Attack on the Open Skies Treaty: president Trump wants to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty

Abstract

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will leave the multilateral Open Skies Treaty (OST). Russia could soon follow. The Trump administration would thus continue the US withdrawal from cooperative security and destroy an­other piece of the arms control architecture. Its continued dismantling, a new arms race, and the return of armed conflict and nuclear warfare scenarios threaten Europe's security and strategic stability. The OST permits cooperative observation flights over the territories of the States Parties. This allows for maintaining a minimum of military transparency and confidence-building, even in times of crisis. Such observation flights cannot be replaced by national satellite reconnaissance, especially since it is only available to a few states. Having the option to conduct independent observations is par­ticularly important for allies in regions of tension. Germany and European partners must make a strong commitment to maintaining the OST. (Autorenreferat)