Cornerstones of Security: Arms Control Treaties in the Nuclear Era ANNOTATION
This anthology presents the complete text of thirty-four
treaties that have effectively contained the spread of nuclear,
biological, and conventional weapons during the Cold War and beyond. The
treaties are placed in historical context by individual commentaries from
noted authorities Thomas Graham Jr. and Damien J. LaVera, which provide
unique insights on each treatys negotiation and implementation.
During the 1990s, numerous arms control agreements were concluded under
U.N. or U.S. leadership. In 1995, one hundred sixty-five nations agreed to
indefinitely extend the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Many nations
ratified important chemical and biological weapons conventions, a pact to
reduce conventional forces in Europe, and agreements to limit testing of
weapons of mass destruction. More recent treaties seeking to restrain
small arms trafficking and ban land mines are also highlighted and
analyzed.
Graham concludes with lessons learned from the collective negotiation and
verification history of these treaties, ongoing efforts to limit weaponry,
and general observations on the status and effectiveness of these
agreements. There is no comparable resource available for diplomats,
international lawyers, and arms control specialists.
Thomas Graham Jr. served as acting director of the U.S. Arms Control and
Disarmament Agency and as Special Ambassador for Disarmament before
retiring from government service in 1997. He is the author of Disarmament
Sketches: Three Decades of Arms Control and International Law. Ambassador
Graham currently serves as chairman and Damien J. LaVera as coordinator of
the Lawyers Alliance for World Security in Washington, D.C.
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