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The Rise, Demise, and Revival of Arms Control: A Historical and Analytical Examination

Beau Carter

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Published in Winning And Losing The Nuclear Peace: The Rise Demise And Revival Of Arms Control

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In the aftermath of the devastation wrought by World War II, the global community was confronted with an urgent challenge: how to prevent the horrors of nuclear war from ever again being unleashed upon the world.

Winning and Losing the Nuclear Peace: The Rise, Demise, and Revival of Arms Control

by Michael Krepon

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	614 pages

The answer to that challenge lay in arms control, a set of agreements and initiatives designed to limit the production and spread of weapons of mass destruction and reduce the risk of nuclear conflict.

The Rise of Arms Control

The origins of arms control can be traced back to the early days of the Cold War, when the United States and the Soviet Union embarked on a nuclear arms race that threatened to escalate into a global conflagration.

In response to this growing threat, the two superpowers agreed to the first major arms control treaty, the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (LTBT),in 1963. The LTBT prohibited nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, underwater, and in outer space, a significant step towards reducing the risk of nuclear war.

The LTBT was followed by a series of other arms control treaties, including the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty of 1972 and the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) of 1979. These treaties placed limits on the number and types of nuclear weapons that the US and Soviet Union could possess, helping to stabilize the nuclear balance and reduce the risk of a nuclear exchange.

The Demise of Arms Control

However, the progress made in arms control during the Cold War faltered in the 1980s and 1990s, as the US and Soviet Union entered a period of renewed tension and mistrust.

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 further eroded the arms control architecture, as the US emerged as the world's sole superpower and the threat of nuclear war seemed to diminish.

As a result, many arms control treaties were allowed to lapse or were weakened, creating a vacuum in the global arms control system.

The Revival of Arms Control

In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent rise of new nuclear threats, such as the proliferation of nuclear weapons to non-state actors, there has been a renewed interest in arms control.

In 2010, the US and Russia signed the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START),which placed new limits on the number of nuclear weapons that each country could possess. The treaty has been hailed as a significant step towards reducing the risk of nuclear war.

Additionally, there have been efforts to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),which is designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons to non-nuclear-weapon states. In 2015, the parties to the NPT agreed to a new set of measures to strengthen the treaty and improve its implementation.

Challenges to Arms Control

Despite the progress that has been made in arms control, there are still a number of challenges that must be overcome.

One major challenge is the proliferation of nuclear weapons to non-state actors, such as terrorist organizations. This threat is particularly concerning given the potential for nuclear terrorism, which could have devastating consequences for global security.

Another challenge is the development of new types of nuclear weapons and delivery systems, which could undermine the existing arms control architecture. For example, the development of hypersonic weapons, which can travel at speeds of over Mach 5, could challenge the effectiveness of early warning systems and air defenses, increasing the risk of nuclear conflict.

The Future of Arms Control

The future of arms control is uncertain. However, the urgency of the challenges that we face requires that we continue to pursue arms control agreements that can reduce the risk of nuclear war and promote global security.

The path forward is not without obstacles, but it is one that we must tread if we are to create a more secure and peaceful world. By working together, we can build a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons.

This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the history, challenges, and future of arms control. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the complex and ever-evolving landscape of nuclear weapons and global security.

Winning and Losing the Nuclear Peace: The Rise, Demise, and Revival of Arms Control

by Michael Krepon

4.3 out of 5