Nuclear Weapons Reinforce Security and Stability in 21 st Century Asia (original) (raw)

Reinforcing national security and regional stability : the implications of nuclear weapons and strategies

2008

Another major conclusion of this study is that although nuclear weapons could have destabilizing consequences in certain situations, on net they have reinforced national security and regional stability in Asia. It is possible to argue that fledgling and small nuclear arsenals would be more vulnerable to preventive attacks; that the related strategic compulsion for early use may lead to early launch postures and crisis situations; that limited war under nuclear conditions to alter or restore the political status quo can intensify tensions and carry the risk of escalation to major war; that inadequate command, control, and safety measures could result in accidents; and that nuclear facilities and material may be vulnerable to terrorist attacks. These are legitimate concerns, but thus far nuclear weapons have not undermined national security and regional stability in Asia. Instead, they have ameliorated national security concerns, strengthened the status quo, increased deterrence domin...

Chapter 3. Role of Nuclear Weapons in South Asia: Policy, Technologies, Doctrines

The volume provides IMEMO contributions to the Russian edition of the 2012 SIPRI Yearbook: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security. The contributors address issues involving transition to multilateral nuclear disarmament (engaging ‘third’ nuclear weapons states in nuclear arms negotiations; frameworks of multilateral nuclear disarmament; a possible basis of practical negotiations; BMD developments and their implications for strategic stability). This year’s edition also highlights problems of limiting international trade in small arms and light weapons; the status of the European conventional arms control regime and ways leading to meaningful conventional arms limitation arrangements in Europe; military posture of post-Soviet Central Asian states and regional security challenges.

Reducing the Role of Nuclear Weapons in North East Asia

2018

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Nuclear Weapons and Strategic Security in South Asia

2011

In the new issue of the Carnegie Moscow Center's Working Papers series, Peter Topychkanov analyzes South Asian regional strategic security issues, the role of nuclear weapons in Indo-Pakistani relations, the external and internal factors shaping these countries’ nuclear postures, and security-enhancing efforts emanating from inside and outside the region. Topychkanov describes the strategic security situation in South Asia as rather unstable. Among the issues are: a high risk of conflict between India and Pakistan caused by cross-border terrorism, accidents with nuclear weapons in both states, the Kashmir dispute, and the problem of sharing water from the Indus river. Major efforts to enhance regional security must be made by India and Pakistan. The author also argues that third countries, international organizations, and nonproliferation regimes can play a positive role as well. According to Topychkanov, both nuclear optimists and pessimists agree that nuclear weapons proliferation in South Asia will not lead to a deliberate outbreak of large-scale war. Neither Indian nor Pakistani leaders wish to initiate a conflict that could end in a nuclear exchange with disastrous consequences. Still, a catastrophic conflict could occur even though neither the Indians nor the Pakistanis intend to start a nuclear war, and all measures must be taken to prevent it. The author concludes that India and Pakistan should be engaged in nonproliferation regimes on a nondiscriminatory basis (IAEA, NSG, MTCR, etc.). Engagement would be in the interest of India and Pakistan and would set a good example for the nuclear threshold states. The incentives of nuclear cooperation must be made conditional on acceptance of NPT commitments and IAEA safeguards by recipient states.

21st Century Nuclear Proliferation in Asia and the Politics of World Security: The Complexity of Security Dilemma in East and South Asia

2017

Nuclear proliferation has been the cynosure of international debate since it was first tested during the early period of the Cold War. Of major concern is how Asia is gradually becoming a nuclear weapon zone. Many of its populous nations such as China, India, Pakistan, Japan, (and North-Korea) have sought to obtain nuclear weapons for security and status. Interestingly, the more these states seek to concretize their security through nuclear proliferation, the more they create security dilemma which in turn further exacerbates its wanton spread. Giving the geopolitical, geoeconomic and social interests of great and emerging powers in the region, such security threat has incalculable repercussions – balance of power competition; (new) alliance formation; regime survival. The study investigates the wanton desire for nuclear possession among Asian states in the 21st century as means of balancing against both regional and global threats as well as strengthening regimes in power amidst th...

M o r g a n e F a r g h e n From proliferation to arms race Nuclear challenges in Asia

If there is a region in the world where the 21st Century will be defined, it is Asia. When the rise of powers meets with old rivalries, competition for regional leadership and pending territorial disputes, the risk of conflict resurfaces and the balance of powers shifts. With changes come new trends, and with new trends come new dynamics. The nuclear realm is one of those where the changes are the most significant, the future the most uncertain, and where ongoing evolutions warrant the most scrutiny. What are these evolutions' main characteristics and what are their consequences for security, deterrence, non-proliferation and disarmament? Five major trends are currently shaping the strategic landscape and one of them has the potential for global ramifications: the advent of a regional arms race.