Growing up in the United States at the end of the Cold War, there was always a sense of fear about a potential war with Russia and the threat of nuclear war.
Russians were portrayed as villains in our movies, and the fear of mushroom clouds was a constant presence in our dreams.
Now, a new version of these anxieties is emerging for many of us, with security analysts and officials warning of an increased risk of nuclear weapons being used, particularly with North Korea’s claims of developing nuclear warheads and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
China is also expanding its nuclear arsenal, leading to concerns about another era of brinkmanship between major powers with cataclysmic weapons.
China’s military strategists are now looking at nuclear weapons as a potential sword to intimidate and subjugate adversaries, while the United States is modernizing and bolstering its own nuclear capabilities.
The situation has led to discussions in the Asia-Pacific region about developing nuclear weapons, with some officials in South Korea considering the idea, despite opposition from the United States.
Australia has strengthened its bond with the United States through the AUKUS security deal, which will bring American nuclear-propelled submarines to Western Australian ports.
However, there is also a renewed push by some former officials in Australia to bring Beijing and Washington together and seek to de-escalate tensions.
Gareth Evans and Bob Carr recently gathered signatures for an open letter calling on Australia to support the goal of détente between the United States and China to avert great power conflict and secure lasting peace.
Neither China nor the United States has responded to the letter, but there is hope that it will influence Australia’s current Labor government and public opinion.
2024-02-08 22:25:11
Article from www.nytimes.com