The Intelligence from The Economist The dragon chasing: China and a new nuclear order
Jan 2, 2023
Anton LaGuardia, a diplomatic correspondent for The Economist, unpacks China's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal, now on par with the U.S. and Russia. He discusses the implications for a complex three-way deterrence landscape. The conversation also touches on the importance of diplomatic efforts to navigate rising tensions linked to Ukraine and Taiwan. Additionally, LaGuardia explores the creative revolution spurred by classic intellectual properties entering the public domain, as well as the surge of community and competition in the increasingly popular sport of axe throwing.
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A New Nuclear Age
- A new nuclear arms race is developing, fueled by new weapons technology, the fraying of old agreements, and China's nuclear expansion.
- This creates a complex three-way deterrence game between the US, Russia, and China, a scenario the world hasn't seen before.
Three-Way Deterrence
- Three-way deterrence is complex because each nation must consider the actions of two potential adversaries, including the risk of them joining forces.
- This can lead to an escalating arms race as each power tries to maintain a balance of power.
China's Nuclear Arsenal
- China's growing nuclear arsenal, projected to reach 1,500 warheads by 2035, makes them a significant player in the nuclear landscape.
- While smaller than the US and Russia's current arsenals, this expansion elevates China to a peer competitor.