The CIA describes the India-Pakistan border as the most dangerous in the world. Last month that area erupted again as troops from both nations traded fire. Since 1947 three major wars have been fought between the two countries over this disputed region. It has been especially critical since last year's testing of nuclear devices by both countries.

In a May 30, 1999 column Toronto Sun journalist Eric Margolis has this to say about the clash: "The 52-year old struggle over divided Kashmir went critical last year when India and Pakistan revealed their nuclear arsenals. Both sides have air-delivered nuclear weapons and are deploying medium-ranged ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads: India, its "Prithvi" and "Agni" systems; Pakistan the new "Ghauri" and "Shaheen" missiles. All of Pakistan, and much of northern and central India, are now under threat of nuclear attack.

These missiles, and nuclear-armed strike aircraft, are at hair-trigger readiness. Both sides have at best a 3-minute warning of enemy attack. A false alarm, or a major upsurge in fighting over Kashmir, could trigger a "use-them-or-lose them" nuclear exchange which, RAND Corp estimates, would kill 2 million people immediately, cause 100 million casualties, and send clouds of radioactive dust around the globe.