Navy autonomy thwarts arms control
During the past three decades the two superpowers have steadily modernized their naval forces, sent large numbers of nuclear weapons to sea, and engaged in provocative and potentially destabilizing operations. Currently the US is deploying new aircraft carriers, a new generation of fighter aircraft, and new surface ships with greater offensive and defensive power. The Soviet Union has deployed a new generation of attack submarines and is completing its first large aircraft carrier. And the Soviets are preparing to follow the US lead in deploying long-range, highly accurate sea-launched cruise missiles. These developments, accompanied by naval operations that increase the potential for superpower conflict at sea, should make naval arms control a high priority. But it has not been a focus of US-Soviet negotiations and only recently has garnered more interest from multilateral disarmament bodies. An examination of the record shows that bilateral efforts in this area have been minimal and impeded by strong opposition, particularly from the US Navy. The multilateral approach may be more promising because of five agreements affecting the seas that could offer precedents, but this will require improved coordination between the arms control and law of the sea processes. 10 references.
- Research Organization:
- Institute for Policy Studies, Washington, DC
- OSTI ID:
- 6395012
- Journal Information:
- Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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