Extended Deterrence and Arms Control

This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from a conference on Extended Deterrence and Arms Control held in San Diego, California, in March 1986. It focuses on the main issues related to Soviet policy toward the West, extended deterrence and Alliance strategy, and the role of arms control. Most participants agreed that it is in the West's interest to continue to pursue arms control agreements. They believe that although the West has had difficulty in translating its strategic objectives into an arms control strategy, changes can be made to improve the West's position. In the near term, it will be important to reestablish a more coherent link between arms control and the requirements for deterrence. An enduring challenge for the United States will be the need to reassure its European allies of its continued commitment to Alliance security if arms control should lead the two superpowers down the road toward significant nuclear-force reductions.