How Can Arms Control Raise the Nuclear Threshold in Europe?

Abstract

In discussing the potential contribution of arms control to raising the nuclear threshold in Europe, the general approach taken here is that there are already a number of good ideas on this subject, that some of them may bring some modest progress in the next several years, and that the political process in the countries of the Western coalition is likely to promote even more serious action within the decade. Despite a great deal of contrary evidence, it may be that the East-West military confrontation in Europe has already passed a watershed and, however imperceptibly and confusedly, is gradually running down. Something even more fundamental than the role of nuclear weapons in defence and deterrence may be involved.