Striking Asymmetries: Nuclear Transitions in Southern Asia

Abstract: Even as the world has focused managing the troublesome nuclear weapons programs in North Korea and Iran, the nuclear arsenals in Southern Asia—in China, India, and Pakistan—have undergone a profound transformation. These transformations are visible both in their nuclear doctrines as well in the diverse capabilities that have been developed—and are still being developed—in support of what are many troubling turns in their respective nuclear postures. Ashley J. Tellis' recent book, Striking Asymmetries: Nuclear Transitions in Southern Asia (Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2022), examines these transitions in great detail. His talk, centered on an exploration of the conspicuous asymmetries characterizing the nuclear weapons programs of the three countries, will describe these multifaceted transitions and explore their implications for strategic stability within the region and beyond.

Bio: Dr. Ashley J. Tellis holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, specializing in international security and U.S. foreign and defense policy with a special focus on Asia and the Indian subcontinent. While on assignment to the U.S. Department of State as senior adviser to the undersecretary of State for political affairs, he was intimately involved in negotiating the civil nuclear agreement with India. Previously he was commissioned into the Foreign Service and served as senior adviser to the ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. He also served on the National Security Council staff as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia.