Crisis Communications between Superpowers

摘要

Ever since the United States and the Soviet Union first possessed the ability todestroy each other with nuclear weapons, they have been looking at means to defuse crisis situations and avoid inadvertent nuclear warfare. One of the means that evolved was the Washington-Moscow Hotline, put into operation on August 31, 1963. This was the first crisis communications system, ever, between superpowers and the first bilateral arms control agreement. Over the past twenty-seven years, this and other crisis communications systems have evolved and others have been recommended. Information was gathered using a review of the literature and through analysis of the views of key military and civilian leaders. Although opponents have many reasons for opposing crisis communications systems, the evidence supports the position that these systems have been a deterrent to war and that further improved crisis communications systems between the superpowers would be advantageous as we move into the 1990's. Keywords: Reports. (eg)