Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty

Recently, Russia officially declared that it no longer considers itself bound by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

About the INF Treaty

The INF Treaty was a pivotal arms control agreement signed between the United States and the Soviet Union (now Russia) in 1987. The agreement aimed to address the growing concerns of nuclear proliferation in Europe and the escalating arms race during the Cold War.

Objective

The treaty was designed to de-escalate the nuclear arms race by targeting and eliminating two categories of nuclear missiles:

1. Ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers.

2. Elimination of entire classes of weapons in the European theatre, where both the U.S. and the USSR had significant missile deployments.

Both parties agreed to destroy these missile systems, helping to reduce the threat of nuclear conflict in Europe.

Key Provisions

• Missile Destruction: The treaty led to the elimination of 2,619 missiles over a period of three years.

• Verification: Both the U.S. and the Soviet Union (later Russia) allowed mutual inspections and verification by observers to ensure compliance.

• Security: It was a measure to prevent the escalation of a dangerous nuclear arms race, particularly in Europe, where both powers had substantial missile arsenals.

The treaty came about through years of diplomatic negotiations during the leadership of U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and was seen as a breakthrough in the global effort to curb nuclear proliferation.

Present Status of the INF Treaty

In recent years, the treaty has been under strain:

• U.S. Withdrawal: The United States formally withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019, citing violations by Russia, specifically the development and deployment of new missile systems that allegedly violated the treaty’s terms.

• Russia’s Stance: Following the U.S. withdrawal, Russia has declared that it will no longer adhere to the treaty’s terms, thereby ending its commitments under the agreement.

• This means that both powers are now free to develop and deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles, further heightening tensions in global security.

Implications of the Treaty’s Breakdown

• Increased Nuclear Proliferation Risks: The dissolution of the INF Treaty may spark a new arms race, especially in Europe and Asia, as both the U.S. and Russia are now likely to develop and deploy new nuclear-capable missiles in these regions.

• Global Security Concerns: The treaty's collapse also raises concerns about the future of arms control agreements, as other nuclear powers might reconsider or withdraw from similar treaties, undermining global non-proliferation efforts.

• Geopolitical Tensions: With both countries now free to pursue new missile systems, countries like China and North Korea may also seek to advance their own missile programs, further complicating global security dynamics.