On February 1, 2019, Professor Rebeccah Heinrichs of The Institute of World Politics appeared on PRI’s The World to discuss the recent announcement of the United States withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, due to violations by the Russian government. On the podcast, Professor Heinrichs discusses why the United States withdrew from the treaty and what the potential consequences of this decision could be.
The show covered some of the history of the INF Treaty and why the United States decided to withdraw from the treaty. Professor Heinrichs outlined the Russian violations of the treaty and the frustrations of the U.S. government in trying to negotiate with the Russians. Professor Heinrichs noted that, along with nuclear missiles, the treaty also outlaws the possession and testing of conventional Intermediate-Range missiles — something the Russian government continues to violate as well. Prof. Heinrichs noted that she agrees with the Trump Administration about withdrawing from the INF Treaty, citing multiple attempts by both the Obama Administration and the Trump Administration to negotiate with the Russian government to stop violating the treaty.
Professor Rebeccah Heinrichs concluded her take on the INF Treaty withdrawal by outlining what future developments between Russia and the United States could look like. Professor Heinrichs stated that since the U.S. is the only party not developing missiles, it is important for the United States to start doing so, in order to increase readiness and maintain a competitive level with the Russians. Prof. Heinrichs ended her remarks by stating there should not be too much worrying by the public on this situation.
At IWP, Prof. Heinrichs teaches a course on Nuclear Deterrence and Arms Control.