Abstract
This article examines whether the U.S. nuclear umbrella provided to allies is currently viable and whether it is time for the United States to share nuclear weapons technology with its allies in the Asia-Pacific to counter the growing nuclear threat posed by China, North Korea, and Russia. The article discusses the current capabilities and nuclear doctrine of States possessing nuclear weapons, as well as Iran’s nascent nuclear weapons program. It then discusses the current international law and regulatory regime applicable to nuclear weapons. It analyzes the threats posed by China’s and Russia’s nuclear capabilities, and how they affect U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy, as well as the proven inability of the United Nations Security Council to have any meaningful impact on curbing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Finally, it examines possible options the United States can take to enhance extended nuclear deterrence in the Asia-Pacific. Given that, for the first time in history, the United States will need to simultaneously deter two strategic peer, nuclear-capable adversaries, the United States will be incapable of providing extended nuclear deterrence to its Asia-Pacific allies unless it significantly increases its nuclear arsenal or shares nuclear weapons technology and material with Japan and South Korea so that they can develop their own indigenous programs.
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