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Superpowers' unfulfilled NPT promise

Journal Article · · Bull. At. Sci.; (United States)

The US and Soviet failure to keep their part of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) threatens the fragile equilibrium of incentives and disincentives that has so far prevented the spread of nuclear weapons. The failure to reduce nuclear arms will play a pivotal role in the current review conference of the NPT. The author examines the implications of the continuing arms race for countries on the verge of a nuclear capability and the psychopolitical impact that arms control progress could have on non-proliferation. To have an impact, arms control steps must be both symbolic and hardware oriented, must imply tangible sacrifices, must inhibit the arms race, and they must be credible and reasonably verifiable. Two approaches would make sense: a resumption of intermediate nuclear force negotiations and a reduction of nuclear battlefield weapons. 7 references.

Research Organization:
Center for European Policy Studies, Brussels, Belgium
OSTI ID:
6192864
Journal Information:
Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 41:8; ISSN BASIA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English