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Volume 14, Number 2, June 2002
Contributors
Missile Defence, the ABM Treaty, and Nuclear Weapons--An Opportunity Missed by Ron Huisken
The contention that current US policy settings on missile defence, the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems (ABM treaty), and strategic nuclear weapons signal the end of the Cold War and lay the foundations for a new strategic framework is premature. Against the background of withdrawal from the ABM treaty, the missile defence programme offers little assurance to Russia and China that it will be limited to the threat from 'rogue' states. More particularly, the US position on nuclear weapons reveals the strength of entrenched Cold War thinking. A clear opportunity to lead the world decisively away from high-salience nuclear postures has been missed. The paper outlines approaches to missile defence and nuclear weapons that offer a better fit with the various objectives of reducing reliance on nuclear weapons, revitalising non-proliferation, and providing defences against limited but undeterrable missile threats. The paper also argues that the new focus of intense concern--the theft of weapons of mass destruction or their component materials by terrorists--could be the trigger to bolder thinking on nuclear weapons than has been displayed to date.
Why Japan Will Not Give up Whaling by Mike Danaher
Despite enduring so much foreign criticism for its pro-whaling stance, why does Japan continue to push for a resumption of commercial whaling? By exploring this question we can become more cognisant of the wider influences on Japanese state behaviour from societal groups in domestic politics and accepted cultural traditions. We can then understand why foreign pressure has difficulty in resonating within Japan. This paper analyses Japanese diplomacy at the two recent Meetings of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (1997 and 2000) and the International Whaling Commission (2000 and 2001), and also the apparent paradoxes of Japan's having a popular whale-watching industry and the Japanese public's increasing engagement in whale rescues. From these negotiations, it is clear that Japan's pro-whaling stance underscores the principles that it holds as important, such as respect for self-determination, respect for the legally binding rules of international treaties, and respect for science-based management as the basis for regulating the international use of resources when cultural values and preferences differ so greatly. It also shows that the current misinformation, polarisation, posturing, dogmatism and hostility dominating the whaling debate is not helpful to anyone. Furthermore, the implicit love for living whales which is associated with a whale-watching industry and rescuing stranded whales is not necessarily incompatible with wishing to harvest whales. These apparent inconsistencies can coexist because they link to Buddhist notions of respect for whales.
Reconciling Australia's International Protection Obligations with the 'War on Terrorism' by Savitri Taylor
In the aftermath of 11 September, Australia has committed itself to active participation in the 'war on terrorism'. In light of concerns expressed by the Australian government that terrorists might sometimes take the guise of asylum seekers, this article considers whether it is possible for Australia to reconcile its international protection obligations with the war on terrorism and if so how.
Gandhi and the Peace Prizes by Thomas Weber
Environmental Security: Will Bush Follow Clinton's Lead? by Paul G. Harris
Book Reviews