U.S. and allied officials and experts who have tracked developments in South Asia have grown increasingly worried over the rapid growth of the region's more mature nuclear programs, in part because of the risk that weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists.

India is considering developing a comprehensive missile defense system to protect itself from Pakistan. Taylor Dinerman describes the rationale behind that system and the role satellites might play.

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 authors examine the potential for the accidental or unauthorized launch of nuclear weapons in India and Pakistan from a normal accidents perspective and then assess the possibility of command and control safegaurds such as Permissive Action Links.

M. V. Ramana discusses the reasons why the nuclear early warning systems established by the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War are inappropriate for India and Pakistan.

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.

The author argues that India needs to "raise the ante" and develop a limited missile defense system to respond to an unpredictable Pakistan.

"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."

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