Trends and challenges in global arms control regimes: Implications for the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East

• Main Author: Lehman, R.F. II
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: 98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT; SAFEGUARDS; AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION; 29 ENERGY PLANNING; POLICY AND ECONOMY; AFRICA; ARMS CONTROL; MIDDLE EAST; EUROPE; NON-PROLIFERATION POLICY; NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT; Amchitka; Kamchatka
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/10180680; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/10180680

In another sense, however, the nuclear age and ballistic missiles long ago created a much smaller world in which the distinctions between global and regional security have been lessened. In an age of weapons of mass destruction, any point on the earth can find itself suddenly at the center of world attention. This makes it all the more important that we understand all of the arms control tools available, including global approaches. In discussing global arms control regimes, I will focus primarily on those that are open to universal membership such as the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) or which have global reach, such as certain export control and supplier regimes. It is important to remember, however, that certain regional, bilateral, and even unilateral arms control measures can have a global impact as well. One need only witness the impact of the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE). Despite its mere {open_quotes}Atlantic to the Urals{close_quotes} focus, the CFE treaty helped change the political and strategic calculations of the entire world. Likewise, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), with its headquarters in Vienna, is centered on Europe but spreads from Vancouver to Vladivostok (or perhaps we should say from Amchitka to Kamchatka), circumnavigating much of the northern hemisphere when measured the long way around via North America. The political significance of its successes and failures outdistance CSCE`s geographical spread.