South Asia
In 2013, the Stimson Center's South Asia programming has four key elements: reducing nuclear dangers and increasing deterrence stability on the subcontinent; analyzing crisis management in the United States, India and Pakistan; promoting confidence-building and nuclear risk-reduction measures; and nurturing talent in a rising generation of strategic analysts.
India and Pakistan are building up their nuclear weapon capabilities with newer versions of land-based ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and short-range nuclear capable delivery vehicles. Both appear to be moving toward triads of land- and, sea-based, as well as aircraft-delivered weapons. While there are signs of diplomatic rapprochement, progress has been slow, and spoilers will try to stymie any thaw. Moreover, it is hard to improve bilateral relations when one or both countries have weak governments. Pakistan's domestic challenges are particularly great. Under these circumstances, all of Stimson's programming initiatives have significant relevance. Read more
Research News
David Smith on Tactical Nuclear Weapons in South AsiaThe Stimson Center is releasing today an essay by David Smith entitled "The US Experience with Tactical Nuclear Weapons: Lessons for South Asia." Smith served twice as the US Army Attaché to Pakistan, and is now an independent consultant.
After testing nuclear weapons in 1998, Pakistan and India announced nuclear postures of "credible minimum deterrence." Over the past decade,
… Read More »Current Research
-
Deterrence Stability and Reducing Nuclear Dangers in South Asia
India and Pakistan are the only two states possessing nuclear weapons that used to fire upon each other's forces on a routine basis. These firefights along the Line of Control dividing Kashmir had severe escalatory potential. After Pakistani forces and militants occupied the heights overlooking Kargil in 1999, India and Pakistan fought a brief, intense military clash that was
… Read More » -
Crisis Management in South Asia
Since acquiring nuclear weapon capabilities, India and Pakistan have been beset by a series of crises triggered by large-scale military exercises, a major initiative by Pakistani military leaders to seize territory across the Line of Control dividing Kashmir, and mass casualty acts of terrorism on Indian soil carried out by individuals affiliated with and trained by extremist
… Read More » -
Confidence-Building and Nuclear Risk-Reduction Measures in South Asia
Nuclear dangers grew on the subcontinent after India and Pakistan tested nuclear devices in 1998. Nuclear deterrence theorists have a term for this phenomenon: the "stability-instability paradox." In this concept, nuclear weapons provide a measure of stability against a central strategic exchange or an all-out conventional war, but they also prompt tensions at lower
… Read More » -
A Rising Generation of Strategic Analysts in Pakistan and India
Stimson has had a longstanding interest in nurturing talent and in networking a rising generation of strategic analysts in Pakistan and India. Our two core programming elements are sponsoring workshops on issues related to deterrence stability and nuclear risk reduction; and hosting a Visiting Fellows program. Stimson will re-launch its joint Indian-Pakistani Visiting
… Read More » -
The Unfinished Crisis: US Crisis Management after the 2008 Mumbai Attacks
This case study is the first detailed account of US crisis management after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, one that will no doubt be amplified by future first-person accounts and the release of additional details. We conclude that this crisis is both unresolved and unfinished, as our title suggests, and that further attacks in India by militants trained in Pakistan are likely.
… Read More »
Experts
-
Michael Krepon Co-Founder/Senior Associate
Staff
- Julia Thompson Research Associate