ABSTRACT
There has been much discussion of the dangers to international security posed by cyber weapons, space weapons, drones and artificial intelligence, but even hypothetical solutions are largely absent. Suspicions surrounding Russian and Chinese activities are not necessarily new. The US itself has reportedly considered conducting its first nuclear explosion since September 1992. Because the CTBT has not yet entered into force, concepts such as ‘compliance’ and ‘violation’ must be used carefully. The basic obligation the CTBT imposes on adherents is to not conduct any ‘nuclear explosion’. Russian responses to the US accusations have been consistent and categorical, but not specific enough to allay suspicions. It is clear that any resolution of the CTBT impasse will be very difficult to achieve unless the US provides some explanation for its charges and Russia provides more information regarding its activities at Novaya Zemlya.
