Arms control and national security: revealed through two case studies

Abstract

The task of this research is to explore the relationship between arms control and national security. The author suggests that national security issues must dominate arms control initiatives and that the military command establishment should have an expanded role in shaping current arms control initiatives. The author considers two case studies to analyze this relationship. The first case study involves cruise missiles and reveals how issues such as politics, budgets, military missions, technology, stability and verification can impact on arms control negotiations and national security. The second case study shows the control that the military can and should exert in areas dealing with both arms control and national security interests. Lastly, the author proposes how the balance of arms control and national security should be achieved in the future. Theses. (fr)