Summary
Southeast Asia is on the cusp of joining the nuclear renaissance. Three countries in this region have announced plans for nuclear power, two others are deciding on the option and two more recently expressed an interest in this form of energy for the first time. Meanwhile, Myanmar plans to build a small research reactor and is the focus of rumors about clandestine nuclear cooperation with North Korea. Myanmar’s unclear intentions give rise to proliferation worries, while elsewhere in the region the major concerns about the introduction of nuclear power pertain to safety and environmental considerations and whether facilities and materials will be secure. The IISS Strategic Dossier on Preventing Nuclear Dangers in Southeast Asia and Australasia provides a comprehensive overview of the history of nuclear programs in the region, an evaluation of national nuclear capabilities and policies, and an analysis of future aspirations in each of the members of ASEAN plus Australia and New Zealand. In addition to analyzing the safety and security risks of nuclear energy and the vulnerabilities of strategic trade control systems, the dossier assesses policy options that can help allow the atom to be harnessed for peaceful uses in a manner that is safe, secure and non-threatening.
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