Nuclear security in a transformed world
In the wake of the failed coup attempt in the Soviet Union, the world stands hopeful that a new era of international peace and cooperation lies ahead. President Bush's unilateral reductions in tactical nuclear weapons and in the alert levels of US forces, coupled with President Gorbachev's largely reciprocal actions, are important steps toward realizing that hope. While bold in the context of recent arms control history, however, these actions are modest in the face of the current enormous opportunity and the shifting threats the world now faces. Even with these welcome unilateral actions, the likely continued presence of thousands of nuclear weapons throughout many of the Soviet republics, the temporary uncertainty over central government command during the coup, and fuller knowledge of Iraq's aggressive efforts to build a nuclear bomb serve as stark reminders that the danger of nuclear catastrophe has not disappeared. Although a deliberate attack by the Soviet Union against the US or Europe is now almost inconceivable, nuclear weapons continue to pose significant threats to US security and world peace. These threats fall into three broad categories: a persistent risk of regional nuclear war involving countries other than the Soviet Union that are already in possession of nuclear weapons or capable of building them; the spread of nuclear weapons to other countries; accidental or unauthorized use. To meet this new challenge, three key steps must be taken: reduce dramatically Soviet and US nuclear arsenals; negotiate restrictions on the arsenals of other nuclear powers; strengthen the nuclear nonproliferation regime.
- OSTI ID:
- 6959007
- Journal Information:
- Arms Control Today; (United States), Journal Name: Arms Control Today; (United States) Vol. 21:9; ISSN 0196-125X; ISSN ACOTEB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
U.S. Department of Energy, Defense Programs, activities to support the safe, secure dismantlement of nuclear weapons in the Former Soviet Union
Nuclear proliferation: Will the Soviet Union's collapse spawn a new arms race
Related Subjects
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
350101* -- Arms Control-- Policy
Negotiations
& Legislation-- Treaties-- (1987-)
350200 -- Arms Control-- Proliferation-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
COOPERATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EUROPE
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
NATIONAL SECURITY
NON-PROLIFERATION POLICY
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PROLIFERATION
SAFEGUARDS
SECURITY
USA
USSR
WEAPONS