The Long Shadow : Nuclear weapons and security in 21st century Asia

The Long Shadow is the first comprehensive examination of the roles and implications of nuclear weapons in the post-Cold War security environment, focusing on a broadly defined Asian security region. It investigates the strategies for the employment of nuclear weapons, and the consequences for security and stability in a dramatically altered strategic landscape, and a substantially different nuclear environment. The canvas of study includes the six nuclear weapon statesChina, India, Israel, Pakistan, Russia, and the US; several nuclear weapon-capable statesJapan, South Korea, and Taiwan; and the aspirantsIran and North Korea. A key conclusion of the study is that nuclear weapons influence national security strategies in fundamental ways; and that deterrence continues to be the dominant role and strategy for the employment of nuclear weapons. It further infers that although there could be destabilizing situations, on balance nuclear weapons have reinforced security and stability in the Asian security region. As nuclear weapons will persist in the foreseeable future, it is important to re-examine 'old' ideas, concepts, and strategies, and develop 'new' ones relevant for the contemporary era. In line with this, the global nuclear order should be constructed anew based on present realities.…