Reintroduce nuclear weapons to the Pacific to reduce the chances of war with China
By reintroducing US theater nuclear forces first in South Korea, and then more gradually in Japan, Washington can reassure its anxious allies and bolster its own national security interests, argue Kyle Balzer and Robert Peters.
The increasing assertiveness of China in the Indo-Pacific, coupled with anxieties among US allies, is driving calls for a more robust deterrence posture.
Re-introducing tactical nuclear weapons to the Pacific would fundamentally alter the regional security architecture and raise the stakes in any conflict scenario.
The proposed re-introduction would shift regional deterrence strategies, increase nuclear proliferation concerns, and potentially accelerate an arms race.
- · US defense industry
- · Nuclear-armed states seeking to deter regional rivals
- · US allies seeking stronger security guarantees
- · China
- · Non-proliferation advocates
- · Regional stability
Increased tensions and military buildups in the Indo-Pacific region.
Other regional powers might pursue their own nuclear weapons programs to counter the perceived threat.
Escalation of any conventional conflict in the region carries a higher risk of nuclear use.
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