June 14, 2002
The United States officially withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, a 1972 agreement with the Soviet Union that limited the use of missile defense systems.
Washington, D.C., United States | United States Government
On June 14, 2002, the United States officially withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, a pivotal arms control agreement signed in 1972 between the United States and the Soviet Union. This treaty was designed to limit the use of missile defense systems and was a cornerstone of strategic stability during the Cold War.
ABM Treaty of 1972: The treaty was signed on May 26, 1972, by U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. It limited each country to two ABM sites, later reduced to one, to prevent the development of a nationwide missile defense system that could undermine the deterrent effect of the other side’s nuclear arsenal.
Strategic Stability: The treaty was based on the principle of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), which posited that the ability of both superpowers to destroy each other in the event of a nuclear war would deter either from launching a first strike.
End of the Cold War: With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the geopolitical landscape changed significantly. The U.S. began to reassess its strategic needs in the post-Cold War era.
Emerging Threats: The U.S. government, particularly under President George W. Bush, argued that new threats from rogue states and non-state actors necessitated a reevaluation of missile defense capabilities.
National Missile Defense: The Bush administration prioritized the development of a national missile defense system, which was incompatible with the constraints of the ABM Treaty.
Announcement: On December 13, 2001, President George W. Bush announced the U.S. intention to withdraw from the ABM Treaty, citing the need to protect against potential missile attacks from rogue states.
Formal Withdrawal: The withdrawal became official six months later, on June 14, 2002, as per the treaty’s stipulation that either party could withdraw with six months’ notice if it decided that extraordinary events related to the subject matter of the treaty had jeopardized its supreme interests.
International Reaction: The withdrawal was met with mixed reactions globally. Russia expressed concerns about the potential for a new arms race, while some U.S. allies were apprehensive about the implications for global strategic stability.
Missile Defense Development: Following the withdrawal, the U.S. accelerated its missile defense programs, leading to the deployment of systems such as the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD).
Strategic Arms Treaties: The withdrawal marked a shift in U.S. arms control policy, influencing subsequent negotiations and treaties, including the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT) and later, the New START treaty.
The U.S. withdrawal from the ABM Treaty signaled a significant shift in international arms control dynamics, reflecting changing perceptions of security threats in the 21st century. It underscored the challenges of balancing national defense priorities with global strategic stability and set the stage for ongoing debates about missile defense and arms control in the modern era.
Source: www.state.gov