homefands for the defence of tbeir arlies. The possibility is raised. that anattack night be launched and d.efend.ed. against by the use of theatre nucrear forces on both sides, thus leaving central Europe a nucleer wasteland. This possibilityis sonetimes referred to as d.ecoupling. 389. One further consideration which, on the other hand, may re-emphasize the intend.ed function of the nuclear umbrellas in Europe is that the suler-porvers possess a regional t'strategic" dinension in the deploynent of their nuc]€ar forcesin Europe. In the context of the al1iances e weapon systems such as pershing If,crui.se missiles, ss*20 and the Backfire bomber would have a strategic rather thana battlefield function. There is nown therefore, the prospect that the phenomenonof the strategic nuclear arms race betveen th€ supe"-powers, and- al1 the questions which it pos€s fol g1oba1 security, will occur on a sna.ll-er sca]-e in the nuropeantheatre and pose sini.lar questions on a mo?e linited. basis, Such is the somevhat uneasy balance that nuclear weapons p"ovide for the security of Europe. 390. Also in other regi.ons, where the security interests of the super-.porers nay beof a lower order or less directly engaged than in Eu?ope, their nuclear fieapons may be intend.ed for, or regarded as provid ing, an over-a].l aleterrent to attack by one super-Power on an a1ly of tbe other. Even without a formaf alLiance, there could. be a deterrent effect by one super-Powerrs nuclear capability against thepossible invol-vement of the other in a situation of regional conflict in whichboth sides perceived. irnportant national interests to be at stake. The probl-en^/ 35 / 392 English Annex Page 12\ here is that the tvo super-?oners (as do other States) sometimes perceive national .interests vhich go well beyond the promotion of their ornm national- security and affect the independence and sovereignty of other States' 391. The States ,rf a region can agree on arranger,rent s related to seeurity, a].ms
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the role of nuclear weapons in international relations, specifically in the context of European security and the relationship between the superpowers. The language used is technical and diplomatic, suggesting a focus on strategic and political issues rather than economic or social ones.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology