Securing Support from a Skeptical Senate for Further Strategic Arms Controls

The United States Senate is a forum in which those who doubt the efficacy of strategic arms control, either in general or regarding a specific proposed agreement, can often require arms control proponents to address their concerns. The most telling concerns that were raised regarding past arms control agreements will be specified and examined to gauge their likely impact on pending or future arms control issues. Particular attention will be paid to identifying: (a) those arms control objectives or arguments that are unlikely to secure broad support from a skeptical audience; (b) those arms control measures that are most likely to gain support even from persons who do not believe that a world without nuclear weapons is a feasible objective; and (c) areas in which science and technology can have a positive impact on the scope and success of further arms control efforts.