ROUGH WATERS AHEAD

Abstract

This article considers the decision of China not to support the Proliferation Security Initiative. The PSI is a consortium of seafaring nations that have pledged to take effective measures, either alone or in concert with other states, for interdicting the transfer or transport of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, and related materials to and from states and nonstate actors of proliferation concern. Deprived of China`s support, the initiative could lack the ships, intelligence, and muscle it needs to prosecute operations effectively in Asian waters. Furthermore, for Beijing, the PSI is not simply an instrument to combat proliferation, but is also seen as a pretext for Washington realpolitik.