START II

Definition

START II, or the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty II, was a bilateral agreement between the United States and Russia aimed at further reducing their nuclear arsenals. This treaty was signed in 1993 but never ratified, reflecting the complexities of disarmament negotiations in the post-Cold War era. START II focused on limiting the number of strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems, marking a significant step in arms control efforts during a time when both nations were navigating the shifting dynamics of global security.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. START II aimed to reduce the number of strategic nuclear warheads to a maximum of 3,000-3,500 for each country, a significant decrease from previous arsenals.
2. Despite being signed in 1993, START II faced political challenges in both countries that ultimately prevented its ratification.
3. The treaty included provisions to eliminate multiple-warhead systems like MIRVs (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles) on intercontinental ballistic missiles.
4. START II was part of a broader trend of arms control agreements in the post-Cold War period, highlighting a mutual interest in reducing the threat of nuclear conflict.
5. The failure to ratify START II illustrated the difficulties in achieving consensus on disarmament amidst evolving geopolitical tensions and domestic politics.

Review Questions

• What were the primary objectives of START II and how did it build upon earlier arms control agreements?
  • The primary objectives of START II were to further reduce the number of strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems held by the United States and Russia, building upon the foundations set by START I. It sought to limit warheads to between 3,000 and 3,500 each and eliminate multiple-warhead systems. By addressing these issues, START II represented an evolution in arms control efforts as both nations aimed to enhance global security and reduce the risk of nuclear conflict.
• Analyze why START II was never ratified despite being signed by both parties, and what implications this had for future arms control negotiations.
  • START II was never ratified due to political challenges within both the United States and Russia. In the U.S., there was growing skepticism about Russia's intentions after the Cold War, leading to resistance against binding arms control agreements. In Russia, economic turmoil and political instability made it difficult to commit to such treaties. The failure to ratify START II cast doubt on future arms control negotiations, highlighting ongoing mistrust between the two nations and complicating efforts to address nuclear disarmament.
• Evaluate how the principles established in START II could have influenced international relations during its intended implementation period and beyond.
  • If ratified, START II could have set a precedent for cooperative disarmament efforts and strengthened diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Russia during a critical transitional phase following the Cold War. The treaty’s emphasis on reducing arsenals might have encouraged other nuclear states to pursue similar agreements, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability in global nuclear governance. However, its failure also revealed persistent geopolitical tensions that continue to shape international relations today, suggesting that effective arms control requires not only formal agreements but also mutual trust and political will among nations.

Related terms

Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT): An international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

START I: The first Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, signed in 1991, which significantly reduced the number of strategic nuclear weapons held by the United States and the Soviet Union.

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD): A military strategy and national security policy where full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two or more opposing sides would result in the complete annihilation of both the attacker and the defender.