Conventional Arms Control Revisited: Objectives in the New Phase

Abstract

Conventional arms control policy ought to be closely coordinated with defense policy, but the Western allies have been unable to do so. Linkage is difficult because of he institutional differences between force planners on the one hand, and arms controllers on the other. Aggravating the problem is the lack of a unifying framework by which outcomes in both areas can be assessed. The authors outline a three-step process for designing a unified concept for defense and arms control planning, describe the long-term coordination of the process, and identify principles that should guide NATO's conventional arms control planning.