Nuclear-Conventional Entanglement Risks: Australia and Allied Crisis Management Interoperability

This project will explore how Australia and its closest regional partners – Japan, South Korea, and the United States can build coordinated approaches to crisis signaling in the Asia-Pacific. As the risks of conflict increase in Australia’s region, concerns are growing about the links between advanced conventional weapons systems and strategic stability between the major nuclear-armed powers. The research is designed to help the Department of Defence to navigate the complex challenge of maintaining deterrence while avoiding dangerous nuclear crises as Australia joins these allies in acquiring increasingly capable weapons systems.

The project led by Monash University, involves a team of international partners who will examine the specific conventional weapons systems relevant to potential nuclear crises in Asia in the years ahead, and identify mechanisms for coordinating effective crisis signaling. The outcomes include production of a briefing paper, an
international dialogue held in Australia and blog posts and podcast episodes to raise awareness of the increasingly important role of conventionally-armed US allies in potential nuclear crises in Asia