The US Role in Western Europe: Protracted War/Short War Question.
Abstract
This group research project contends that the US and the USSR are presently involved in a political and economic war. The project further establishes that the US and USSR are also major competitors at the military level. The Soviet threat to the United States is examined in three areas: economics, politics, and the military. Data was gathered by personal interviews with US and foreign military officers at SHAPE; representatives from strategic research institutes in London and Stockholm; and with US diplomats and Swedish government officials in Stockholm. Academicians and military officials at the USAWC were also queried. An analysis was made of the possibilities of a short war or a protracted war within Western Europe. The question as to whether the Soviets will attack and the better moment when they might attack is also addressed. The driving political issues plus the economic factors which may lead to a military confrontation in Western Europe are also presented. The Soviet government is currently beset with uncertainty as to which domestic and foreign policy options to choose. The US must strive for a sound NATO Alliance which can continue to deter the USSR. Containment must become a co-equal to NATOs policy flexible response. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 09, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA124514
Entities
People
- Darrel L. Erikson
- James A. Van Sickle
- James J. Stenger
Organizations
- United States Army War College