Exploiting the Soviet threat to Europe

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00963402.1987.11459468· OSTI ID:6455068

Evangelista, M

In the wake of the Reykjavik summit, the most controversial item on the US security agenda, the future of the Strategic Defense Initiative, has become tied even more closely than before to perceptions of Soviet strategy for war in Europe, especially conventional war. Although the relationship between SDI and Soviet conventional forces may not be obvious, a major link is found in proposals for a NATO version of Star Wars - the European Defense initiative, which includes an anti-tactical-missile defense system (ATM). The European Defense Initiative has been justified largely as a necessary response to the deployment of Soviet short-range ballistic missiles armed with conventional warheads. The Soviet short-range missiles in question are dual capable - that is, they may be armed with either nuclear or conventional warheads. But NATO and Reagan Administration officials who are promoting the new anti-tactical-missile program have given their own brand of dual-capability to the Soviet missiles. The author feels that USSR proposals for reducing conventional forces, tactical nuclear forces, and short-range ballistic missiles should be taken seriously and should certainly be pursued. They offer the prospect of simultaneously limiting the nuclear and conventional capabilities of Soviet Forces, and would render unnecessary the costly and dangerous programs to develop ATMS and deep-strike weapons. Arms control is surely a better approach to reducing the Soviet offensive conventional threat to Europe than plans for a NATO conventional buildup or a European Star Wars. 14 references.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• OSTI ID: 6455068
• Journal Information: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 43:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ARMS CONTROL
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
NATO
USA
NON-PROLIFERATION POLICY
USSR
ASIA
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NORTH AMERICA
350100* - Arms Control- Policy
Negotiations
& Legislation- (1987-)
290600 - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy