Arms Control: Arms Control: Behind Closed Doors

A story of intransigence, infighting—and perhaps missed opportunities

With their walkout in Geneva, the Soviets abruptly ended a complex and controversial episode in the history of arms control. Even if they eventually return to the bargaining table, it will almost certainly not be until after they have taken the military "countermeasures" that Soviet Leader Yuri Andropov listed last week. That escalation in the arms race would require significant changes in the negotiating approach of both sides.

The record of the past four years has been one of almost unremitting Soviet intransigence, intimidation and occasional doubledealing of the sort that...

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