| This week, we invited five experts from the Asia-Pacific to share their views and concerns about the 2025 Israel-Iran war, particularly its implications for Iran’s nuclear programme and for the 2026 NPT Review Conference. We also feature a report by Joel Petersson Ivre on the lessons that South Korea should learn from Iran’s dangerous pursuit of nuclear weapons.
As always, we highlight recent activities from our network, including analyses on South Korea’s new administration, conflict in South Asia, the recent ASEAN summit, US strikes in Iran, and more. |
|
|
The Israel-Iran War and the Crisis of the Nonproliferation Regime: Views from the Asia-Pacific
|
|
|
We invited five APLN members to comment on how the events from the Israel-Iran war are being viewed in the region, specifically the Israeli and US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and what consequences these may have on Iran’s nuclear programme as well as, ultimately, on the upcoming NPT Review Conference in 2026. Tanya Ogilvie-White, Nobumasa Akiyama, C Uday Bhaskar, Tong Zhao, and Salma Malik share their views and concerns in this week’s Pulse series on the Israel-Iran war.
|
|
|
The Attack on Iran’s Nuclear Program Should Be a Warning to South Korea
|
|
|
APLN Policy Fellow Joel Petersson Ivre wrote for The Diplomat, arguing that the attack on Iran’s nuclear program underscores the dangers of a rapid push toward nuclear weapons for South Korea, which is itself pursuing nuclear hedging against a nuclear-armed rival. He suggests that the Lee administration should take proactive steps to limit any future government’s ability to develop a latent deterrent. This would allow South Korea to retain the benefits and global competitiveness of its nuclear industry while mitigating proliferation risks and avoiding the kind of international suspicion and pressure that Iran has faced.
|
|
| In this special report, Joel Petersson Ivre examines how differing Japanese and South Korean approaches to strategic stability are contributing to rising nuclear salience in East Asia, with potential risks for crisis stability, arms racing, and non-proliferation. |
|
|
|
APLN has over 170 members from 23 countries in the Asia-Pacific.
Each week we feature their latest contributions
to global and regional security debates.
|
|
| Chung-in Moon, APLN Vice Chair, was interviewed by CGTN, where he discussed what President Lee Jae-myung’s victory signals for South Korea’s future, the major challenges facing the new administration, and how President Lee is likely to navigate relations with key neighbours and allies. |
|
|
| Rabia Akhtar, founding Director of the Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research at the University of Lahore, wrote on the May 2025 military crisis between Pakistan and India and analysed how this would reshape both the region’s balance of power and its vulnerability to future conflict. |
|
|
| C. Raja Mohan, Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore’s Institute of South Asian Studies, wrote for the Indian Express, noting that as Trump questions NATO’s relevance and pushes for disengagement, countries in the Indo-Pacific will need to consider new partnerships and more autonomous security strategies. |
|
|
| Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Research Professor at the Research Centre for Politics-National Research and Innovation Agency (PRP-BRIN), was featured in the Straight Talk Southeast Asia podcast, where she discussed the recent ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur and challenges facing the regional organisation. |
|
|
| C Uday Bhaskar, Director of the Society for Policy Studies (SPS), New Delhi, wrote for the South China Morning Post, arguing that by using Iran’s nuclear programme as a pretext for war, American and Israeli leaders have eroded trust in the global nuclear order. He emphasised that all major powers must urgently close ranks and restore confidence in the honour of global nuclear leadership. |
|
|
| Dongkeun Lee, APLN Policy Fellow, was featured in the new Asia Rising podcast, where he discussed how South Korea navigates its security priorities amid pressure from major powers such as China and Russia, as well as its proximity to North Korea. |
|
|
Was this newsletter forwarded to you?
Sign up here to receive weekly updates from APLN directly to your inbox.
|
|
|
Do you want direct updates on non-proliferation and disarmament issues
in the Asia-Pacific?
Before it’s in the newsletter, it’s on social media.
Follow APLN for direct updates in your favorite social media feed.
|
|
|
|
|
