June 17, 2025 — Nuclear energy has reemerged as a pivotal issue in global politics, driven by rising energy demands, climate goals, and geopolitical tensions. Recent developments across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East underscore the complex interplay of policy, technology, and international relations shaping the nuclear renaissance.
In the United States, President Donald Trump has championed nuclear power as a cornerstone of energy dominance and technological leadership. On May 23, 2025, Trump signed four executive orders aimed at accelerating nuclear reactor development, streamlining regulations, and expanding uranium mining and enrichment. These directives seek to boost U.S. nuclear capacity from 100 gigawatts to 400 gigawatts by 2050, with a focus on advanced technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors. The orders also allow the Departments of Energy and Defense to build reactors on federal lands, partly to power AI data centers, which are straining electricity grids. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum hailed the move as a response to “overregulation,” while critics raised concerns about proposals to lower radiation exposure safety limits.
Bipartisan support for nuclear energy is growing, particularly as AI’s energy demands highlight the need for reliable, low-carbon power. On June 13, a House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee hearing explored ways to speed up reactor construction, with GOP lawmakers emphasizing nuclear and fossil fuels over renewables. Representative Brian Babin (R-Texas) declared “the market is ready” for a nuclear revival. Meanwhile, tech giants like Meta have inked deals with nuclear providers, such as a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to power data centers from the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, signaling corporate confidence in nuclear’s longevity.
Across the Atlantic, nuclear policy is also shifting. The World Bank’s historic decision on June 11 to lift its decades-long ban on funding nuclear projects marks a seismic change, potentially unlocking billions for developing nations like Ghana, which has pursued nuclear ambitions since the 1960s. The move, backed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, aims to counter Russian and Chinese influence in global nuclear markets while supporting emissions-free energy. Germany, once a nuclear skeptic post-Fukushima, is now reconsidering small next-generation reactors under its new Christian Democratic Union-led government.
In the UK, the government committed £14.2 billion ($19 billion) to the Sizewell C nuclear plant on June 10, projecting 10,000 jobs and power for six million homes by the mid-2030s. Prime Minister Keir Starmer framed the investment as a bulwark against energy price volatility, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a reminder of the need for energy independence. However, Scotland’s Scottish National Party (SNP) maintains its ban on new nuclear plants, prioritizing renewables, a stance criticized by UK officials and industry leaders as “wrongheaded.”
Geopolitical tensions are complicating the nuclear landscape, particularly in the Middle East. On June 12, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) censured Iran for non-compliance with nuclear obligations, its first such rebuke in 20 years. Iran responded by announcing a new uranium enrichment facility and upgrading centrifuges at its Fordow site, escalating tensions amid fears of Israeli military strikes. Satellite imagery confirmed damage to Iran’s Natanz facility following Israeli attacks, with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warning of potential radiological contamination. Russia, a key player in Iran’s Bushehr plant, cautioned against further escalation, calling the situation “extremely dangerous.” U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, mediated by Oman, have faltered, with Tehran dismissing Washington’s latest proposal as “incoherent.”
The European Union, meanwhile, is grappling with its reliance on Russian uranium. On June 16, Brussels outlined plans to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports but delayed measures to end nuclear fuel dependencies, highlighting the bloc’s energy security dilemmas.
Public sentiment is also evolving. In the U.S., support for nuclear energy rose 18 points between 2019 and 2024, with nearly 80% of Gen Z and first-time voters backing next-generation reactors. Posts on X reflect enthusiasm for nuclear’s safety and reliability, with some users decrying phase-outs like Germany’s as environmentally counterproductive. However, skepticism persists, with critics citing high costs and long construction timelines.
As nations balance energy needs, climate commitments, and strategic interests, nuclear power’s political resurgence reflects both opportunity and risk. While technological advances and policy shifts signal a potential boom, unresolved geopolitical conflicts and regulatory hurdles could temper progress. The coming years will test whether this nuclear moment translates into a sustainable energy future.
