"O'Neil has written a pragmatic and incisive account of why nuclear deterrence strategy remains a contemporary hallmark of Northeast Asia's geopolitics. His basic argument that the interests of present and potential nuclear actors in Northeast Asia will invariably prevail over idealistic but ephemeral norms of nuclear disarmament needs to be read and debated by all serious regional and international security ... Read morescholars.Combining lucid analysis of the region's most critical strategic dynamics with extensive empirical research, the author has provided us with an important statement on how to prioritise and implement the 'nuclear question' at a time when its importance is all too often underplayed." - Professor William T. Tow, Department of International Relations, Australian National University, author of Asia-Pacific Strategic Relations"This book is essential reading for policy makers, academics and the public. Acknowledging that the nuclear non-proliferation regime is in desperate trouble, O'Neill asks the hard questions: how will this affect the already unstable Northeast Asian region; and how can we best prevent nuclear conflict there? His argument goes beyond the current orthodoxy that the NPT is our only chance of keeping the nuclear peace, and proposes some important and provocative ways forward." - Professor Michael Wesley, Director, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University Show Less