Solving the Strategic Equation: Integrating Missile Defense and Conventional Weapons in U.S.–Russian Arms Control

With the New START treaty extension, Moscow and Washington are on course for new arms control negotiations. The unprecedented breadth of strategic bilateral agenda issues means that any future talks would entail extensive linkages trade-off s in various spheres. article explores two domains inevitably have to be addressed negotiations – missile defense conventional weapons. Missile was an integral part U.S.–Russian from early on, most prominently reflected ABM 1972. However, a deep look into current state trajectory U.S. developments suggests instead focusing “strategic” interceptors continental U.S., aim should regulating mobile systems, which pose more significant threat stability might amenable limitations. Strategic weapons less clearly defined, there is experience with dealing them. On occasions where they were subject regulations, either banned or included nuclear forceslimits. many types weapons, it does not seem one-size-fits-all approach feasible. Some newer systems remain too niche impact stability. ubiquitous long-range cruise missiles framework asymmetric limits considered.