The World Can’t Afford a Nuclear Misstep—Especially Not Now

As tensions rise once again between India and Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, the world is reminded of the fragile line we walk when two nuclear-armed nations engage in conflict. With India possessing an estimated 172 nuclear weapons and Pakistan close behind with 170, this decades-old rivalry has the potential to spiral into a global catastrophe.

Despite repeated escalations over the years, meaningful progress toward nuclear disarmament in South Asia has been stalled by nationalistic politics, militarization, and international complacency. Now, amid cross-border airstrikes and artillery fire, the stakes are once again perilously high—not just for the people of Kashmir, but for the world.

What’s most alarming is the normalization of nuclear capability as a geopolitical bargaining chip. History shows us that nuclear deterrence does not prevent conflict—it delays justice, breeds instability, and channels public resources away from education, health care, and community well-being.

At the Peace Economy Project, we believe true security is not defined by the size of a nation’s arsenal, but by the health of its people, the strength of its diplomacy, and its commitment to peace. The current crisis in Kashmir should not be a call to arms—it should be a call to disarm.

It’s time for U.S. leadership—not in choosing sides—but in championing nuclear disarmament, supporting conflict resolution, and ensuring that diplomacy—not war—is the path forward.