The Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Negotiations and Treaty: An Historical Case Study.

Abstract

This thesis performs detailed analysis of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) negotiations and treaty and compares them with those of the two Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT). The study's objectives were: describe SALT and INF negotiations and the contents of the treaties; analyze US and Soviet goals and strategies during the INF negotiations; determine which goals were or were not attained by both sides, and ascertain reasons for this; and delineate arms control progress and prospects since INF Treaty ratification. The study found that the two SALT treaties did impose ceilings in certain areas of strategic weapons but did not curtail the arms race. Treaty verification methods were criticized as being lax. The US achieved the major goal of ridding Europe of the Soviet SS-20 missile. It had to deploy missiles of its own to make the USSR realize the seriousness of its resolve. The US had total support from NATO in achieving this goal. However, with INF gone, the European conventional forces imbalance looms larger, and the West is fighting to obtain asymmetric conventional cuts. (jhd)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA215576

Entities

People

  • Donald E. Wussler Jr

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Air Force
  • Anti-Ballistic Missiles
  • Arms Control
  • Arms Control Treaties
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Foreign Relations
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • International Relations
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Negotiations
  • Strategic Defense Initiative
  • Strategic Weapons
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Western Europe

Readers

  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies