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The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was primarily focused on regulating air-launched and sea-launched missiles.
Answer: False
Explanation: The INF Treaty specifically prohibited ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles, while explicitly stating that it did not apply to air- or sea-launched missiles.
The formal name of the INF Treaty included a specific mention of both intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles.
Answer: True
Explanation: The formal name of the treaty was 'Treaty Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of Their Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles,' explicitly mentioning both categories.
The INF Treaty was signed in Moscow, Russia, in December 1987.
Answer: False
Explanation: The INF Treaty was signed on 8 December 1987, at the White House in Washington, D.C., United States, not in Moscow.
Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev were the key signatories of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mikhail Gorbachev, representing the Soviet Union, and Ronald Reagan, representing the United States, were the principal signatories of the INF Treaty.
The INF Treaty became effective immediately upon its signing in December 1987.
Answer: False
Explanation: The INF Treaty was signed in December 1987 but became effective on 1 June 1988, after ratification by both parties.
The INF Treaty included a clause allowing parties to withdraw with six months' notice if their supreme interests were jeopardized by extraordinary events.
Answer: True
Explanation: The treaty explicitly stated that each party had the right to withdraw with six months' notice if 'extraordinary events related to the subject matter of this Treaty have jeopardized its supreme interests'.
What was the primary classification of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty?
Answer: A nuclear disarmament treaty
Explanation: The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was classified as a nuclear disarmament treaty, specifically aimed at reducing or eliminating certain categories of nuclear weapons.
On what date and where was the INF Treaty signed?
Answer: 8 December 1987, at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Explanation: The INF Treaty was signed on 8 December 1987, at the White House in Washington, D.C., United States.
Which of the following missile ranges were prohibited by the INF Treaty for ground-launched systems?
Answer: 1,000–5,500 kilometers (intermediate-range) and 500–1,000 kilometers (shorter-range)
Explanation: The INF Treaty prohibited ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 1,000–5,500 kilometers (intermediate-range) and 500–1,000 kilometers (shorter-range).
The Soviet Union's deployment of the SS-20 Saber in 1976 was perceived as a more formidable threat than its predecessors due to its improved accuracy and mobility.
Answer: True
Explanation: The SS-20 Saber offered significant improvements in accuracy, mobility, greater range, and multiple warheads, making it a much more formidable and offensive threat compared to the older SS-4 and SS-5.
President Jimmy Carter immediately called for the deployment of new intermediate-range missiles in Europe in response to the SS-20 deployment.
Answer: False
Explanation: Initially, President Jimmy Carter's administration considered existing strategic nuclear weapons and nuclear-capable aircraft sufficient to counter the SS-20, not immediately calling for new intermediate-range missile deployments.
The NATO Double-Track Decision, made in 1979, involved both negotiations with the Soviet Union and, if necessary, modernization of NATO's own intermediate-range nuclear forces.
Answer: True
Explanation: The NATO Double-Track Decision, adopted in December 1979, explicitly pursued two paths: bilateral negotiations with the Soviet Union to limit theater nuclear forces, and, if negotiations failed, the modernization of NATO's intermediate-range nuclear forces.
The US planned to deploy Pershing II launchers and BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCMs) in Europe as part of the NATO Double-Track Decision.
Answer: True
Explanation: As part of the NATO Double-Track Decision's modernization component, the US planned to deploy Pershing II launchers and BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCMs) in Europe to counter Soviet SS-20 missiles.
Formal INF talks began in Geneva in October 1980, immediately after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Answer: False
Explanation: Preliminary INF talks began in Geneva in October 1980, amidst strained relations due to the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Formal talks, however, commenced in November 1981.
Ronald Reagan's 'Zero Option' proposal called for the US to deploy more GLCM and Pershing II systems if the Soviet Union did not eliminate its SS-4, SS-5, and SS-20 missiles.
Answer: False
Explanation: Reagan's 'Zero Option' proposal called for the US to halt its deployment of GLCM and Pershing II systems *if* the Soviet Union eliminated all its SS-4, SS-5, and SS-20 missiles, not to deploy more.
The Soviet Union readily accepted Reagan's 'Zero Option' proposal, seeing it as a fair path to disarmament.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Soviet Union rejected the Zero Option proposal, arguing that both the US and USSR should retain intermediate-range missiles in Europe.
The 'walk in the woods' initiative was a formal proposal introduced by the US and Soviet delegations to break the INF negotiating deadlock.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'walk in the woods' was an *independent, informal* attempt by US and Soviet negotiators to bypass bureaucratic procedures, and it was never formally introduced into negotiations.
