The spectre of the atomic bomb in East Asia

The Taiwan Strait crisis and Kim Jong-un's threats are rekindling tensions between the East Asian powers. With them come fears of nuclear escalation. The atomic bomb is an asset for negotiation, but without room for diplomatic dialogue, it becomes a scarecrow.

Escalating tensions between China and the United States over Taiwan, the scenario of an invasion of Taiwan by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), provocations by the USA and North Korea, the absence of any real joint dialogue between these powers: all these factors only serve to deepen doubts in public opinion. If things were to get out of hand in the region, what would be the means chosen by the belligerents? One has to wonder whether nuclear weapons might be an option.

The East Asia zone includes