Maintaining "peace through strength": A rejection of the comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

In this Essay, Senator Jon Kyl argues that the Senate's October 1999 reject ion of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was justified because it wa s flawed ineffective, and if ratified would have threatened the security of the United States. Senator Kyl believes ratification of the CTBT would hav e (1) jeopardized the safety and security of the United States nuclear arse nal, (2) failed to curb nuclear proliferation, and (3) been neither verifia ble nor enforceable. He recommends that, rather than signing on to the CTBT , the United States ensure its security, and that of its allies, through a strong military deterrent and better enforcement of existing agreements.