Nuclear weapons • Table.Briefings

February 18th, 2026

After US allegations: China denies purported nuclear tests

The United States accuses China of having carried out a banned nuclear weapons test in 2020. Beijing rejects the allegations as political manipulation.

By Leonardo Pape

News | Nuclear weapons

February 5th, 2026

Nuclear weapons: China rejects disarmament negotiations for the time being

China refuses to participate in nuclear disarmament negotiations as long as its nuclear arsenal is not comparable to that of the USA and Russia. However, following the expiry of the US-Russian arms control treaty New START, Beijing is calling on Washington to hold new talks on strategic stability.

By Leonardo Pape

Feature | Nuclear weapons

January 21st, 2026

Nuclear weapons: How European nuclear powers are intensifying their cooperation

The US provides nuclear weapons through sharing arrangements that neither France nor the UK could currently replace. However, due to Trump’s confrontational approach, Berlin, London and Paris are now collaborating more closely in this area.

By Gabriel Bub

Talk of the Town | Nuclear weapons

December 17th, 2025

‘Overtime’ for nuclear weapons: How China is expanding its nuclear forces

The United States and Russia possess by far the world’s largest nuclear arsenals. But no country is expanding its stockpile faster than China – according to Washington, partly to deter intervention in a potential conflict over Taiwan. Beijing, meanwhile, argues that responsibility for disarmament lies primarily with the largest nuclear powers.

By Andreas Landwehr

Land-based DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missiles of the nuclear missile formation attends the V-Day military at Tian anmen Square during on September 3, 2025 in Beijing, China.

News | Armor

November 27th, 2025

Arms control: China presents itself as a responsible player in white paper

In a new white paper, China presents itself as a driving force for arms control and disarmament. The white paper does not contain any commitments to restrictions on specific weapons systems.

By Leonardo Pape

Oran aufsteigender Atompilz über dem US-Testgelände in Nevada am 24. Juni 1957.

Feature | Nuclear weapons

November 14th, 2025

Nuclear weapons: China would be the big winner of new tests

It is still unclear whether US President Trump and Russia’s head of state Vladimir Putin will go ahead with preparations for new nuclear tests. Experts doubt this and warn that Beijing, in particular, would benefit from the end of the test moratorium.

By Nana Brink and Viktor Funk

Opinion | Nato

November 3rd, 2025

DGAP expert Kamp: NATO needs a new nuclear strategy

Karl-Heinz Kamp, Associate Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), calls for a modern nuclear strategy for NATO and the regular practice of procedures in the event of a nuclear escalation.

By Karl-Heinz Kamp

Feature | Nuclear weapons

October 30th, 2025

Nuclear tests: Why Trump's announcement could be the start of a new arms race

China has called on the USA to comply with the nuclear test moratorium. The background to this is US President Donald Trump's order to resume nuclear weapons tests. At the same time, China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country. Experts fear the start of a new nuclear arms race.

By Lisa-Martina Klein and Fabian Peltsch