April 16, 2021

Dear Network Members and Colleagues,

We would like to share with you the latest APLN policy brief, Northeast Asia Public Health Security Initiative, by Dr. Peter Hayes, APLN Research Director and Director of the Nautilus Institute.

Dr. Hayes suggests that Seoul City could explore establishing a Northeast Asian public health security initiative among cities across the region. A comprehensive and inclusive approach may provide an opportunity to engage the DPRK on public health, indirectly on the current pandemic, and be an important regional initiative in its own right.

Read Policy Brief

This week the APLN launched its new website series, The Pulse, featuring incisive and timely analysis on policy developments and debates in the Asia Pacific.

APLN’s first Pulse series focused on the implications of Russia’s recent test of a Kalibr cruise missile from the Sea of Japan/East Sea. APLN Senior Research Adviser, Dr Tanya Ogilvie-White, and international experts offered their analysis on the rationale and implications of the missile test.

“Although the primary intention behind the launch (and the decision to add the missile to the Pacific Fleet’s inventory) may be to signal to adversaries that Russia is capable of defending its interests along its Far East coast, the upgrade nevertheless significantly enhances Moscow’s power projection capabilities and will increase strategic tensions and escalation risks.” – Dr. Tanya Ogilvie-White, APLN

“Given the death of the INF Treaty, as soon as the US INF-range weapons arrive to the Western Pacific, Russia will be forced to react with testing, producing, and deploying land-based versions of Kalibr missiles in the region, as was announced by the Russian military-political leadership.” – Dmitry Stefanovich, RIAC

“While Russian threat perceptions tend to focus on its Western border, it arguably views SLCMs in the Pacific as boosting conventional deterrence and providing cover for its ballistic missile submarine (SSBM) bases. In addition to offering a potential capability against China, the Russian SLCMs challenge US power projection efforts near Russia’s Eastern border.” – Dr. Tytti Erästö, SIPRI

“Various proposals to apply arms control instruments to some of these weapons and reduced their destabilizing impact have been formulated and deserve to be examined, as alternatives to unconstrained missile arms race. But their military utility, verification challenges and dual-capable nature of some systems (including Kalibr) means that there is no silver bullet solution to the challenge.” – Łukasz Kulesa, PISM

Read The Pulse

Network Members’ Activities

Boris Johnson Risks a Nuclear Rift with Joe Biden
On 13 April, Co-Chair and CEO of Nuclear Threat Initiative, Ernest J. Moniz and APLN board member, Lord Browne of Ladyton published an article in The Times highlighting their concerns over the British government’s announcement to increase the cap on its nuclear warhead stockpile. They question whether the UK policy shift is proportionate to the threat, and argue that the expanded use of nuclear weapons runs counter to US President Biden’s longstanding commitment to reduce nuclear risks. Read morePerfect Storm of Threats against Human Race
On 11 April, APLN member and Professor Won-soo Kim wrote for the Korea Times on the need to address existential threats such as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), climate change, and disruptive emerging technologies. He shares concerns on a dearth of new arms control negotiations and a lack of political leadership. Read moreChina Rides on Pak to Further Its Nuclear Power Export Ambitions
On 3 April, APLN board member Dr. Manpreet Sethi wrote for the Sunday Guardian on China’ nuclear power export ambitions. Dr. Sethi elaborates on the significance of China’s first fully designed Chinese reactor in Pakistan, and emphasizes the need for nuclear governance with regulatory mechanisms and safety and security processes. Read more

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