The Quad, comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, is central to reshaping global geopolitics and promises a more democratic global order. The group's focus on security, defense partnerships, and practical cooperation is crucial in the face of China's aggressive stance and Russia's brinkmanship. The Quad's success in vaccine delivery, supply chain resilience, and defense initiatives like India's sale of the BrahMos missile to the Philippines are strategic moves in the Indo-Pacific region. The potential expansion of the Quad Plus to include other nations reflects a shift towards minilateralism over the global multilateral system.

The debate over South Korea's potential nuclearisation has intensified, transitioning from a fringe idea to a subject of national security discussion. Public opinion in South Korea is increasingly supportive of indigenous nuclearisation, with polls indicating a majority in favor. This shift is driven by perceived threats from China and North Korea, with the latter's recent missile tests and nuclear developments raising concerns. The US-South Korea alliance provides conventional security, but nuclear weapons present a unique challenge, as seen in Russia's actions in Ukraine. Options such as missile defense and preemptive strikes are considered risky or ineffective. The possibility of Japan considering nuclear weapons in response to North Korean aggression is also discussed. The article suggests that if South Korea and Japan were to develop nuclear weapons, it would be for defensive purposes and after North Korea's disregard for international norms.

North Korea has conducted almost a dozen missile tests this year, indicating a significant enhancement of its missile program, which now includes short, medium, and long-range missiles capable of reaching South Korea, Japan, and the United States. The development of hypersonic missiles and improved launch capabilities, such as train- and truck-based launchers and submarine-mounted missiles, has increased the survivability of North Korea's arsenal. This advancement has strategic implications for the US, South Korea, and Japan, potentially leading to a rethinking of US military presence and base structures in the region due to the growing threat of North Korean missiles.