Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty

The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty), established in 1972 between the United States and the Soviet Union, aimed to limit the development and deployment of missile defense systems that could intercept incoming ballistic missiles. It was designed to promote strategic stability by ensuring that both nations maintained a balance of power, discouraging the arms race. The treaty restricted each side to a limited number of missile defense sites and helped foster dialogue on arms control during the Cold War. The U.S. withdrew from the treaty in 2002, citing changes in global security dynamics.