Euro-Atlantic Arms Control: Past, Present, and Future

Sandcastles, the really good ones, the ones that transcend simple piles of wet sand and shells and become works of art, are the product of meticulous and patient artists. Their chosen medium is mercurial and fickle. One errant move and the whole structure could fall apart. Similarly, their work is at the mercy of external forces beyond their control-high winds, a rough wave, or a passer-by bent on havoc. Over time, even with the best defences, sandcastles will erode and require reinforcement and rebuilding. It might seem a stretch to think of arms control treaties in the same way, but the similarities are striking. After all, diplomacy is an art, not a science.