Scott Sagan: Nuclear Proliferation and the Lessons of the India-Pakistan Conflict

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Stanford political scientist Scott Sagan for a discussion of nuclear proliferation. Reviewing his early work on nuclear safety, Sagan explains how organizational theory can enrich our understanding of international relations and deterrence.  He analyzes the relevance of these insights for clarifying the threats posed by nuclear proliferation and then identifies the lessons of the India-Pakistan conflict, especially the Kargil War. He also focuses on the meaning of the non-proliferation regime and the adaptations that will insure its resiliency. Finally, Sagan discusses alternative strategies for dealing with the threat posed by Iran.