Conventional forces in Europe: A new approach to the balance, stability, and arms control
There has recently been a resurgence of interest in the balance of conventional forces in the central European region. This increased concern is attributable to a number of factors, including: the signing of the US-Soviet INF treaty; the possibility of a third zero in Europe; increasing interest in conventional arms control; a perceived decrease in the credibility of the threat of nuclear use; and a trend away from considering escalation to nuclear use as the inevitable result of a conventional war. The debate surrounding the conventional balance is somewhat confused. Many different balance assessment techniques are used in analysis, and inadequate attention is given to the concept of stability in the conventional realm. Although conventional force planning, arms control policy, and defense objectives should be inextricably entwined, there is apparently little connection between them. This paper suggests a definition of conventional stability. Several of the techniques available for assessing the conventional balance are described and the uncertainties, advantages, and disadvantages associated with them are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Rand Graduate Inst., Santa Monica, CA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5182888
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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