The Bomb

"For too long we have avoided thinking seriously about nuclear weapons . . . If those closest to us are preparing for a darker nuclear future, we need to talk about how we might survive in it." BRENDAN TAYLOR

As anxieties intensify about the reliability of the United States as a partner, The Bomb examines the prospect of a nuclear arms race breaking out in Asia. Such a development would raise regional tensions to boiling point – and would leave countries such as Australia contemplating previously unthinkable options.

* Brendan Taylor surveys the outlook in Asia's potential next nuclear-armed powers, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia.
* Stephan Frühling & Andrew O'Neil ask whether and how Australia could access nuclear weapons, and if it should.
* Gareth Evans argues that Canberra must revive its commitment to leading the global effort for nuclear arms control.
* Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan analyses China's nuclear weapons expansion and the consequences for Australia.
* Gordon Noble & Nick Wood call for a new approach to climate investment in the Indo-Pacific.

PLUS Jennifer Parker on national security and Mark Harrison on Taiwan, and correspondence on AFA24: System Update from Olivia Shen, Marina Yue Zhang and Johanna Weaver & Zoe Jay Hawkins.