When does the legitimate application of military technology to the problem of national defence become needlessly provocative? What obstacles must developing countries overcome if they hope to use military technology effectively? And when might military technology itself become a cause of conflict? This book addresses these questions in the context of four particularly important states: China, India, Pakistan and Iran. Military Capacity and the Risk of War represents the effort of a unique group to put aside unhelpful national rhetoric as well as conventional academic thinking. Contributions from Iran give a valuable insight into the emergent viewpoints in that country, as well as the opportunities for arms control and confidence building in the Persian Gulf. Chapters on topics of military and technological interest combine the expertise of natural scientists, military professionals and social scientists specializing in cultural aspects of technology transfer.
4. Chinese military capacity: industrial and operational weaknesses
Norman Friedman
5. Arms procurement in China: poorly understood processes and unclear results
Wendy Frieman
10. Arms production in Iran and Pakistan: the limits of self-reliance
Yezid Sayigh
13. Arms procurement in Iran: ad hoc decision making and ambivalent decision makers
Shahram Chubin
16. Maritime forces and stability in southern Asia
Eric Grove