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Understanding the Arms "Race" in South Asia

IN THIS ISSUE: Understanding the arms "race" in South Asia, IAEA censures Iran over atom bomb concerns, report criticizes US missile-defense system, Japan to aim for nuclear phaseout in 2030s, no German pledge on nuclear-capable aircraft modernization, official nominated for arms control post.

Published on September 13, 2012
 

Understanding the Arms "Race" in South Asia

Toby Dalton and Jaclyn Tandler | Carnegie Paper

Agni VI

The apparently rapid pace of nuclear developments in India and Pakistan has led many analysts to warn of an impending arms race between the two countries. India and Pakistan are indeed entangled in a long-standing security competition.

However, they are not two closely matched opponents engaged in a competitive tit-for-tat cycle of nuclear weapons development in which one state makes advancements to its nuclear capability and the other reacts in kind. An analysis of aggregated missile test data since 1998 reveals that the armament dynamic is far more complex.   Full Article



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Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.