The Current Debate Over Soviet Defense Policy
Abstract
Gorbachev's new political thinking on national security issues poses a profound challenge to the Soviet military. He has encouraged civilian intellectuals to actively participate in the formulation of Soviet defense policy, and, in so doing, has threatened the professional military's monopoly on setting the defense agenda. It is still too early to predict which of these two groups will take the lead in formulation of Soviet defense policy. Gorbachev's announcement of unilateral troop reductions reflects the views put forth by many civilian defense analysts. If however, the rumors that are true, this may signal the strengthening of the military's role in setting the defense agenda. The implications of Gorbachev's new political thinking on foreign policy and national security issues hold profound implications for the West, too. Over the last three years, the Soviet Union's actions, especially in the arms control arena, have proven that political thinking offers the West an unprecedented opportunity to address many of the most important issues facing mankind, including ares control and the arms race, human rights, and environmental issues. As Gorbachev's speech to the U.N. General Assembly demonstrated, the Soviet Union is ready and willing to seize the initiative on many of these issues. (EDC)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA215516
Entities
People
- Josephine J. Bonan
Organizations
- RAND Corporation