Apart from the human devastation, a small-scale nuclear war between India and Pakistan would destroy much of the ozone layer, leaving the DNA of humans and other organisms at risk of damage from the Sun's rays, say researchers.

The large amount of radioactive material used India and Pakistan have led to concerns of a possible radiological, or even nuclear, terrorist incident in the region, according to a report released this month by the Henry L. Stimson Center.

Karen Yourish summarizes recent developments with both India and Pakistan's nuclear programs.

"There's a flurry of political activity in India and Pakistan, with Washington in the mix. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage visited Pakistan. Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali just completed a tour of the United States. India and the United States conducted joint military exercises. And if we needed a reminder that South Asia is the world's most likely nuclear flashpoint, Pakistan's successful test of a nuclear-capable missile this week provided it."

The author considers the argument that nuclear weapons have helped stabilize the conflict between India and Pakistan.

The author examines the challenges the world faces in the "second nuclear age", where the constraints on nuclear proliferation have been significantly weakened and the risks of a nuclear exchange have greatly increased.

Bruce Sterling analyzes the nationalist and expansionist motives driving the Indian and Chinese space programs.

As the U.S. struggles to prevent its enemies from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, its friends in South Asia are busy shoring up their nuclear arsenals, out of the glare of international scrutiny.

The authors look at three situations in which a large-scale conventional conflict between India and Pakistan could inadvertently escalate to nuclear warfare because of the nations' asymmetries in doctrine and military capabilities.

India should deploy most of its nuclear arsenal on naval vessels, primarily submarines, according to Adm. Madhvendra Singh, chief of naval staff.