How has history continuously pitted two nuclear-armed nations against each other over land-locked territory? In a deadly mix of terrorism, giant conventional forces, and nuclear weapons, India and Pakistan are again trading blows over the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Pakistan proper.

In this National Security Podcast extra, Chris Farnham hears from Dr Claude Rakisits and Dr Michael Cohen about the latest spike in violence as well as its triggers and historical context. The experts also look at the roles of other countries, control over violent extremists, and how the mutual possession of nuclear weapons affects the situation.

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Claude Rakisits is Honorary Associate Professor at the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy at the Australian National University, and an Associate at Georgetown University. Dr Rakisits is an expert in defence and strategic issues, international affairs, and intelligence, and is specifically interested in Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa.

Michael Cohen is a Senior Lecturer at the ANU National Security College. His research addresses international security in the Indo-Pacific and explores the causes of armed interstate conflict. Dr Cohen’s expertise covers nuclear weapons proliferation, the Korean peninsula, South Asia, deterrence and coercion, leaders, foreign policy decision-making, and the US-Australia alliance.

Chris Farnham is the presenter of the National Security Podcast. He joined the National Security College in June 2015 and is currently Senior Outreach and Policy Officer. His career focus has been on geopolitics with experience working in and out of China for a number of years as well as operating in Australia and Southeast Asia.