Variables Affecting Central-Region Stability

The 'Operational Minimum' and Other Issues at Low Force Levels

Paul K. Davis, Robert Howe, Richard L. Kugler, William G. Wild

Published 1989

The negotiations on conventional forces in Europe (CFE) include the principle of mutual reductions to parity at force levels below NATO's current levels. The participants' proposals set limits on equipment such as main battle tanks and artillery in the Atlantic-to-the-Urals region and various subregions. This Note provides an analysis of the following issues: (1) defining and estimating the "operational minimum," which is the operational-level strength of forces below which the feasibility of narrowly defined forward defense would be questionable (although by no means impossible) even under conditions of parity; (2) the significance for Central Region stability of the D-Day theater force ratio; (3) the potential stability at low force levels (i.e., below the "operational minimum"); and (4) possible CFE "stabilizing measures."

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1989
  • Pages: 82
  • Document Number: N-2976-USDP

Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

Davis, Paul K., Robert Howe, Richard L. Kugler, and William G. Wild, Variables Affecting Central-Region Stability: The 'Operational Minimum' and Other Issues at Low Force Levels. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1989. https://www.rand.org/pubs/notes/N2976.html.
BibTeX RIS

This publication is part of the RAND note series. The note was a product of RAND from 1979 to 1993 that reported miscellaneous outputs of sponsored research for general distribution.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.