The stage shifts in arms control

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Technol. Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6155134

Sigal, L V; Mendelschn, J

With the ratification of the superpowers' treaty to eliminate their intermediate-range missiles, the question of the conventional-force balance in Europe has moved to the forefront of the East/West dialogue. After years of inconclusive talks on reducing those forces, the Soviets are now taking a potentially promising approach. Until recently, the Soviets have tried without success to convince the West that no conventional-force imbalance existed in Europe. If NATO is not to concede the political high ground to Gorbachev, it should be prepared to seize the initiative and offer serious proposals of its own. At a minimum NATO must thoroughly assess what it wants from the Warsaw Pact and what it is prepared to give in return, instead of hoping that the issue of conventional arms control will fade from the public's attention. Politically and economically, both sides stand to benefit from force reductions. But any reduction proposal, even one that offers asymmetric cuts in NATO's favor, will be militarily beneficial only if the character of the two sides' forces is taken into account.

• Research Organization: International Politics at Wesleyan Univ. (US)
• OSTI ID: 6155134
• Journal Information: Technol. Rev.; (United States), Journal Name: Technol. Rev.; (United States) Vol. 91:6; ISSN TEREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
350100* -- Arms Control-- Policy
Negotiations
& Legislation-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
MILITARY STRATEGY
MISSILES
NATO
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
REDUCTION
TREATIES
USA
USSR
WEAPONS