Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was a landmark arms control agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union. Negotiated during the final phase of the Cold War, it resulted in the verifiable elimination of an entire category of nuclear weapon delivery systems. The treaty is widely considered a major diplomatic achievement of the late 1980s, significantly reducing tensions in Europe.

Background and historical context

The treaty's origins lie in the severe escalation of Cold War tensions during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Soviet Union began deploying its SS-20 Saber ballistic missiles, which threatened targets across Western Europe and Asia. In response, NATO approved the deployment of American Pershing II missiles and BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missiles to several Allied Force bases. This period, often called the Second Cold War, saw massive public protests like the Nuclear Freeze Campaign in the United States and demonstrations across West Germany. Diplomatic efforts, including the Geneva Summit (1985), were initially stalled. The ascension of reformist General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, who advocated for glasnost and perestroika, created a new political opening. Following the Reykjavík Summit in 1986, negotiators made significant breakthroughs, paving the way for the final agreement.

Key provisions and scope

The core obligation required both parties to eliminate all their ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. This covered both intermediate-range ballistic missiles and shorter-range systems. The treaty explicitly banned the production, flight-testing, and deployment of such missiles. It required the destruction of launchers, associated support structures, and support equipment. Notably, the pact did not cover sea-based or air-launched systems like the American Tomahawk (missile) or the Soviet AS-15 Kent. The elimination process included methods like explosive demolition, burning, and crushing. Key systems eliminated by the United States included the Pershing II and the BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missile. The Soviet Union destroyed its SS-20 Saber, SS-4 Sandal, and SS-12 Scaleboard missiles, among others.

Implementation and verification

A rigorous verification regime, unprecedented for its intrusiveness, was a cornerstone of the agreement. It established the Special Verification Commission as a bilateral implementation body. The treaty allowed for both National Technical Means of verification, such as reconnaissance satellites, and extensive on-site inspections. Inspectors had the right to conduct baseline inspections at declared facilities and suspect sites, as well as continuous monitoring at specific missile production plants like the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant. This "anytime, anywhere" inspection right within designated perimeters was a radical departure from previous practice. The elimination process was verified through close observation, with over a thousand inspections conducted by both sides before the treaty's conclusion.

Compliance issues and disputes

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation assumed the treaty obligations. In the 2000s, the United States Department of State began raising concerns about Russian compliance. The primary allegation centered on the development and testing of a new ground-launched cruise missile, identified by NATO as the SSC-8 or 9M729. The Barack Obama administration formally accused Russia of a violation in 2014. Moscow denied the charges and levied counter-allegations, claiming American Aegis Ashore missile defense installations in Romania and Poland could launch offensive missiles. These disputes were debated within the Special Verification Commission but remained unresolved, eroding trust in the agreement.

Withdrawal and aftermath

On 1 February 2019, the United States, under the Donald Trump administration, suspended its obligations and announced its intent to withdraw, citing Russia's material breach. This withdrawal, formalized on 2 August 2019, terminated the treaty. Russia subsequently suspended its own participation. The collapse of the treaty ended all constraints on this class of weapons for both major powers. The United States began testing new ground-launched missile systems previously banned by the pact. The demise of the treaty has raised significant concerns about a new arms race in Europe and Asia, and has placed greater scrutiny on the future of the last major arms control agreement, New START.

Category:Arms control treaties Category:Cold War treaties Category:Treaties of the Soviet Union Category:Treaties of the United States Category:1987 in the United States Category:1987 in the Soviet Union