US nuclear deterrence strategy needs an update – here's how

Demand signals are growing for improved U.S. theater nuclear options and missile defenses in the Western Pacific. In the runup to President Biden's recent summit with the Pacific Islands, Palau's president called for a permanent deployment of air and missile defense systems. This followed closely on the heels of yet another signal of South Korea's creeping interest in nuclear weapons. Taken together, this is a worrying — and unfortunately persistent — sign of rising doubt in the American extended deterrent. The situation, if left unaddressed, risks deterrence failure and the total collapse of the regional nonproliferation regime. To maintain a…