THE INF TREATY ROAD TO THE BREAKTHROUGH

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the diplomatic process that led to the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 1987, a landmark achievement in arms control. It traces the history of the Euromissile crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s, which saw the deployment of Soviet SS-20s and NATO's counter-deployment of Pershing II and cruise missiles. The study examines the key factors that created the conditions for a breakthrough in negotiations, including the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan, the role of domestic politics and peace movements in the West, and the cohesion of the NATO alliance. The research details the major negotiating hurdles, such as the "zero option" proposal and the issue of verification, and analyzes how they were overcome. The paper concludes that the INF Treaty was a pivotal moment in the late Cold War, representing the first agreement to eliminate an entire class of nuclear weapons and setting the stage for further, more comprehensive arms reductions.

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty of 1987 was a historic breakthrough that marked a turning point in the Cold War. This paper analyzes the long and arduous road to this agreement. The study begins by contextualizing the Euromissile crisis, explaining how the Soviet deployment of mobile SS-20 missiles targeting Western Europe created a major security dilemma for NATO. It details NATO's "dual-track" decision of 1979: to pursue negotiations with Moscow while simultaneously preparing to deploy its own intermediate-range missiles if talks failed. The core of the analysis focuses on the complex negotiations that spanned several years. It examines the initial stalemate and the eventual breakthrough that occurred following the rise of Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union. The paper highlights the crucial role of personal leadership, particularly the evolving relationship between Gorbachev and US President Ronald Reagan, who moved from a position of deep skepticism to one of pragmatic engagement. The study dissects the key negotiating concepts, from the ambitious "zero option" to the intricate and unprecedentedly intrusive verification protocols that were ultimately agreed upon. The findings suggest that the treaty was a product of multiple converging factors: a new generation of Soviet leadership willing to make radical concessions, the steadfast political resolve of the NATO alliance, and strong public pressure from anti-nuclear movements. The INF Treaty not only eliminated a dangerous class of weapons but also built the trust and momentum necessary for the subsequent, even larger, strategic arms reduction treaties.