Arms control by other means

The years ahead may be a period in which traditional nuclear-arms control, as practised since the launch of SALT negotiations over three decades ago, will stumble at best and become deadlocked at worst. Instead, the US may ha ve to pursue its arms-control objectives through less formal, non-treaty-ba sed means. US-Russian nuclear reductions that are unilateral in principle, but coordinated in practice, could foster a cooperative restructuring of bo th sides' nuclear-force postures. More ambitious and integrated use of post -Cold War channels of nuclear cooperation - for example, the continuing Coo perative Threat Reduction Program - offer a means to reinforce and extend u nilateral actions, as well as to enhance the safety and control of Russia's nuclear arsenal.