Asian Arms Build-Up

JOURNAL ENTRY: Mars — As tensions escalate back on Earth we hear the news that India has successfully tested its long-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. This is just the latest escalation in the Asian arms-race, where the assertiveness and growing military power of the Chinese has rattled not just the region, but leaders of western nations.

This launch, however, sends a clear message to the Chinese that India has joined that small club of nuclear-nations that includes, China, Britain, France, Russia, Israel and the United States.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India praised the scientists who developed the missile and called the launching “another milestone in our quest to add to the credibility of our security and preparedness and to continuously explore the frontiers of science.”

While India celebrates this milestone we here, on Mars, worry where this will all lead given both India and China are coming our way with ideas of colonisation. If we cannot live harmoniously, side by side, on Earth, how will tensions run here on the unforgiving surface of Mars?