The 'walk in the woods' proposal was ultimately rejected by both Washington and Moscow.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'walk in the woods' proposal found little traction in either capital, being opposed by the US Office of the Secretary of Defense and rejected by Moscow.
The Soviet Union ended INF negotiations in November 1983 after the US deployed its first Pershing II missiles in West Germany.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Soviet Union terminated INF negotiations in November 1983 following the arrival of the first US Pershing II missiles in West Germany, viewing this deployment as a direct threat.
What Soviet missile deployment in March 1976 prompted the Western response that eventually led to the INF Treaty?
Answer: SS-20 Saber (RSD-10 Pioneer)
Explanation: In March 1976, the Soviet Union first deployed the RSD-10 Pioneer, known as the SS-20 Saber in the West, which prompted the Western response.
Who was the Chancellor of West Germany who, in 1977, argued for a Western response to the SS-20 deployment?
Answer: Helmut Schmidt
Explanation: Helmut Schmidt, the Chancellor of West Germany, argued in a 1977 speech that a Western response to the SS-20 deployment should be explored.
What was one of the two main policy 'tracks' of the NATO Double-Track Decision made in 1979?
Answer: To pursue bilateral negotiations with the Soviet Union to limit theater nuclear forces.
Explanation: One of the two main policy 'tracks' of the NATO Double-Track Decision was to pursue bilateral negotiations with the Soviet Union to limit theater nuclear forces.
Who led the US delegation when formal INF talks began in November 1981?
Answer: Ronald Reagan
Explanation: When formal INF talks began on 30 November 1981, the US negotiators were led by President Ronald Reagan, with Paul Nitze leading the US delegation.
What was Ronald Reagan's 'Zero Option' proposal, made in November 1981?
Answer: A call for the US to halt its GLCM and Pershing II deployment if the Soviet Union eliminated all its SS-4, SS-5, and SS-20 missiles.
Explanation: Ronald Reagan's 'Zero Option' proposal called for the US to halt its deployment of GLCM and Pershing II systems if the Soviet Union eliminated all of its SS-4, SS-5, and SS-20 missiles.
What was the primary reason the 'walk in the woods' proposal failed to gain traction in Washington?
Answer: The Office of the Secretary of Defense opposed it because it would allow Soviet missile deployment while blocking American ones.
Explanation: The Office of the Secretary of Defense opposed the 'walk in the woods' proposal because it would have allowed Soviet missile deployment while blocking American ones, leading to its rejection in Washington.
What event led to the Soviet Union ending INF negotiations in November 1983?
Answer: The first US Pershing II missiles arrived in West Germany.
Explanation: The Soviet Union terminated INF negotiations in November 1983 following the arrival of the first US Pershing II missiles in West Germany.
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher played a significant role in brokering the resumption of negotiations between Reagan and Gorbachev in the mid-1980s.
Answer: True
Explanation: British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher played a pivotal diplomatic role in brokering the negotiations between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986-1987.
At the Reykjavík Summit in 1986, Reagan and Gorbachev agreed to eliminate all nuclear weapons by the year 2000.
Answer: False
Explanation: At the Reykjavík Summit in October 1986, Reagan and Gorbachev agreed in principle to remove INF systems from Europe and establish equal global limits of 100 INF missile warheads, not to eliminate all nuclear weapons globally by 2000.
West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl initially supported the total elimination of Pershing missiles but later reversed his stance, becoming an obstacle to the INF Treaty.
Answer: False
Explanation: West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl initially *opposed* the total elimination of Pershing missiles but later decided to remove the joint US-West German Pershing 1a systems, thereby removing a significant obstacle to the treaty.
Who played a key role in brokering the restarted negotiations between Reagan and Gorbachev in 1986-1987?
Answer: British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
Explanation: British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher played a pivotal diplomatic role in brokering the negotiations between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986-1987.
What significant agreement was reached in principle at the Reykjavík Summit in October 1986 regarding INF systems?
Answer: To remove INF systems from Europe and establish equal global limits of 100 INF missile warheads.
Explanation: At the Reykjavík Summit in October 1986, Reagan and Gorbachev agreed in principle to remove INF systems from Europe and establish equal global limits of 100 INF missile warheads.
By the treaty's deadline in 1991, the United States had eliminated more missiles than the Soviet Union.
Answer: False
Explanation: By the deadline of June 1, 1991, the US had destroyed 846 weapons, while the Soviet Union had destroyed 1,846 weapons, meaning the Soviet Union eliminated more missiles.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the US primarily focused on preserving the INF Treaty with Russia.
