1. Introduction

The end of the Cold War saw a return of the concept of arms control to the forefront of the academic and policy-oriented discourse on security. At the academic level, the end of the Cold War brought new conceptualizations of arms control. While the traditional neo-realist approach viewed arms control as an instrument for managing the balance of power between states and adjusting their military capabilities, the neo-liberal institutionalist approach conceptualized arms control as an instrument that could help to shape political perceptions of states, remove their security dilemma, and contribute to conflict prevention and possibly conflict resolution. At the policy-oriented level, the concept of arms control also gained considerable importance as an important mechanism for conflict resolution and security. In this context, Western powers have frequently advocated arms control as a conflict resolution strategy in conflict-ridden regions, such as the Middle East, South Asia and the Korean peninsula.