"China's nuclear and missile aid to Pakistan has ratcheted up tensions across the subcontinent, sparked a dangerous arms race, and increased the prospects of a nuclear war."
"Since the 1970s, China has been instrumental in Pakistan's nuclear and missile programs," observe Richard Fisher and John Dori of the Heritage Foundation. "China provided Pakistan with highly enriched uranium, ring magnets necessary for processing the uranium, and education for nuclear engineers. Pakistan's nuclear bomb, in fact, is widely believed to be based on Chinese blueprints." The two Heritage analysts report that China also "provided Pakistan with nuclear-capable M-11 missiles that have a range of 186 miles."
Fisher and Dori outline the "strategic implications of China's nuclear proliferation," which include the fomentation of an arms race in South Asia, the possibility of a nuclear war erupting in that region, the spread of nuclear instability to surrounding areas, and, ultimately, an increasing threat to the security of the United States. "A dangerously destabilizing arms race is developing among India, Pakistan, and China," they warn. "China's deep involvement with Pakistan's nuclear program contributed to the new Indian government's decision to test nuclear weapons."
As Madeleine Albright might observe, What's the point of having such arsenals unless you use them? Stockpiles soar, jingoes get jittery, and the temptation to strike first grows ever more alluring. "By promoting a new nuclear arms race, China has helped increase the risks of nuclear war in South Asia," Fisher and Dori charge. "It is unlikely that Pakistan could match India's expenditures for nuclear and missile weapons," they contend. "Because India will continue to grow in strength relative to Pakistan, there may be pressure for Pakistan to striker sooner. India is aware of this possibility and is likely to choose to put its nuclear forces in a hair-trigger, 'use-them-or-lose-them' posture."
Fisher and Dori worry that "China may be prompted to develop new and more accurate missiles to target India's nuclear facilities and missile forces. These new Chinese missiles also could threaten U.S. forces in Asia," they warn. "Ultimately, China's desire for more accurate regional missiles could lead to its building more accurate intercontinental missiles."
The President who made that dire development possible, of course, is the same President who prevents implementation of a U.S. missile defense system. What possible motivation could Bill Clinton have for transferring to our most dangerous potential enemy the technology necessary to improve the accuracy of missiles targeted against us? What possible motivation could he have for deliberately leaving our nation defenseless against missile attack? Can sheer ineptitude excuse either of these suicidal missteps, considered separately? Taken together -- the upgrading of China's missile capability, the commitment to U.S. vulnerability -- do they not suggest something far more sinister than imbecility? Clinton in his reckless cleverness may think that he's in the clear, so long as treason cannot be proven. But the only other explanation for his actions is an incompetence so colossal that it might as well be treason. Either way, he cannot continue as President.
