ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that most of the regional powers are more interested in providing internal security, warding off local threats, or extending their influence quite near by, and are disinclined to risk confrontations with major military powers. Problems associated with the cost and sophistication of advanced conventional weapons may cause some of the countries to consider the acquisition of chemical or biological weapons, or nuclear weapons as more potent substitutes. Trends in Third World military capabilities consist of efforts to acquire more advanced weapons and to modernize force structure. Technology diffusion makes proliferation more feasible, and non-proliferation therefore depends more heavily on the perceived liabilities or disincentives for deploying such weapons. A recurring issue of US foreign policy is how much to count on Third World regional powers to maintain regional stability, and where their interests coincide also to safeguard related US interests.
