Arms Control at a Crossroads

“Provides a comprehensive overview of international efforts to rein in nuclear weapons.” ―Shizuka Kuramitsu, Arms Control Today

“As the US wrestles with the reality of facing two potential nuclear peer competitors, understanding the opportunities and limitations of arms control is crucial for academics and policymakers alike. This important work will be invaluable in gaining that understanding.” ―Linton F. Brooks,  Chief US Negotiator for the START I and START II Treaties

"A much-needed primer on arms control challenges and prospects at a pivotal moment in international security.” ―Paul Bernstein, former Distinguished Fellow, National Defense University

 “A clear picture of the challenges facing arms control policy at a time of heated strategic competition across the globe.” ―Rose Gottemoeller, Stanford University

Is there a role for traditional arms control in today’s increasingly complex security environment? What new concepts and mechanisms are needed to make it valuable as a tool for managing competition and conflict amid the rise of new strategic domains and the spread of new technologies and weapons? Addressing these critical questions, the authors of Arms Control at a Crossroads review the foundations of arms control and cooperative security, highlight the perspectives of the major nuclear powers, and assess current initiatives and future potential for meeting the challenges ahead.

CONTENTS: 

• Does Arms Control Have a Future?―the Editors.
• THE FOUNDATIONS AND CONTEXT OF ARMS CONTROL.
• Deterrence and Strategic Stability―S. Foerster.
• The Evolution of Arms Control Mechanisms―J.M. Smith.
• PERSPECTIVES OF THE MAJOR POWERS.
• The United States―A.F. Woolf.
• Russia―S. Pifer.
• China―P.C. Saunders.
• ARMS CONTROL DOMAINS.
• Nuclear Weapons―D.A. Cooper.
• Proliferation, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament―R.D. Gibbons.
• Arms Control Monitoring Regimes―J. Anderson.
• Chemical and Biological Weapons―A. Moodie and M. Moodie.
• The Impact of Emerging Technologies―M. Favaro.
• Conventional Weapons and Novel Systems―A.J. Nelson.
• Arms Control in Cyberspace and Outer Space―G. Perkovich.
• THE WAY AHEAD.
• The Return of Geopolitics―D. Santoro.
• New Horizons for Cooperative Security―K.M. Kartchner.
• Arms Control's Uncertain Future―B. Roberts.

Jeffrey A. Larsen is research professor of national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and president of the Larsen Consulting Group. Shane Smith is associate professor of political science and director of the Institute for National Security Studies at the US Air Force Academy.