US says China has tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic weapon

Synopsis

General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirms growing American concerns about China's recent test of a nuclear-capable hypersonic weapon. Speaking to Bloomberg, Milley describes the test as a significant event, likening it to a potential 'Sputnik moment' for the U.S., which recalls the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957 that heightened American fears of falling behind in the nuclear arms race. The Pentagon acknowledges Milley's remarks but refrains from further comment, emphasizing that the U.S. is actively developing its own hypersonic capabilities. Bradley Bowman, Senior Director at the Center on Military and Political Power, highlights the need for the U.S. to modernize its nuclear triad in light of these developments, while also noting that China already possesses the capability for a massive nuclear attack against the American homeland. This situation raises serious concerns about national security and the balance of power.