What did the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty eliminate in December 1987?

What did the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty eliminate in December 1987?

• A. Long-range nuclear missiles
• B. Medium-range nuclear missiles
• C. Short-range nuclear missiles
• D. Nuclear testing

Answer: (B)

The Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), signed in December 1987 between the United States and the Soviet Union, specifically targeted and eliminated medium-range nuclear missiles. The treaty aimed to reduce the risk of nuclear confrontation by eliminating all ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. This was a significant step toward arms control and was particularly focused on addressing the proliferation of nuclear weapons in Europe, thus bringing about a major change in the strategic landscape of the Cold War era. The elimination of these medium-range systems reduced the immediacy of the nuclear threat in Europe and was a key factor in the subsequent de-escalation of tensions between the superpowers.

The Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), signed in December 1987 between the United States and the Soviet Union, specifically targeted and eliminated medium-range nuclear missiles. The treaty aimed to reduce the risk of nuclear confrontation by eliminating all ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. This was a significant step toward arms control and was particularly focused on addressing the proliferation of nuclear weapons in Europe, thus bringing about a major change in the strategic landscape of the Cold War era. The elimination of these medium-range systems reduced the immediacy of the nuclear threat in Europe and was a key factor in the subsequent de-escalation of tensions between the superpowers.