title: The evolution of China’s nuclear weapons program and doctrine and its implications for international security

authors: Abbasi, Khusrow Akkas

subjects: International Relations

abstract: As China’s power in the international system increases, its strategic policies are changing. This includes its nuclear weapons program and nuclear deterrent policy, viewed as a critical guarantor of Beijing’s security and a tool that supports its growing regional and global interests. China’s evolving nuclear program and doctrine have multidimensional implications. This study critically examines the drivers of China’s ongoing nuclear weapons policy and force modernization by employing neoclassical realism. In doing so, it considers the implications of China’s nuclear program for international and regional security, and for strategic stability by exploring relevant case studies and dyads (China- US, China-Japan, China-South Korea, China-India, and China-Taiwan) and speculates on the future trajectory of China’s nuclear weapons modernization. In this context, China’s contemporary nuclear weapons force modernization is an ongoing process that started in late 2015 under President Xi Jinping’s rule.
The hypothesis of this thesis extends from this line of thinking, holding that the emerging nuclear program of China is increasing regional and international strategic insecurity. This involves China, the US and other regional powers, manifested in a “security dilemma”.1 An empirical and analytical approach is used to evaluate the hypothesis and critically deconstruct prevailing discourses. The methodology employs deductive reasoning that uses existing theory as a foundation for formulating and testing the hypothesis.
The findings show that China’s nuclear weapons policy and ongoing force modernization drivers are primarily structural. However, internal factors within China, such as its leadership and economic development, and bureaucratic competition between different services of the PLA also play a significant role in shaping China’s emerging full-spectrum deterrence posture calibrated towards limited nuclear war fighting. This breeds a spiral of insecurity vis-a-vis the US, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and India, is leading to greater strategic and crisis instability and an intensified security dilemma.

text: The evolution of China’s nuclear weapons program and doctrine and its implications for international security As China’s power in the international system increases, its strategic policies are changing. This includes its nuclear weapons program and nuclear deterrent policy, viewed as a critical guarantor of Beijing’s security and a tool that supports its growing regional and global interests. China’s evolving nuclear program and doctrine have multidimensional implications. This study critically examines the drivers of China’s ongoing nuclear weapons policy and force modernization by employing neoclassical realism. In doing so, it considers the implications of China’s nuclear program for international and regional security, and for strategic stability by exploring relevant case studies and dyads (China- US, China-Japan, China-South Korea, China-India, and China-Taiwan) and speculates on the future trajectory of China’s nuclear weapons modernization. In this context, China’s contemporary nuclear weapons force modernization is an ongoing process that started in late 2015 under President Xi Jinping’s rule.
The hypothesis of this thesis extends from this line of thinking, holding that the emerging nuclear program of China is increasing regional and international strategic insecurity. This involves China, the US and other regional powers, manifested in a “security dilemma”.1 An empirical and analytical approach is used to evaluate the hypothesis and critically deconstruct prevailing discourses. The methodology employs deductive reasoning that uses existing theory as a foundation for formulating and testing the hypothesis.
The findings show that China’s nuclear weapons policy and ongoing force modernization drivers are primarily structural. However, internal factors within China, such as its leadership and economic development, and bureaucratic competition between different services of the PLA also play a significant role in shaping China’s emerging full-spectrum deterrence posture calibrated towards limited nuclear war fighting. This breeds a spiral of insecurity vis-a-vis the US, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and India, is leading to greater strategic and crisis instability and an intensified security dilemma.

year: 2022

title: Adaptive digital twins for energy-intensive industries and their local communities

authors: Walmsley, Timothy Gordon

subjects: digital twin

abstract: Digital Twins (DTs) are high-fidelity virtual models that behave-like, look-like and connect-to a physical system. In this work, the physical systems are operations and processes from energy-intensive industrial plants and their local communities. The creation of DTs demands expertise not just in engineering, but also in computer science, data science, and artificial intelligence. Here, we introduce the Adaptive Digital Twins (ADT) concept, anchored in five attributes inspired by the self-adaptive systems field from software engineering. These attributes are self-learning, self-optimizing, self-evolving, self-monitoring, and self-protection. This new approach merges cutting-edge computing with pragmatic engineering needs. ADTs can enhance decision-making in both the design phase and real-time operation of industrial facilities and allow for versatile 'what-if' scenario simulations. Seven applications within the energy-intensive industries are described where ADTs could be transformative.

text: Adaptive digital twins for energy-intensive industries and their local communities Digital Twins (DTs) are high-fidelity virtual models that behave-like, look-like and connect-to a physical system. In this work, the physical systems are operations and processes from energy-intensive industrial plants and their local communities. The creation of DTs demands expertise not just in engineering, but also in computer science, data science, and artificial intelligence. Here, we introduce the Adaptive Digital Twins (ADT) concept, anchored in five attributes inspired by the self-adaptive systems field from software engineering. These attributes are self-learning, self-optimizing, self-evolving, self-monitoring, and self-protection. This new approach merges cutting-edge computing with pragmatic engineering needs. ADTs can enhance decision-making in both the design phase and real-time operation of industrial facilities and allow for versatile 'what-if' scenario simulations. Seven applications within the energy-intensive industries are described where ADTs could be transformative.

year: 2024

title: The enowning of thought and whakapapa: Heidegger's fourfold

authors: Mika, Carl Te Hira

subjects: Maori

abstract: Throughout colonization, Maori have been constantly urged to think of their terminology, and the objects it relates to, along constrained lines. In this practice, the self and other things are arguably restricted and impoverished. However, certain frequently used Maori terms – such as “whakapapa” and “whakaaro” – may be read alongside Heidegger’s “Ereignis,” revealing a completely other sense to them than their orthodox, respective translations of “genealogy” and “to think” allow. This kind of thinking in concert with an existential philosophy is an active process that allows for the “freeing up” of entities and a colonized group. With Heidegger’s assistance, the terms, and the original sources they refer to, reflect a kind of “Geviert”/Fourfold that ensures a continual strife and interplay between things in the world and self.

text: The enowning of thought and whakapapa: Heidegger's fourfold Throughout colonization, Maori have been constantly urged to think of their terminology, and the objects it relates to, along constrained lines. In this practice, the self and other things are arguably restricted and impoverished. However, certain frequently used Maori terms – such as “whakapapa” and “whakaaro” – may be read alongside Heidegger’s “Ereignis,” revealing a completely other sense to them than their orthodox, respective translations of “genealogy” and “to think” allow. This kind of thinking in concert with an existential philosophy is an active process that allows for the “freeing up” of entities and a colonized group. With Heidegger’s assistance, the terms, and the original sources they refer to, reflect a kind of “Geviert”/Fourfold that ensures a continual strife and interplay between things in the world and self.

year: 2014