Restructuring of Soviet foreign policy
Viewed historically, current Soviet attitudes toward foreign affairs, which suggest a more realistic Soviet adaptation to the international environment, may be interpreted as confirmation of a patient Western policy combining military strength and political flexibility. Ironically, many of the contemporary Soviet statements on mutual security and interdependence echo prevailing Western views of the early 1970s. In response to a series of aggressive projections of political-military power by the Soviets in the mid-to-late 1970s which culminated in the invasion of Afghanistan, the West - and especially the United States - quickly shed this rhetoric and downplayed arms control and collaborative security approaches. While the West remains transfixed by a late-1970s image of Soviet power, the Soviets are adopting approaches comparable to those widespread in the West in the early 1970s. To break this cycle, both sides must adapt creatively to the break that Gorbachev is making with important aspects of the Soviet past. The West can test the seriousness of Soviet initiatives by encouraging Moscow to continue developing negotiable proposals and practical approaches to issues of common security. 5 references
- Research Organization:
- Institute for East-West Security Studies, New York, NY (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6811152
- Journal Information:
- Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 44:2; ISSN BASIA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Negotiations
& Legislation-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
ATTITUDES
CONVENTIONAL WARFARE
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
FOREIGN POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
NEGOTIATION
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
USA
USSR
WARFARE
WEAPONS