Nuclear and communication hotlines allow states to communicate quickly and effectively at the highest levels to prevent or limit military escalation, accidents, miscommunication, or misunderstandings. Measures to enhance information exchange and communication between nuclear-armed states can lessen the possibility of an escalation that crosses the nuclear threshold. Some states, such as the ROK and DPRK, have in the past established communications hotlines for crisis management yet these have atrophied or been suspended as relations have worsened. Others, such as China, the US, and Russia, have well-established hotlines although there remain gaps that need to be addressed.
This panel will discuss and examine the lessons learned from hotline agreements between nuclear-armed states such as China, the US, Russia, and India, the ROK-DRPK hotlines, and agreements in the Asia-Pacific and apply these to manage future crises.