An Analysis of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty

Author

John T. Jones

Date of Graduation

Spring 1993

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

William Van Cleave

Abstract

During the Cold War the Soviet/Warsaw Pact nuclear and conventional force posture was the paramount threat to the security of the United States and its NATO allies. All NATO defense planning focused on it. However, the U.S. and NATO also relied to a certain extent on the arms control process to limit Soviet/Warsaw Pact military force superiority. In 1990, NATO countries believed they had significantly reduced the Soviet/Warsaw Pact conventional capability to invade Western Europe with the signing of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty. This thesis examines the CFE Treaty and its preparation, taking into account opposing doctrines and strategies and motivations for signing the CFE Treaty. Considering the changes in Europe and the former Soviet Union over the past two years, the thesis suggests that it is questionable whether the treaty's provisions will remain valid.

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© John T Jones

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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