Won t fears of “mutual assured destruction” deter both nations from waging nuclear war?
India and Pakistan each claim that their nuclear weapons are intended to deter the other, but neither has ruled out the first use of these weapons. In announcing its nuclear tests on May 28, Pakistan expressly noted that these weapons were intended to deter aggression against Pakistan, “either nuclear or conventional.” India says it is willing to discuss a no-first-use agreement with Pakistan, suggesting that it currently reserves a first-use option. Thus, both India and Pakistan will have to weigh the need to “use or lose” their nuclear weapons in an escalating crisis. Given the shared border and extremely short flight times involved, both nations might perceive that they must strike first with nuclear weapons to eliminate the capability of the other side to use its nuclear weapons. Inadequate command and control might permit lower-level military commanders in the field to seize the nuclear initiative without orders from the central government. This instability is exacerbated by the f
