CFE: will it remain a "cornerstone of European security?"

On July 14, President Putin announced his decision to suspend Russian participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), a treaty that had been both surprisingly successful in the tumultuous post-Cold War era and highly contentious in its implementation. The motives for Putin's move are unclear and the consequences uncertain, especially in light of his recent more assertive Russian foreign policy decisions; and this essay, by a participant in the Treaty's negotiation clarifies its complexities, analyzes its evolution as European geo-politics have changed, and assesses its continued relevance for today. Figures. Adapted from the source document.