INTERMEDIATE-RANGE NUCLEAR FORCES (INF) TREATY

About:

• Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty is a crucial Cold War-era treaty banning the development, testing and possession of short and medium range ground-launched nuclear missiles with a range of 500-5,000 km.
  
  
• The treaty, signed in 1987, was central to ending the arms race between the two superpowers, and protected America’s NATO allies in Europe from Soviet missile attacks.
  
  
• S. withdrawal: On October 20, 2018, the United States declared its intention to withdraw from the treaty on the ground that Russia has been violating it for many years. The announced withdrawal awaits Congressional approval in early 2019.