announcement just before his much-awaited meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Who Holds the Nuclear Button?
As of now, eight countries officially possess nuclear weapons:
- Russia – 5,449 warheads
- United States – 5,170
- China – 600
- France – 290
- Britain – 225
- India – 180
- Pakistan – 170
- North Korea – 50
Israel is also believed to hold around 90 nuclear warheads, though it has never officially confirmed this.
Trump’s Shocking Announcement
Trump’s post on Truth Social reversed a 30-year-old U.S. policy. He claimed that America has the “most powerful nuclear weapons in the world” but hasn’t tested them in decades.
The last U.S. nuclear test – codenamed Divider – took place on September 23, 1992, in Nevada. It was the country’s 1,054th test. After that, President George H.W. Bush banned further testing, signaling the end of the Cold War era.
Read Also: EPFO Update: Soon You Can Withdraw PF Money from ATMs — Know When the Service Starts
Trump now argues that it’s time to restart. Reports indicate that the Nevada Test Site remains in standby mode, ready to be reactivated at any moment.
The Russian Connection
Just days before Trump’s statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared on national TV and announced that Russia had successfully tested a nuclear-powered missile, called Burevestnik — a cruise missile with unlimited range.
Putin described it as a “unique invention” unmatched by any other country.
In response, Trump warned that such developments are dangerous and claimed that the U.S. already has nuclear submarines positioned near Russia.This test reignited fears of a new Cold War-style arms race.
How It All Began
The nuclear race traces back to World War II, when the U.S started the Manhattan Project under Oppenheimer to counter Nazi Germany nuclear ambitions.
The first test, Trinity, was conducted in New Mexico on July 16, 1945. Soon after, the U.S. dropped bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing over 200,000 people and ending the war.
But peace didn’t last long. The Soviet Union tested its bomb in 1949, followed by China (1964), India (1974), and Pakistan (1998).
Now, as Trump and Putin return to nuclear rhetoric, the world fears history may repeat itself.
The Last Treaty Is About to Expire
The New START Treaty — the last remaining arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia — expires in February 2026.
This treaty limits both nations to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and allows mutual inspections. Once it expires, there will be no formal barriers preventing a full-scale arms race.
During the Cold War, peace was maintained through Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) — the idea that if one side launched a nuclear attack, both would be destroyed. That fragile balance may now be breaking.
U.S.–China Meeting Amid Tensions
Amid rising tensions, Trump met with Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea — their first meeting in six years.
They discussed trade, rare earth minerals, and soybean exports. Trump later called the meeting a “great success,” claiming that China agreed to continue supplying rare earth minerals to the U.S. for at least another year.
Domestic Policy Twist
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a new rule ending automatic extensions of foreign work permits a move expected to affect thousands of Indian IT professionals, healthcare workers, and engineers working in America.
What Lies Ahead?
With major powers resuming tests, treaties expiring, and leaders making bold statements the fear of a new nuclear arms race looms large.
As the world watches one question remains:
Will we once again see the shadow of the mushroom cloud rise into the sky?Or will humanity finally remember the lessons of Hiroshima & Nagasaki and choose peace over power?