Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)

The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) were negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War aimed at curbing the arms race, particularly nuclear weapons. Initiated in the late 1960s, these talks led to two key agreements: SALT I in 1972 and SALT II in 1979. The agreements sought to limit the number of ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads each superpower could deploy. By establishing frameworks for arms control, SALT aimed to reduce tensions and the risk of nuclear conflict, fostering a more stable international environment during a period of intense rivalry.