strategically placing weapons in such a way that they could take out the others’ capability to counterattack in a nuclear exchange, reducing their number of weapons to about 22,000. This remarkable difference in strategy was a possible reason for the Soviet’s downfall, as they had to purchase and maintain twice as many nuclear stockpiles as the US did. At the time of the talks, the US and Soviet Union had begun the process of creating anti-ballistic missiles which would protect them in the event that they were attacked with nuclear weapons. Interestingly enough, even this was seen as threatening as the nuclear weapons themselves.
Anti-ballistic missiles are surface-to-air missiles which are capable of countering ballistic missiles used to deliver nuclear, chemical, or biological warheads. The development of these systems were important to both the US and Soviet Union because it meant that they could protect …show more content…
During this period, the US wanted to ensure they would sustain the least amount of damage possible in a full nuclear exchange between the two states. An anti-ballistic missile treaty was first introduced by the United States at the 1967 Glassboro Summit Conference between two high level officials of the two states. The US held that ballistic missile defense could lead to an arms race, and that it may entice a state fielding the defense to strike first. Although the Soviet Union rejected this reasoning, following the proposal of the Sentinel and Safeguard decisions on US anti-ballistic missiles, the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks began in 1969. The Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA) was that they continue to engage in an arms race, one which could lead to a nuclear war. Neither side was willing to accept this alternative, thus the talks were inevitably
Anti-ballistic missiles are surface-to-air missiles which are capable of countering ballistic missiles used to deliver nuclear, chemical, or biological warheads. The development of these systems were important to both the US and Soviet Union because it meant that they could protect …show more content…
During this period, the US wanted to ensure they would sustain the least amount of damage possible in a full nuclear exchange between the two states. An anti-ballistic missile treaty was first introduced by the United States at the 1967 Glassboro Summit Conference between two high level officials of the two states. The US held that ballistic missile defense could lead to an arms race, and that it may entice a state fielding the defense to strike first. Although the Soviet Union rejected this reasoning, following the proposal of the Sentinel and Safeguard decisions on US anti-ballistic missiles, the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks began in 1969. The Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA) was that they continue to engage in an arms race, one which could lead to a nuclear war. Neither side was willing to accept this alternative, thus the talks were inevitably