Donald Trump’s recent nuclear energy deal with Saudi Arabia is drawing sharp scrutiny from scientists and diplomats. On July 23, he approved an agreement to assist the kingdom in building a civilian nuclear program over the next 30 years. The move has alarmed experts who say such programs can easily shift toward weapons development without tight international oversight. Saudi Arabia has long insisted on the right to enrich its own uranium, a practice the U.S. historically resisted but now seems to be relaxing under this new pact.
Hiroshima Day marks 81 years of nuclear history
August 6 marks the 81st anniversary of the first atomic bomb’s use in Hiroshima. The event remains a symbol of the devastating power of nuclear weapons. Scholars still debate whether the U.S. used the bomb primarily to end the war quickly or to send a warning to the Soviet Union. That question lingers as nations today consider their own nuclear capabilities, with some moving closer to developing their own bombs. Many experts question if the bombings were truly necessary to end the war, as alternative options were available.
In Chicago, a Hiroshima Day ceremony will take place from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Jackson Park’s Osaka Garden. The event, called Toro Nagashi, is a traditional Japanese Buddhist lantern lighting. It honors the dead and reflects hopes for a more peaceful future. The park itself holds a special connection to nuclear history: it was there, in an abandoned football stadium, that scientists first created a controlled nuclear chain reaction in 1942 — a key step in developing the bomb. This experiment was a critical moment in the development of nuclear technology during World War II.
Concerns over Trump’s nuclear expansion
Trump’s new nuclear energy pact with Saudi Arabia is just the latest in a string of deals. The U.S. already has similar agreements with 26 other countries, and Trump has pushed for more. Last year, he signed another deal with South Korea. These agreements could provide a pathway to developing weapons. Without strong safeguards, countries with growing nuclear programs may one day enrich uranium or reprocess spent fuel — steps that can lead to building bombs. Trump’s aggressive pursuit of nuclear deals has raised concerns that the U.S. is failing to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
François Diaz-Maurin, a researcher at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, warned that the Trump administration’s push for nuclear deals has lowered the bar for proliferation. “The U.S.-Saudi agreement comes from an administration that doesn’t seem to worry about the spread of uranium enrichment,” he wrote. The Westinghouse company, part of the U.S. military-industrial complex, is expected to play a major role in delivering nuclear infrastructure to Saudi Arabia. influence in the global nuclear energy sector.
The deal with Saudi Arabia is especially sensitive because of the kingdom’s political climate and its leadership under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Yet the Trump administration has chosen to move forward, prioritizing economic and energy interests over geopolitical caution. The kingdom has been linked to numerous human rights abuses and regional conflicts, adding to concerns about the implications of providing it with advanced nuclear technology.
In Hiroshima, a separate ceremony will honor the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing. The event is held at the “Atomic Bomb Dome,” the ruins of a former exhibition hall just steps from the epicenter of the blast. Yet as Trump’s new nuclear agreements spark controversy, the ghosts of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are more present than ever.
The Hiroshima Day commemoration in Chicago will feature speeches from prominent figures, including Alexandra Bell, president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and Dr. Members of Chicago’s Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple will lead the rite, bringing a spiritual dimension to the event. The ceremony will be limited to 300 attendees and is already full, highlighting the community’s interest in remembering those affected by the bombings.
The Toro Nagashi ceremony is a traditional Buddhist event that symbolizes the release of spirits of the deceased into the afterlife. Lanterns are floated on water to honor those who have passed away. In the context of Hiroshima Day, the ceremony takes on added significance, as it reflects hopes for peace and the prevention of future nuclear tragedies. The event is a family-oriented affair, allowing both intimate and large-scale remembrance.
Dr. Enrico Fermi, the leader of the Chicago scientific team that achieved the first controlled nuclear chain reaction, wrote in a later article for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission that the team focused on harnessing atomic energy for “the objective of producing an effective weapon.” However, he also expressed hope that after the war, the emphasis would shift to peaceful uses. That hope was ultimately unfulfilled. Instead, nuclear energy has remained closely tied to weapons development, with many countries using their energy programs as a stepping stone to building bombs.
The U.S. has been pushing for more nuclear energy development deals, with Trump specifically aiming to sign at least 20 new agreements by 2025. The administration’s approach has raised eyebrows among experts who fear the implications for global security. Diaz-Maurin argued that the U.S. is sending the wrong message by engaging in such deals without clear oversight mechanisms in place. The potential for these programs to lead to weapons proliferation remains high, especially in regions where nuclear oversight is weak.
