Recent Russian-Western tension has been of much focus. Following the annexation of Crimea, incre... more Recent Russian-Western tension has been of much focus. Following the annexation of Crimea, increased interests in the causes of division between Russia and the West have resulted in numerous explanations. This paper aims to add to the debate by explaining the impact of the termination of the Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty and the role of ballistic missile defense in the American-Russian strategic relationship. After reviewing relevant the role of strategic deterrence and missile deference, it then surveys a chronology of key events involving the AMB Treaty; including the Cuban missile crisis, the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Strategic Defense Initiative, and the emerging debates and threats following the Cold War that led to its dismissal. By highlighting defining moments of crisis and cooperation, it attempts to show the historic importance of the Treaty in defining and stabilizing the behavior between these two states. To further demonstrate the Treaty’s weight this study then reviews recent areas of cooperation following its dissolution like that of the NATO-Russian Council and how these efforts have been complicated by Russian objections to American-led missile defense programs like that of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA). In doing so, it hopes to add a new layer in the debate concerning explanations for the current crisis in relations by reviewing the Georgian and Ukrainian conflicts. It contends that the strategic implications of the ABM Treaty’s abandonment have been underestimated, and that the EPAA contributes greatly to the bifurcation of European security. The hope is that by identifying key areas of contention and their role in state relations, future areas of cooperation can be illuminated to mitigate the current crisis between Russia and the West.
Recent Russian-Western tension has been of much focus. Following the annexation of Crimea, incre... more Recent Russian-Western tension has been of much focus. Following the annexation of Crimea, increased interests in the causes of division between Russia and the West have resulted in numerous explanations. This paper aims to add to the debate by explaining the impact of the termination of the Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty and the role of ballistic missile defense in the American-Russian strategic relationship. After reviewing relevant the role of strategic deterrence and missile deference, it then surveys a chronology of key events involving the AMB Treaty; including the Cuban missile crisis, the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Strategic Defense Initiative, and the emerging debates and threats following the Cold War that led to its dismissal. By highlighting defining moments of crisis and cooperation, it attempts to show the historic importance of the Treaty in defining and stabilizing the behavior between these two states. To further demonstrate the Treaty’s weight this study then reviews recent areas of cooperation following its dissolution like that of the NATO-Russian Council and how these efforts have been complicated by Russian objections to American-led missile defense programs like that of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA). In doing so, it hopes to add a new layer in the debate concerning explanations for the current crisis in relations by reviewing the Georgian and Ukrainian conflicts. It contends that the strategic implications of the ABM Treaty’s abandonment have been underestimated, and that the EPAA contributes greatly to the bifurcation of European security. The hope is that by identifying key areas of contention and their role in state relations, future areas of cooperation can be illuminated to mitigate the current crisis between Russia and the West.
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