On the Brink of a U.S.-China Nuclear Arms Race

February 17, 2016 Topic: Security Region: Asia Tags: DefenseNorth KoreaChinaTechnologyNuclear Weapons

On the Brink of a U.S.-China Nuclear Arms Race

Washington and Beijing are divided over ballistic missile defenses and hypersonic weapons.

Track II diplomacy dialogues have paved the way for official conversations. Hence, it is time for both China and the United States to come to the negotiating table, save themselves from expensive technologies whose feasibility and effectiveness in real conflict environments is highly questionable and prevent a further deterioration of their strategic relationship. It will take time, effort and skills, so the sooner the talks start, the better.

Eleni G. Ekmektsioglou is pursuing her PhD at American University’s School of International Service. Her research focuses on the impact of military innovation on nuclear posturing and crisis management.

Virginia Marantidou is Program Coordinator, Asia program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States and a non-resident WSD-Handa fellow with Pacific Forum, CSIS.

Image: Wikimedia Commons/Voice of America