YDCC: Focusing the Message: Immediate Priorities for US-Russian Arms Control

As arms control discussions commence in the US-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogue, Russia and United States should consider whether a single new arms control arrangement would be desirable, or rather if a framework of interrelated arrangements would be more conducive to success in future negotiations.

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Abstract

In addition to strategic offensive arms, three interrelated issue areas, distinct from one another but connected by technical and political considerations, should be considered as priorities: long-range precision-guided weapons, missile defense systems, and non-strategic nuclear weapons.

This paper contains an analysis of each of these three areas, including how they undermine strategic stability and present challenges to future negotiations, as well as recommendations for mitigating associated risks.

Policy recommendations

  • As arms control discussions commence in the US-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogue, Russia and United States should consider whether a single new arms control agreement / arrangement would be desirable, or rather if a framework of interrelated agreements / arrangements would be more conducive to success in future negotiations.
  • In addition to strategic offensive arms, three interrelated issue areas, distinct from one another but connected by technical and political considerations, should be considered as priorities: long-range precision-guided weapons, missile defense systems, and non-strategic nuclear weapons.

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