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This article examines the methodology needed to assess U.S. arms control positions and nuclear force requirements, focusing on official policy, public proposals for nuclear disarmament, and analysis that should precede these recommendations. The panel of experts discuss changes in the post-Cold War era that have effect startegic planning, potential threats and requirements of deterrence, and the need to maintain offensive and defensive forces; the authors suggest that arms control should focus on consultation, coordination and transparency, rather than the traditional bipolar startegy of treaties of Mutual Assured Destruction perpetuated during the Cold War.

Regional security in North-east Asia would be enhanced by theatre-missile-defence (TMD) cooperation between the US, South Korea and Japan. The importance of TMD deployment facilities in the region increased substantially in 1997, with China becoming increasingly assertive while North Korea is maintaining its missile programme. The US, South Korea and Japan would benefit from TMD deployments by South Korea and Japan, with South Korea in particular under direct missile threat.

Continued production and investment of B-2 bombers offers U.S. military policymakers the option of tackling both conventional and nuclear threats. The uncertain future of Russia and more nations possessing weapons of mass destruction can lead to a conventional or a nuclear conflict in the 21st century. US nuclear forces will suffer from reduced operational reliability by 2025 due to low funding of nuclear programs and arms control.

The successful implementation of Pres Bill Clinton's nuclear policy will discourage the use of nuclear weapons and restrict their proliferation. However, various domestic constraints and existing geopolitical realities have prevented the implementation of Clinton's guidelines for global denuclearization, which is the focus of future US nuclear policy. US positions on the future of nuclear weapons and the global non-proliferation regime is likely to remain ambiguous and unclear until existing domestic and global situations change to demand a definitive policy.

Focuses on the outline of the official United States' nuclear disarmament treaties. Emphasis of the US on the preservation of its capability in adapting offensive and defensive forces for strategic conditions; Focus on the size and composition of nuclear forces; Efforts of the US on the promotion of 'mutual assurance' in the deployment of nuclear forces.