ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the presence of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe and the political implications of this fact for the further development of East-West relations, as well as the prospects for building durable security on this continent. It presents several conclusions ensuing from these analyses, and, on the basis of these offers some suggestions which might stimulate thinking towards the search for a further improvement in East-West relations, an increase in mutual trust and in the sense of security. All nuclear warheads are treated jointly with delivery vehicles deployed in Europe, without distinction between tactical and strategic weapons. Many authors argue that, given the nuclear-strategic parity between the Soviet Union and the United States, there is no reason for the existence of the NATO concept of an armed conflict in Europe, in which solely conventional and tactical nuclear forces would be employed.
