INF Treaty Crisis: Background and Next Steps

This article, published by the Arms Control Association, provides some background and suggestions after Trump announced the suspension of the INF treaty. The article also provides next steps and some predictions about US and Russian responses. The INF treaty came into power after the Cold War to provide a check on the buildup of nuclear weapons.

Implications: There is a criticism of Trump as he announced the suspension of INF with no strategy of what the US will do to prevent the nuclear arms buildup. New legislation in the Senate might offer a solution, as well as confidence building measures and bilateral verification of weapons. ultimately, new START needs to be protected and strengthened if the US leaves the INF treaty.