South Asia Arms Race – Is It Paranoia?

A report released by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) claims that Pakistan is developing a reactor capable of producing enough plutonium to make up to 50 nuclear weapons per year. With its release timed perhaps to derail the deal for the US to sell civilian nuclear technology to India, the report has not swayed US support for the deal. The Bush administration remains committed, consistently arguing that the deal will not be a catalyst for a nuclear arms race in South Asia. In more strategic terms, the White House wants to build lasting cooperation with the “biggest democracy in the world” while ensuring that Pakistan, as the only Muslim country with nuclear weapons, remains committed to the war on terror. Any ISIS revelations will have little impact on US long-term goals for South Asia. – YaleGlobal