The book, Nuclear Deterrence in South Asia: New Technologies and Challenges to Sustainable Peace, addresses an issue that is of vital importance to Pakistan and South Asia. It looks at nuclear deterrence in South Asia. The central argument of the book is that South Asia is embroiled in systemic security dilemma. It rests on the main pillars of neorealist argument ─ anarchy, fear and uncertainty. The core argument of the book is that the evolving technologies and competing strategies in South Asia make peace fragile and war more likely. The authors have argued that the strategic pattern of security dilemma is emanating from a broader systemic security dilemma between the US and China in Asia. The authors have set the security dynamics of South Asia in a larger context where the US sees China as a threat and is building up a strategic partnership with India in order to counter balance China’s influence while Pakistan is moving closer to China to counter balance India. This increases uncertainty, mistrust between India and Pakistan, moving the two nuclear armed states into yet more crises and military conflicts.
