Soviet Union's foreign policy environment to the year 2000. Final report, 13 January-23 February 1987

Technical Report · Mon Feb 23 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6420328

Rubinstein, A Z

The advent of the Gorbachev era invites comparision with the Khrushchev era years ago. Both leaders were confronted by major domestic and foreign policy problems, dilemmas, and choices. The similarities are striking: the struggle for power at a time of mounting economic and political dilemmas; the quest for rationalization of Soviet-East European economic relationships, subject to Moscow's continued control; the need to improve relations with the United States; the readiness to pursue Soviet objectives in the Third World irrespective of their adverse consequences for Soviet-American relations. The differences are significant and intensify Gorbachev's problem: Gorbachev's USSR is far stronger than Khrushchev's and is a credible nuclear power; Gorbachev has many more options in the Third World; the Far East is a major foreign policy issue; and U.S. influence in the international system is less in the 1980s than it was in the 1950s. The thrust of this analysis is toward essential continuity in the decade or so ahead. The Kremlin is confronted with growing domestic problems, but in foreign policy the following aims seem likely: preservation of the imperial system in Eastern Europe; improved relations with the United States, including arms control agreements if possible; normalization of ties with China and Japan; and competitive rivalry with the United States in the Third World.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania Univ., Philadelphia (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6420328
• Report Number(s): AD-A-179967/5/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

350100* -- Arms Control-- Policy
Negotiations
& Legislation-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
AGREEMENTS
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
CHINA
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
FOREIGN POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
JAPAN
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USSR