Date of Graduation

Fall 2012

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

John Rose

Abstract

Since the beginning of strategic nuclear arms control negotiations in 1969, Moscow and Washington have entered discussions with priorities to be met, though these differed greatly from one another. There were many driving factors for both world powers in seeking limitations and restrictions of strategic nuclear arms: one of the more pivotal for Washington was ensuring a sense of predictability, whereas a driving force for Moscow was to ensure a form of flexibility; other pivotal aspects will be explained within the paper as well. This thesis seeks to highlight the differences in priorities throughout the past five decades, as well as showing what outcomes these priorities produced. The potential for any future negotiations on strategic nuclear forces will also be considered, noting issues that may hinder such discussions. Priorities for any future strategic nuclear arms control negations are likely to carry forward, highlighting the continued relevance of reductions and verifications.

Keywords

arms control, ballistic missile defense, nuclear weapons, Russia, strategic stability, U.S.-Russia relations

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© Christopher Marc Archambault

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