Nuclear Playground

In the late 1980s, tensions between the superpowers led to increased nuclear war planning in the Pacific. The USA and USSR had major naval bases in the region, and both countries conducted aggressive surveillance and military exercises. This book explores the nuclear issue in the Pacific and the impact it had on the people and governments of Micronesia and the South Pacific. It highlights the desire of these communities to make their own future and break free from the nuclear legacy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 04 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In the late 1980s, there was a growing sense that World War III could potentially unfold in the Pacific, a region long considered a domain of American influence. However, the balance of power in the region was shifting, with the Soviet Union establishing a significant naval base at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam. This development prompted the United States to intensify its nuclear war preparations in the Pacific, expanding its arsenal and engaging in aggressive surveillance and military exercises to taunt the Soviets. The Soviets, in turn, responded with similar measures.

For decades, Pacific Islanders have expressed resentment towards the use of their ocean as a nuclear playground. Three of the five nuclear powers, namely the United States, the Soviet Union, and China, have launched missiles into the Pacific for testing purposes. Two of these powers, the United States and Britain, have detonated nuclear devices in the region, although they have since ceased these activities. France, on the other hand, continues to conduct nuclear bomb tests in one of its colonies.

The nuclear issue has had a profound impact on the political landscape of Micronesia and the South Pacific in the 1980s. It has weakened the United States' grip on the region, making the French increasingly unpopular. The people of these remote communities, often overlooked or deemed expendable, have a nuclear past that has been imposed upon them. Now, they are determined to shape their own future.

This book, originally published in 1987, delves into the story of the nuclear men in the Pacific and the impact they have had on the people and governments in the region. It explores the displacement and irradiation caused by these nuclear activities and the responses of the affected communities. The book sheds light on the struggles and efforts of these people to reclaim their sovereignty and control over their nuclear destiny.

The nuclear issue in the Pacific has raised important questions about the responsibilities of nuclear powers and the need for international cooperation in managing nuclear risks. It has also highlighted the vulnerability of small island states and the importance of their voices in shaping global nuclear policy. As the world continues to navigate the complex dynamics of nuclear proliferation and disarmament, the stories and experiences of Pacific Islanders serve as a reminder of the human cost and the urgent need for a peaceful and sustainable future.

Weight: 367g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367533359