ABSTRACT
Most analyses of nuclear proliferation focus on a single country, or on a series of individual countries, with an emphasis on analyzing the capabilities and incentives or disincentives for the individual country to obtain nuclear weapons. The United States displayed renewed determination to inhibit nuclear proliferation. Nuclear weaponry would make conflicts far more volatile because fears of disarming strikes would create pressures to preempt the opponent. Non-nuclear powers usually are not nuclear targets, but nuclear powers always are. A conventionally-armed India will dominate South Asia, but a nuclear India will face a nuclear Pakistan and will therefore have to fear Pakistan. The Indian example proves that poor and politically unstable countries can achieve nuclear capability. Virtually without exception, commentators on the prospects for nuclear proliferation in Eastern Asia begin with Japan as the focus of interest. The United States and the Soviet Union display great faith in nuclear weapons.