Answer: False
Explanation: After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the US primarily focused on preserving the START I treaty with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine, as the disarmament of INF missiles had already been completed.
On-site inspections for INF missile sites continued indefinitely after the treaty's signing.
Answer: False
Explanation: On-site inspections of INF missile sites continued until May 31, 2001, as stipulated by a 13-year inspection agreement, not indefinitely.
What was the total number of missiles eliminated by the United States and the Soviet Union by May 1991 under the INF Treaty?
Answer: 2,692 missiles
Explanation: By May 1991, the United States and the Soviet Union had eliminated a total of 2,692 missiles under the INF Treaty.
Which of the following US missiles was destroyed under the INF Treaty?
Answer: BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missile
Explanation: The BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missile was among the specific US missiles destroyed under the INF Treaty.
Which of the following Soviet missiles (by NATO reporting name) was destroyed under the INF Treaty?
Answer: SS-20 Saber
Explanation: The SS-20 Saber (RSD-10 Pioneer) was among the specific Soviet missiles destroyed under the INF Treaty.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991, what was the primary focus of the United States regarding arms control?
Answer: Preserving the START I treaty with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine.
Explanation: After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States primarily focused on negotiations with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine to preserve the START I treaty.
When did on-site inspections for INF missile sites conclude, as stipulated by the treaty's agreement?
Answer: May 31, 2001
Explanation: On-site inspections of INF missile sites continued until May 31, 2001, as stipulated by the 13-year inspection agreement within the treaty.
The United States cited Russian non-compliance with the SSC-8 missile as the primary reason for its withdrawal from the INF Treaty.
Answer: True
Explanation: President Donald Trump announced the US withdrawal, primarily citing Russian non-compliance, specifically the development and deployment of the intermediate-range cruise missile known as the SSC-8 (Novator 9M729).
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concerns in 2007 that the INF Treaty unfairly restricted only Russia and the US, while other countries were unconstrained.
Answer: True
Explanation: In his 2007 Munich Security Conference speech, Vladimir Putin stated that the INF Treaty should be revisited as it only restricted Russia and the US, leaving other countries unconstrained.
Russia claimed its SSC-8 cruise missile had a range of 3,000 kilometers, which the US disputed as a violation of the INF Treaty.
Answer: False
Explanation: US officials claimed the Russian SSC-8 cruise missile had a range of 3,000 kilometers, violating the treaty. Russia, however, rejected this, stating its maximum range was only 480 kilometers.
NATO formally supported US claims of Russian INF Treaty violations in 2018.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2018, NATO formally supported the US claims and accused Russia of breaking the INF Treaty, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.
Russia counter-accused the US of violating the INF Treaty through its deployment of missile defense systems in Europe, which they argued could be retrofitted with offensive capabilities.
Answer: True
Explanation: Russian officials claimed that US missile defense systems in Europe violated the INF Treaty, arguing they could be quickly retrofitted with offensive capabilities, an assertion rejected by US and NATO officials.
US officials, even before the Trump administration, were concerned about China's arms buildup in the Pacific because China was a signatory to the INF Treaty but not complying.
Answer: False
Explanation: US officials were concerned about China's arms buildup because China was *not* a signatory to the INF Treaty, allowing it to operate without restriction, not because it was non-compliant as a signatory.
It was estimated that if China were a party to the INF Treaty, approximately 50% of its ground missile arsenal would have been outlawed.
Answer: False
Explanation: It was estimated that 90% of China's ground missile arsenal would have been outlawed if China were a party to the INF Treaty, not 50%.
The US President requires congressional approval to unilaterally withdraw from international treaties like the INF Treaty.
Answer: False
Explanation: A precedent has been established that the US President and executive branch can unilaterally withdraw from a treaty without congressional approval, as Congress has rarely acted to stop such decisions.
Besides Russian non-compliance, what additional reason did the Trump administration provide for withdrawing from the INF Treaty?
Answer: To counter a Chinese arms buildup in the Pacific
Explanation: The Trump administration also cited the need to counter a Chinese arms buildup in the Pacific, as China was not a signatory to the treaty, as an additional reason for withdrawal.
When did the United States formally withdraw from the INF Treaty?
Answer: 2 August 2019
Explanation: The United States formally withdrew from the INF Treaty on 2 August 2019, after suspending it on 1 February 2019.
In his 2007 Munich Security Conference speech, what did Russian President Vladimir Putin state about the INF Treaty?
Answer: He stated the treaty should be revisited as it only restricted Russia and the US but not other countries.
Explanation: In his 2007 Munich Security Conference speech, Vladimir Putin stated that the INF Treaty should be revisited to ensure security, as it only restricted Russia and the US but not other countries.
