The Federal Republic of Germany's Security Dilemma: Ostpolitik within US-Soviet Detente.
Abstract
Dentent has created dissension within NATO, dissension centered on the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). The FRG's contribution to detente - Ostpolitik - has made it both a focus of controversy within the Alliance and a prime target of Soviet pressure. Since Germany is vital to a stable European order, the German question has had high priority on the detente agenda. This thesis analyzes the unresolved German question, and the resulting West German security dilemma, in terms of the conflict and incompatibility between American, Soviet and West German designs for a future European security order. It suggests that inconsistent and vacillating American detente policies have helped to encourage the FRG to seek its own divergent accommodation with the USSR. The FRG's Ostpolitik will probably continue to be vulnerable to Soviet manipulation. Further discord in the US-West German alliance is therefore likely. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA161471
Entities
People
- Judith L. Gurney
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School