ABSTRACT
Modern technology and nuclear weapons have made definitions for purposes of arms control negotiation more complex than ever. In the Mediterranean, if arms control is to reduce the frequency of local conflict and the potential for military violence, it must relate positively to the legitimate interests of the United States and the Soviet Union, and respect the local balance of power. Arms control objectives in the Mediterranean must be congruent with the European goal of keeping arms competition from reimposing Cold War politics in Europe. The original NATO position that only Central Europe should be discussed has been adopted by the Soviet Union. Soviet naval doctrine has sought to surmount this difficulty by creating an operational doctrine that emphasises missile-carrying submarines and missile-carrying aircraft. Reductions that lead to sizeable or complete redeployments are unlikely under present conditions but illustrate the serious issues of arms control in the Mediterranean.
