The INF Treaty and prospects for strategic arms verification

摘要

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty provides for the elimination of an entire class of nuclear ballistic missile systems, those with ranges between 500 and 5500 km, within three years. The INF Treaty was signed December 8, 1987, and entered into force June 1, 1988. Some of the details of the length treaty and its complex verification scheme are described, and US experience with implementing the treaty is examined. Verification problems are discussed.