The Atlantic Out Loud The Nuclearization of East Asia
Jul 9, 2025
As tensions rise with North Korea and China, countries like South Korea and Japan face a nuclear dilemma. Historical resentments linger, influencing their military strategies. The podcast dives into the unsettling possibility of nuclear armament as the global landscape shifts, questioning the reliability of international agreements. With the escalating nuclear capabilities of China and Russia, the conversation is urgent: what happens if proliferation dramatically increases in East Asia?
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Hiroshima Survivor's Vivid Tale
- Keiko Ogura, an 87-year-old Hiroshima survivor, vividly recalls the bombing and its aftermath.
- Her personal story illustrates the devastating human impact of nuclear weapons.
East Asia's Nuclear Arms Race
- East Asia is becoming the hotspot for rapid nuclear armament by China and North Korea.
- This proliferation cascade threatens global nuclear non-proliferation efforts and regional stability.
China's Rapid Nuclear Expansion
- China aims to expand its nuclear arsenal to rival the US and Russia, adding about 100 warheads annually.
- This ambition is part of Xi Jinping's vision for national rejuvenation and power projection.