Is Trump Right to Nuke the INF Treaty?

Donald Trump’s announcement on October 20th that the US would withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was typical of his erratic approach to policy. Though the US had been concerned for some years that Russia was violating the agreement, the timing of Trump’s comments came as a surprise to US allies in Europe, for whom the treaty has been an important stabilising instrument for over 30 years. Without it, there will be fewer constraints on Putin’s newly assertive Russia.

ECFR: Commentary, 24.10.18: To INF or not to INF? How unilateral withdrawal helps Moscow get away with treaty violations https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_inf_unilateral_withdrawal_moscow_treaty_violation

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 22.10.18: Pulling Out of the INF Treaty Is a Mistake That Will Affect Us All https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/pulling-out-inf-treaty-mistake-will-affect-us-all

ELN: Commentary, 23.10.18: Can the INF withdrawal be a win-win for all? https://www.europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/can-the-inf-withdrawal-be-a-win-win-for-all/

Council on Foreign Relations: Backgrounder, 22.10.18: The Uncertain Future of the INF Treaty https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/uncertain-future-inf-treaty

---