Further Tactical Nuclear Weapons Reductions in Europe: The Next Challenge for Arms Control
Abstract
The dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and Soviet Union has removed the traditional Cold War logic and security rationale for the forward deployment of theater nuclear weapons (TNWs) in Europe. Moreover, with a reduction of almost 90 percent of U.S. TNWs from NATOs soil, the debate continues on whether or not there still exists such a requirement, as well as making it more difficult for key decisionmakers to clearly articulate their future relevance. Based on theses conditions, the research question for this monograph is to determine what creative steps, proposals or measures would merit consideration and help jump start dialogue between the U.S. and Russia for deeper reductions in their TNW stockpiles, as well as to define the associated issues, obstacles and challenges. Both the U.S. and Russia's histories are replete with successful arms control examples. So surely both sides can look to their past to find prescriptions of how to deal with the development of disarmament measures that can be undertaken to generate the needed debate necessary to lead to the institution of new arms control measures and agreements, as well as preserve a credible, effective deterrent in the face of growing challenges to maintaining a stable European security environment and strategic relationship in the years to come. The monograph begins with an historical review on the evolution of NATO's nuclear strategy, focusing almost exclusively on the conditions that warranted the introduction and employment of TNWs into Europe. Additionally, it will highlight some of the economic and national security influences that led to changes in NATO's nuclear strategy and the development of policies that carefully linked TNWs to strategic nuclear weapons to reassure a U.S. commitment to Europe and provide decisionmakers greater flexibility through multiple options to respond to any aggression.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 21, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA357072
Entities
People
- Yancy Headen
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College