In the Eyes of Others: Ballistic Missile Defence and the Sino—US Security Dilemma

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to argue that US missile defences and Chinese reactions to these are symptomatic of the existence of a security dilemma in the Sino-US strategic relationship. The paper calls for what has been termed 'security dilemma sensibility' as a means of reducing friction and mistrust in the relationship. The paper also argues that the continued pressures exerted on the relationship by the build-up in offensive and defensive armaments by both antagonists have the potential to affect detrimentally both the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the prospects for non-proliferation efforts in years to come. Hence, the subject should be of great interest to Irish policy-makers, diplomats and academics.