| This week, Sameer Patil and Rahul Rawat review the escalation risks arising from the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in nuclear systems and offer recommendations on how to mitigate these risks. We revisit Adil Sultan’s commentary on the importance of conducting regular failsafe reviews to prevent the accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons. And we are inviting applications for the position of Research Intern to support our team across various ongoing projects.
As always, we highlight recent activities from our network, including analysis on the recent India-Pakistan crisis, NWFZ on the Korean Peninsula, social implications of AI misuses, and the value of China-US track-2 dialogue. |
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Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Systems and Escalation Risks
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Sameer Patil and Rahul Rawat argue that the integration of emerging technologies – particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) – into nuclear systems will heighten global nuclear risks by increasing the likelihood of miscalculation, faulty judgment, and unintended escalation. They call for a closer examination of these risks, including in the context of India’s nuclear arsenal, and explore ways to mitigate the dangers posed by AI in nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) systems through robust risk reduction and failsafe measures.
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Nuclear Failsafe Reviews and Risk Reduction Approaches in South Asia
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Adil Sultan analyses nuclear risks between India and Pakistan, highlighting the Balakot incident from 2019 and the Brahmos missile misfiring from 2022 as examples of the dangers posed by miscalculation, unauthorised actions, and the lack of crisis management mechanisms. He argues that there is an urgent need to conduct regular nuclear failsafe reviews by India and Pakistan to build confidence, reduce the risk of accidents or misjudgements, and prevent nuclear escalation during serious military crises.
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We are looking for a motivated individual to join our team as a research intern to support across our various ongoing research projects, policy impact activities and events. The role offers hands-on experience in policy research, communications, event management, and network engagement in an international, mission-driven environment.
The ideal candidate will be a current student or recent graduate in international relations, political science, security studies, or a related field. Strong English writing and editing skills are essential, along with the ability to work remotely, manage multiple tasks, and collaborate across time zones. Applicants should be based within ±3 hours of Korean Standard Time.
To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience align with this role (with Research Intern 2025 in the subject line) to the APLN Operations Manager at hr@apln.network. |
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APLN has over 160 members from 22 countries in the Asia-Pacific.
Each week we feature their latest contributions
to global and regional security debates.
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| Tanvi Kulkarni, APLN Policy Fellow, was interviewed by the BBC, where she commented on the recent US-brokered India-Pakistan ceasefire, arguing that ceasefires can be fragile if they are not backed by political and institutional actions to legitimise the ceasefire, and they get stronger only when they are honoured for a period of time. Temporary ceasefires can give only temporary relief, and without political negotiations, they may also break down easily. |
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| Rabia Akhtar, founding Director of the Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research at the University of Lahore, observed that the continued adherence to the 1988 India–Pakistan Non-Attack Agreement (NAA) on nuclear facilities demonstrates how mutual fear of irreversible catastrophe can sustain nuclear restraint even in the absence of trust or diplomatic dialogue. This model of quiet, fragile restraint, rooted in strategic realism, offers vital lessons for global nuclear resilience. |
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| C. Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, wrote for The Indian Express, cautioning against simplistic narratives which hold limited relevance for India in a period of geopolitical flux, marked by the US’ transactional diplomacy and evolving alliances. These global transformations will critically shape India’s long-term security and economic stability. |
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| Elina Noor, Senior Fellow in the Asia Programme at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, wrote for the South China Morning Post and highlighted that the spate of inaccurately rendered national flag images suggests a careless reliance on AI, which could have grave implications in a polarised society. |
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| Cheong Wook-sik, Director of the Hankyoreh Peace Institute and Director of the Peace Network, proposed a reasoned assessment of establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ), arguing that it could offer a fresh approach to addressing the Korean Peninsula’s nuclear issue. Recent shifts in both domestic and international conditions, he noted, have opened a window of opportunity to bring the concept of a NWFZ into public discourse. |
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| Chen Dongxiao, President of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), was featured in a special episode of China Field Notes from CSIS, where he discussed how China’s shift to the centre of global politics and economics has shaped his career. He also offered a frank assessment of US-China relations during the late Biden and early Trump administrations. |
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