What specific Russian missile did US officials claim violated the INF Treaty in 2008?
Answer: SSC-8 cruise missile (Novator 9M729)
Explanation: US officials claimed Russia violated the INF Treaty in 2008 by testing the SSC-8 cruise missile (Novator 9M729), which they asserted had a range of 3,000 kilometers.
What was Russia's counter-accusation regarding US missile defense systems in Europe as a violation of the INF Treaty?
Answer: They could be quickly retrofitted with offensive capabilities.
Explanation: Russian officials claimed that US missile defense systems in Europe violated the INF Treaty because they could be quickly retrofitted with offensive capabilities.
What percentage of China's ground missile arsenal was estimated to have been outlawed if China were a party to the INF Treaty?
Answer: 90%
Explanation: It was estimated that 90% of China's ground missile arsenal would have been outlawed if China were a party to the INF Treaty.
What action did Russia take at the United Nations General Assembly in October 2018 regarding the INF Treaty?
Answer: It called for a vote to consider calling on Washington and Moscow to preserve and strengthen the treaty.
Explanation: In October 2018, Russia unsuccessfully called for a vote at the United Nations General Assembly to consider calling on Washington and Moscow to preserve and strengthen the INF Treaty.
What was Russia's response to the US ultimatum in December 2018, giving Russia 60 days to comply with the treaty?
Answer: Russia revealed their Peresvet combat laser, stating it had been deployed since 2017.
Explanation: In response to the US ultimatum in December 2018, Russia revealed their Peresvet combat laser, stating it had been deployed since 2017, a defiant gesture rather than a step towards compliance.
Russia's immediate response to the US suspension of the INF Treaty in February 2019 was to announce a 'mirror response' and begin developing new intermediate-range hypersonic missiles.
Answer: True
Explanation: Immediately following the US suspension on February 2, 2019, Putin announced Russia's own suspension in a 'mirror response' and commenced work on new intermediate-range hypersonic missiles and land-based 3M-54 Kalibr systems.
Following the INF Treaty's demise, the US tested a ground-based version of the Tomahawk missile, which had been previously banned by the treaty.
Answer: True
Explanation: On August 18, 2019, after formally withdrawing from the INF Treaty, the US conducted a test firing of a ground-based version of the Tomahawk missile, similar to the BGM-109G that had been banned.
Former Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev praised Trump's withdrawal from the INF Treaty as a necessary step for global security.
Answer: False
Explanation: Former Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev criticized the US withdrawal as 'not the work of a great mind' and stated that 'a new arms race has been announced'.
NATO chief Stoltenberg suggested expanding the INF Treaty to include countries like China and India after its collapse.
Answer: True
Explanation: NATO chief Stoltenberg suggested that the INF Treaty could be expanded to include countries such as China and India, an idea both the US and Russia had indicated openness to.
What new missile systems did Russia begin developing immediately after suspending the INF Treaty in February 2019?
Answer: Intermediate-range hypersonic missiles and land-based 3M-54 Kalibr systems.
Explanation: After suspending the INF Treaty, Russia immediately began work on new intermediate-range hypersonic missiles along with land-based 3M-54 Kalibr systems.
What type of missile did the US test fire on August 18, 2019, after formally withdrawing from the INF Treaty?
Answer: A ground-based version of the Tomahawk missile.
Explanation: On August 18, 2019, the US conducted a test firing of a ground-based version of the Tomahawk missile, a capability previously banned by the INF Treaty.
How did former Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev react to Trump's nuclear treaty withdrawal?
Answer: He called it 'not the work of a great mind' and stated 'a new arms race has been announced.'
Explanation: Former Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev criticized the US withdrawal from the nuclear treaty as 'not the work of a great mind' and stated that 'a new arms race has been announced'.
What new weapon system was developed and deployed by the US in 2023 following the INF Treaty's demise?
Answer: The Typhon Medium Range Capability weapon system
Explanation: Following the United States' withdrawal from the INF Treaty, the Typhon Medium Range Capability weapon system was developed and deployed in 2023, representing a capability previously prohibited.
According to Brazilian journalist Augusto Dall'Agnol, what broader context is important for understanding the INF Treaty's demise?
Answer: The gradual erosion of the strategic arms control regime, beginning with the US withdrawal from the ABM Treaty in 2002.
Explanation: Brazilian journalist Augusto Dall'Agnol suggests that the INF Treaty's demise should be understood within the broader context of the gradual erosion of the strategic arms control regime, initiated by the US withdrawal from the ABM Treaty in 2002.