The limited impact of the strategic arms limitation treaty

The strategic arms limitation treaty did not significantly impact the military balance of power between the US and the Soviet Union. While the agreements did not make World War III more or less likely from a military perspective, the treaty provided a platform for dialogue and negotiation, fostering a sense of understanding and comfort between the two sides. This exercise in communication may have laid the groundwork for future decisions, such as those made by Gorbachev. Despite the lack of substantial deliverables, the act of talking and engaging in the negotiation process held value in itself, akin to the sentiment that 'talking is better than not talking.' The process of negotiation and dialogue was considered more valuable than the actual outcomes on paper, following Eisenhower's belief that 'plans are useless, but planning is everything.'