International security

Five reasons why the US should not withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty

In October 2019, reports emerged that the Trump administration was considering a withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty. According to media sources, President Trump has already signed a memorandum to leave the treaty, but the United States has not yet officially initiated the six-month withdrawal process. Before it rushes to a hasty withdrawal, the Trump administration should consider five reasons why the agreement is worth keeping.

A quick flyover. The Open Skies Treaty was signed on March 24, 1992 by the United States, Canada, and 22 European states, and it entered into force on January 1, 2002. Today, the treaty has 34 members (the 35th, Kyrgyzstan, has signed the treaty but has not yet ratified it). The treaty requires each party to allow unarmed, fixed-wing observation aircraft to fly over its entire territory to observe military forces and activities on short notice. The host cannot declare any area or military installation to be off limits.