Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

Quick Facts: Who was Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty?

Subject:

Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

Known for:

Arms control treaty banning intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles between US and USSR/Russia.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) was an arms control treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union (and its successor state, the Russian Federation). US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev signed the treaty on 8 December 1987. The US Senate approved the treaty on 27 May 1988, and Reagan and Gorbachev ratified it on 1 June 1988.

Career & Major Achievements

The INF Treaty banned all of the two nations' nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and missile launchers with ranges of 1,000–5,500 km (620–3,420 mi) ("intermediate-range") and 500–1,000 kilometers (310–620 mi) ("shorter-range"). The treaty did not apply to air- or sea-launched missiles.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

By May 1991, the nations had eliminated 2,692 missiles, followed by 10 years of on-site verification inspections. President Donald Trump announced on 20 October 2018 that he was withdrawing the US from the treaty due to Russian non-compliance, claiming that Russia had breached the treaty by developing and deploying an intermediate-range cruise missile known as the SSC-8 (Novator 9M729).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1987: 1987 Milestone — US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev signed the treaty on 8 December 1987.
2. 1988: 1988 Milestone — The US Senate approved the treaty on 27 May 1988, and Reagan and Gorbachev ratified it on 1 June 1988.
3. 1991: 1991 Milestone — By May 1991, the nations had eliminated 2,692 missiles, followed by 10 years of on-site verification inspections.
4. 2018: 2018 Milestone — President Donald Trump announced on 20 October 2018 that he was withdrawing the US from the treaty due to Russian non-compliance, claiming that Russia had breached the treaty by developing and deploying an intermediate-range cruise missile known as the SSC-8 (Novator 9M729).

Notable Quotes by Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

“The treaty was a monumental step toward global disarmament.” (1988)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

True or False: “True or False: The INF Treaty banned all ground-launched missiles, regardless of whether they were air- or sea-launched.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The treaty specifically banned ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with intermediate and shorter ranges; it explicitly did not apply to air- or sea-launched missiles.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aaron Carter — Historical peer (Born in 1987) (1987): American singer and rapper known for teen pop stardom and enduring musical career.
• Afrojack — Historical peer (Born in 1987) (1987): Dutch DJ and record producer, known professionally as Afrojack.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Abdul Ghaffar Khan — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Pioneering nonviolent activist and founder of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement.
• Abby Stein — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Abhay Jodhpurkar — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): Indian singer known for songs in multiple South Indian languages and Bollywood hits.
• Aaron Klug — Historical peer (Died in 2018) (2018): Pioneering biophysicist known for crystallographic electron microscopy and nucleic acid structure.
• Alan Bean — Historical peer (Died in 2018) (2018): American astronaut, naval officer, and lunar explorer who walked on the Moon.

Frequently Asked Questions about Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty