Naval Arms Control: An Important National Security Issue in the 1990's and Beyond
Abstract
On 27 September 1991, President Bush wrote a truly fresh page of history in arms control reductions: He announced removal of nuclear-tipped missiles and strike and depth bombs from U.S. warships. Naval arms thus removal to the center stage of the arms reduction drama. The President's unilateral initiative challenges the Soviets to reciprocate. Most of all, it marks a dramatic break from earlier, protracted, suspicious, and unyielding U.S-Soviet arms reductions negotiations, especially regarding nuclear weapons. Given this environment, this paper will analyze the new U.S. approach to naval arms control. Fist, it will offer background on the naval arm control issue and indicate its relation to U.S. national security. Then it will describe the current U.S. and Soviet naval arms reduction positions. Finally, it will present conclusions regarding future U.S. security strategies. The analysis will support the President's decision to allow this transition to new political and economic realities to impact on future U.S.-Soviet naval arms reduction negotiations and strategies. It is time to seriously consider substantial measures to de-escalate military tension. Even so, much negotiations must recognize the U.S. naval forces unique role in sustaining forward presence as called for by our national security strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA251298
Entities
People
- Joseph J. Faley
Organizations
- United States Army War College